STATION FORECOURT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21153, 9 April 1932, Page 8

STATION FORECOURT.

0: DELIGHTFUL DISPLAIY. PROFUSION OF FLOWERS. BRILLIANCY OF COLOURING. Sufficient time has now elapsed for the gardeners to obtain beautiful effects in the spacious forecourt that adorns the entrance to the new railway station. The area is under the care of the reserves department of the City Council, which lias already succeeded in making it one of the most ornamental spots about the city. Grassy flowers and shrubs all show evidence of the careful watering, mulc.h ing, manuring and general tending that has been given them. The brilliant flower beds are a sight to delight the eye, and placed so conspicuously as they are, they must give real pleasure to many thousands every day. They are certainly calculated to make the happiest impression On visitors just arriving in the city. Much success has been attained with tile lawn, which shows a rich, even green. The broad beds that surround it contain a miscellaneous collection of bright flowers yarying from time to time with the seaeon. Some Conspicuous Blooms. Brilliant salvias, cannas, dwarf boltness, gem dahlias, zinnias and marigolds are among the most conspicuous at present, but a closer inspection will reveal a wide variety of other garden favourites. The abelia floribunda stands out prominently and bronze leaied flaxes occupy corner positions. Variegated geranium forms part of the border scheme and varieties of fuchsia, many-hued phloxes, carnations, begonias, celosias (Prince of Wales feather), coxcomb, amaranthus, gerboras, antirrhinum, hydrangeas, violas, the white, feathery gaura lindhiermi and not a few more, each contribute a greater or lesser share to the whole attractive display. Some fine clumps of chrysanthemums are just opening out into their full beauty. Red geraniums form the base of the stone wall surrounding the central circle. Within this circle the beds are of the pattern type neatly traced with alternanthera and iresine surrounding begonias. There are stone seats there inviting the passer-by to enjoy at leisure the choice effects of (Nature working hand-in-hand with art.

The Phoenix Palms. The scene is certainly worth more than Hie fleeting glance which is all that most people have time to bestow when they are in the neighbourhood of a railway Station. The phoenix palms planted in corners of the lawn are now well established and are on a fair way to becoming fine specimens. Chrysanthemums are to make the next main show and they will be followed by anemones, ranunculi and violas in the spring. The conditions in the forecourt are not the most favourable for horticulture. The position is exposed and inclined to be very hot in summer time, but the success -with which these disadvantages have been already overcome leads the ?"P en "* tendent of. parks, Mr. T. b. Aldndge to predict with some confidence that in another year he vrill be able to .offer an even more attractive and delightful display. Already it is a real asset to the city.