PAEONIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21224, 2 July 1932, Page 8 (Supplement)

PAEONIES.

TWO DISTINCT SPECIES. Paeonies, herbaceous and shrubby or tree, as they are generally called, represent two distinct sections, both of which aro exceedingly ornamental. They are remarkablo for the ease with which they are grown, their hardiness and permanence when onco established. The size and colour, the fragrance of some of the varieties and usefulness for cutting and garden decoration are commendable features. The tree or moutan are gorgeous flowering shrubby plants that are largely cultivated in China and Japan.

CULTIVATION METHODS. Paeonies require a rich, deep, loamy soil; they do wellin partial shade. The soil should bo deeply trenched and well enriched with manure. The herbaceous varieties are very numerous. They succeed in any good garden soils. They form flower stems and die down to the surface annually. When in flower they are very effective and showy subjects wherever planted. They aro increased by divisions. The treo varieties are mostly grafted on stout roots of the herbaceous species. When worked upon thoir own species they sucker badly and the stock often takes possession. The paeonia moutan is largely grown in Japan and is represented by numerous varieties under Japanese names.

TREES AND SHRUBS. WORK TO BE DONE. All recently planted ornamental trees and shrubs should be attended to and properly staked and tied to prevent injury from strong winds. Staking is an allimportant matter and should be done at the timo of planting or as booii as possible afterwards. When the top of the plant is held secure tho young roots that aro produced as soon as the plant becomes established, aro better preserved, and not so likely to bo injured by the rocking of the top as if left unsupported. In tying the treo to tho Bupport some soft cloth or other material should be wrapped around the stem to prevent injury to the bark by friction against tho stake. PLANTING AND PRUNING. The planting of all permanent tree 3 and shrubs should bo carried on expediously and any pruning that may be necessary to established trees, both evergreen and deciduous, may now bo done. It may be necessary to lop off some branches to givo the tree a more symmetrical appcaranco or to prevent ovorcrowding. Borer-infested portions, where practical, should be cut off. Hedges composed of cupressus, macrocarpa and lawsoniana, as well as junipers and any other conifers, should be pruned this month when tho saji is in a most dormant condition. SPRAYING HINTS. Spraying is in many instances essential and should follow tho pruning. 111 Auckland's moist, climato trees and shrubs, both evergreen and deciduous sotm bocomo infested with moss lichen and other parasitic growth. This impairs thoir vitality and gives them an unsightly appcaranco beside harbouring many latent insects and eggs and well as scales and fungoid germs. For this purposo several proved remedies aro available. For deciduous trees and shrubs tho caustic alkali solution cleanses the bark and leaves it smooth and shining. A solution of white oil kills red spider, thrips, aphides and scalo insects and may bo applied to evergreen as well as deciduous subjects. Vermorito acts as a fungicide and effectually kills moss. Lime sulphur is also a much used and reliablo winter spray. Bordeaux mixture is mostly applied as tho buds of fruit trees aro swelling in tho spring, and for vegetables during the different stages of growth of some of tho kinds. Soluble sulphur has become popular as a fungicide mostly for brown rot and mildews.

THE GREENHOUSE. WORK FOR WET DAYS. There is plenty of Avork in ilio groenliouso now requiring attention, for in addition to tho requirements of the permanent indoor plants, tho raising and preparation of plants for decorating the outdoor beds and borders require to bo made. Where an early display of outside blooms is looked for it is necessary to have a good selection of suitable plants well advanced and sufficiently hardened before planting out, to ensure them against slugs. Most varieties of annual flowering plants are easily raised from seed when any reasonable convenience is at hand, in fact, the raising of tho seedling is tho easiest part of tho work. It is pricking them out into boxes and growing them on until sufficiently advanced for planting that entails considerable time and labour. This too, generally happens at a time when the outdoor garden requires considerable attention. It is when the weather is not favourable for outdoor operations that much of this work can be done. Many varieties of seedlings require very careful watching as soon as they appear above tho soil, as slugs are very troublesome at this stago and play havoc with tho young plants unless carefully watched and protected. As soon as the plants are largo enough to handle they should bo pricked out into shallow boxes, always allowing sufficient space between each plant, so that when ready for planting outside they can be lifted with a good ball of soil attached to tho roots.