RAILWAY GARDENS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22864, 20 October 1937, Page 22

RAILWAY GARDENS

ATTRACTIVE DISPLAY NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS REMARKABLE DEVELOPMENT Convincing proof that New Zealand native shrubs and trees are of sufficiently rapid growth to furnish any garden in a comparatively short period is provided at the Auckland railway station, where one of the finest displays of native plants in or about -Auckland is rapidly being developed. Ihree years ago, a few small shrubs graced a reserve adjacent to the main arrival platform, and an inspection yesterday revealed that careful attention and warm sunshine had produced eminently satisfactory results. A puriri, which three years ago was barely 7ft. high, has grown to fully loft., while a graceful young kauri has grown from a height of IPin. to 6ft. in the same period. Karakas, manukas, native flax, the beautiful bronze ake-ake and whauwhau-paku all are doing remarkably well. A semi-circular avenue of the incomparable yellow kowhais has been planted along one side of tho reserve. Plants in Tubs In the concourse, all varieties of native trees , and shrubs are coming filonEC equally well in tubs, while hanging "baskets of asplenium lucidum, a native fern, are.very effective. Particularly suitable for display in tubs is tho tito'ki, a tree of tender green foliage and graceful symmetry, which remarkably well indoors. Lighting difficulties in the main vestibule' are held responsible for the fact that few plants thrive so readily there, although great success has been achieved with the majestic ISew Zealand king fern and flaxes of various types. Hardening Oft Young Plants Hundreds of plants are being nurtured on the roof gardens on the main 6tation building, where they are graduallv "fitted for the changeable Auckland climate by a system or hardening oft. A further collection of some 200 small clematis plants will be potted as soon as possible, and in the autumn they will, be planted out round the station wails. • . i , Of the 20.000 seedlings raised to provide the main summer show of flowers, already half have been planted out, and the remainder are being hardened ofr in open frames ready to bo transferred as the various spring flowers finish. Although it will be some months before the station gardens develop into their ] richest blaze of colour, there is already ] a very attractive display of flowers.

Photographs taken at the railway station yesterday appear on page 1~.