FORGET-ME-NOTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21462, 8 April 1933, Page 8 (Supplement)

FORGET-ME-NOTS

HARDY AND DECORATIVE ♦ ' Myosotis or iorget-me-nots are extremely hardy and most floriferous and are of the easiest cultivation. When grown in abundance and planted in large masses none of the spring flowers are m6re appreciated. All of the colours are beautiful from the clear pink and pure white to the brilliant royal blue. The common blue-flowering annual .variety sends up an abundant crop from Belf-sown seeds, becomes naturalised, and produces a pleasing display, especially on. banks during the spring. Myosotis are now largely grown in pots for the London flower market, royal blue being the popular variety for pot culture. The flowers are of the deepest blue and are excellent for cutting and are also popular for spring gardening. MIMULTTS Mimulus is an attractive class of Swarf, hardy, free-flowering plant that is not sufficiently appreciated by our growers. The beautiful spotted and blotched flowers of the tigrinus type "with yellow ground, have a brilliant effect in. beds and borders. Mimulus thrive in moist situations and are specially adapted for our winter conditions. Seedlings planted in May flower freely during the winter as they are quite hardy. r • * / ' LINARIAS The annual linaria is quite hardy and produces varied and beautiful flowers resembling miniature antirrhinums. The flowers are useful for cutting. Planted or sown in clumps they produce a pleasing effect. Seeds may be sown or seedlings planted now.

NEMESIAS Nemesias when in full flower during the spring and early summer months are an attractive feature in any garden. Seeds sown now under glass, and the seedlings, when ready, pricked out into shallow plant trays and properly hardened off, are suitable for bedding out. For early planting the situation should be well sheltered, the soil well drained, fairly light, and also frost free. Nemesias are best suited for spring bedding. Any that are planted now must be given the most favourable conditions. The large-flowered nemesias in a wide range of colours are unsurpassed among early-flowering annuals and are admirably adapted for late spring bedding. They may also be grown in pots for winter greenhouse flowering. The dwarf hybrids are very compact in their habit of growth and are most flcriferous. r CAMPANULAS Campanulas are delightfully graceful subjects for borders, beds, and also for the rock garden. In fact, they can be grown with tho greatest of ease in nil gardens. Pyramidalis, the chimney campanula, produces its' blue and pure white flowers on tall flower stems. They are striking border plants. Tho different .varieties of Persicifolia and Carpatheca are of dwarf habit, producing their handsome bell-shaped flowers in blue ■and white colours. Tho double' white Persicifolia grandifiora is very attractive. Campanula garganica, a trailing species, is a gem for the rock garden. Campanula grandifiora produces large, glistening, -deep blue fioWers on erect stems. The preceding aro perennials. The biennial varieties, calycanthema end media, commonly called Canterbury bells, are extremely showy in tho mixed border and edges of the shrubbery when profusely covered with large, bell-shaped blooms in various shades. The calycanthemas produce the cup-nnd-saucer flowers. The media produce double and singlo flowers on tall branching stems in blue, pink, white and mauvo shades. All of the campanula, being hardy, may be planted now.

ATJBRETIAS Aubretias aro spring-flowering, hardy, iftwarf-growing perennials. They produce great masses of pale mauve, rich purple and rose coloured flowers, and are charming companions to yellow alyssum find white Arabia. Wide borders of aubretia make a wonderful display during the spring. They may be propagated from seeds or by divisions and planted in autumn when required for spring flowering. They aro suitable spring bedding, edges and rock work subjects, producing the best results the .second year, when the plants spread out forming large chimps or wide borders. PERENNIAL LUPINS Lupinus polyphyllus have been /greatly improved during the last few ; years. They are among tho most useful hardy perennials for tho mixed bor'der. Their popularity is evident from the many beautiful exhibits to bo seen at the principal spring and summer shows throughout Britain. Their long spikes of delicately-scented flowers are freely produced in striking colours. In

this class of flower, the crimson, pink, golden, mauve, violet, purple, salmon and buff coloured are most attractive. They arc easily raised from seeds and may bo planted singly or in clumps in ' the mixed border during tho autumn, allowing each .plant fsufficient .room to t develop.