SPRING FLOWERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22823, 2 September 1937, Page 12

SPRING FLOWERS

DELAY, IN DISPLAYS CITY PARKS AND RESERVES Bright sunshine yesterday marked what is regarded, according to the calendar, as the first day of spring, but comparatively few spring flowers have yet bloomed in the city parks and reserves. The wet autumn and winter delayed the planting of early flowering stocks, anemones and ranunculus, and it will bo about a fortnight, given fine weather, before the displays are at their best. Many gardeners would no doubt be tempted by tho fine weather to bepin bedding out the less Aardy spring flowers, but the City Parks and Reserves Department, working on a large scale, and planting thousands of each variety, has found that it pays to wait until October, for gales are likely to undo the work.

In Albert Park polyanthus, which thrive in wet weather, are blooming, the poppy beds mako a colourful display, and the aloes have been in flower for some time. Tulips have appeared above the ground. In the meantime the staff is preparing dahlias, gladioli and bulbs for mass planting. The changes in the weather were not the only difficulty met in raising the poppies. Seagulls have a taste for the buds, and out of 500 of these young plants it is not unusual for the gulls to destroy 100. With the flower beds in a more sheltered position, growth in the Domain is farther advanced, scarlet anemones, primulas and cinerarias being in flower. Parnell Park is rather baro of flowers, but in November the numerous varieties of roses, will bo in bloom. An additional plot lias been laid out between the original garden and the kiosk.

Since it has taken over tho golf links at Western Springs tho Parks and Reserves Department has almost 7000 acres under its control, and tho growth of the grass induced by tho milder weather has kept tho staff busy with the mowers.