THE POPULAR DAPHNE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20898, 13 June 1931, Page 8 (Supplement)

THE POPULAR DAPHNE.

EVERYBODY'S FLOWERS. Daphnes aro the most-prized of dwarfgrowing shrubs for winter and spring flowering. They are everybody's flowers > and are found in most gardens. They require a well-drained, free, loamy soil. 'A mixture of volcanic soil, turfy loam and a little sand incorporated with the soil when first planting is ideal. Aftor first planting the young, healthy, wellrooted plants they may bo allowed to grow into permanent flowering shrubs. The roots must not be interfered with when digging near them. An annual kop-dressing during the summer with some well-rotted manure is helpful to old-est-ablished flowering plants. Cutting tho flowers provides sufficient pruning. Daphne odora, the white variety, is a general favourite. Daphne odora rubra, y tie pink-flowered variety, is a stronger grower and on that account more generally planted. 'The flowers of both varieties aro sweetly scented. Daphne Genkws. produces a profusion of lilac flowers before the leaves appear in the spring. There are several other hardy varieties. .The variety aneorum (the garland flower), an evergreen hardy trailing shrub, beam its flowers in clusters and is a valuablo rock-garden plant. Daphne laureola (thij spurge laurel), is an evergreen shrub, th.j berries of which are very poisonous. Pimelia longifolia (the New Zealand daphne) is a pretty little shrub. It has sweetly-scented white flowers sometimes tinged with rose. / ' LUCULIAS. ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS* Luculia gratissima (very grateful), £,n exceeding ornamental evergreen shrub ard a native of the temperate Himalayas, is one of the finest winter-flowering shrubs ; in cultivation. Its handsome, sweetlyscented, rose-coloured, bouvardia-li.'a l flowers are freely produced in trusses at the end of every twig and terminal branch and are invaluable for / the decoration of the garden and mixed shrubbery. They are especially welcomad at present, when there is such a scarcity of flowering shrubs and other plants. The Luculia is easily raised from seeds, and propagated from layers. Since the introduction of this best-of-all winterflowering shrubs, it has become extensively grown and distributed. it requires a / deep, fairly light soil where the root action is free to penetrate and the roots aro not interfered with. Splendid specimens of this beautiful flowering 6hrub / may be seen at the Auckland Racing Club's ground at Ellerslie and other localities. It will not succeed where heavy frosts occur. There is also a white-flowered [variety and also a species with iarger c.nd more fragrant flowers from the mountains of Khasia. The leaves are smaller and quite globrous. This species, named Pinceana (Pinces), has not so far been introduced here. CASSIA FAMILY. ATTRACTIVE SPECIES. / " Cassia floribunda, an attractive evergreen shrub, bearing a profusion of golden- / yellow blossoms, is worthy of special notice at this season, when flowering shrubs aro so very scarce. It is propagated from seeds and will succeed in almost any soil or situation. Being of quick growth it soon comes into flower. > Cassia candolliana, another exceedingly handsome variety, bearing a profusion of bright, golden-yellow flowers during the W)»ter, is of slower growth arid no'; as easily propagated. Cassia Marylandica, a very hardy Bppcies from North America, is a dislinct yellow-flowered species. Cassia enliven the garden and grounds during the winter with their bright, yellow blpsiioms fend pretty foliage. CHINESE GOOSEBERRY. < A LUSCIOUS FRUIT. Actinidia Chinenesis, the Chinese gooseberry, is a remarkable climber of distinct j foliage and vigorous growth. It produces a luscious fruit much esteemed for dessert as well as for jam and jelly. The leaves are broad and bright green, and tho young growths aro covered with reddish [ hairs. Io secure crops of fruits it is necessary to plant both male and female , vines. As seedlings cannot be depended 1 upon to produce the necessary sexes for pollenation purposes resort must be had N to plants propagated by grafting. One f male to about five or six females, arranged at regular distance in tho rows, is sufli- 1 cient. f Grafts should be taken from the largest ' and best-flavoured fruiting old vinos, as J those produced from seedlings vary very ' much in size and quality. For cornincrcial planting it is most important to grow 1 the best type. The distanco apart to s plant should not be closer than 1011., as c each plant with age produces long nboots. * Against a fence or to train upon a trellis c are the best methods of training. Tho ' fruits ripen in June and extend, into July, s and should bo allowed to remain upon the 1 vines until well matured. For ■ irivate t use and commercial purposes this fruiting i Slant may be profitably cultivated. r