MARIGOLDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20988, 26 September 1931, Page 8 (Supplement)

MARIGOLDS.

PROLIFIC BLOOMS. Next in order of merit to tlic phlox drummondii rank the dwarf French marigolds in all their glorious array of double and single flowerers. They are of the easiest cultivation and are splendid dry weather subjects and most prolific flowerers. In tiie autumn, when many of the summer-flowering annuals are past their prime, the dwacf French marigolds afford a wealth of colour that is invaluable. The single-flowered dwarf French types, represented by the Legion of Honour, Josephine and others, have become great favourites. The flowers are bright red, striped with yellow, clear yellow blotched with brown and deep crimson striped golden yellow. They are much prized for cutting anci are available when there is a scarcity of other flowers after the chrysanthemum:* are past. OTHER VARIETIES. The dwarf double French varieties of marigolds have attractive colours and markings, some being elegantly striped and spotted or blotched. The yellow ground 'with rich brown markings is unique. They are valuable for beds, groups or planting near the borders. Arrange therri about Bin. apart. The tall French varieties comprise similar colours. They take up much room. The tall-growing African marigolds in two colours, orange and lemon in enormous double-flower heads, should be placed in the background and planted quite 18in. apart to allow each plant ample room to throw out side branches and properly develop. These marigolds transplant readily and are of the easiest culture. ANNUAL PHLOX. • GORGEOUS DISPLAYS. Large beds and groups of annual phlox drummondii grandiflora (large flowers), in the best mixture of its many beautiful colours, make a gorgeous display throughout the summer, and by successional plantings into tjie early winter. This is probably our most showy and the best of all flowering annuals. The plants are easily raised and established in plant trays for bedding out at various intervals from now until the end of December and later. Arrange the plants about Bin. apart in groups in the mixed border or in large-sized beds in soil that has been deeply dug and manured. A little blood and bone, or Peruvian guano dusted on the surface before inserting the seedlings is advised. SPLENDID DRY WEATHEE! PLANTS. Phlox drummondii is a splendid dry weather plant and keeps free from ail diseases, a point in its favour when so many other summer-flowering plants are subject to diseases and the attacks of caterpillars and other insects. The colours range from beautiful pure whites to the most brilliant scarlets and crimsons, with intermediate shades of pink, rose, salmon, rose, yellow, mauve, blue and carmine. Some have conspicuous white eyes which add to their beauty. In addition, there is the star-flowered phlox, an improved strain of the fringed. By a select mixture the 'phlox, when in full flower, is the most striking floral feature of the summer garden. T)io annual phlox owes its origin to Texas. FLOWERING CHERRIES. . JAPANESE VARIETIES. Japanese flowering cherries are most attractive hardy spring flowering deciduous trees and shrubs. They are remarkable for the softness and exuberance of the pendant blossoms, every branch and twig being wreathed in lovely flowers, single and double. The variety Mount Fuji is extremely beautiful wLJi its large trusses of the purest white double blossoms. Other colours comprise beautiful double and semi-double rose-coloured flowers and bright pink. Some of the single-flowered varieties are fall growers suitable for park and roadside plantations and avenues. Planted as single specimens these flowering cherries arc most adaptable. In Japan the cherry season lis one of the floral features of the country, attracting visi on-, from far and near.

TOMATO CROPS. HINTS FOR PLANTING. The planfiii;- <if tomatoes usually extends from the pi. ; / month until well into November, wlitie success is often obtained by even later planting. This season, however, little lias been gained by very early planting in the open ground. In seasons such as the present it is almost impossible to give any definite advice for planting, as soils and situations vary so widely. In positions, for instance, having a north or north-easterly aspect and sheltered from the cold westerly winds, or planted against a warm fence or wall,' plants may succeed and grow well, where failure would result ii, less favourable positions. Care and judgment must I exercised in planting.