WALL GARDENING

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1695, 24 August 1904, Page 70

WALL GARDENING

Not least among the many interesting phases of gardening is that having for its object the beautifying of garden walls, in whatever position these perchance may be found, and whether the aspect be one of sun or shade there is the choice of an ample supply of suitable plants. The idea of clothing such walls with vegetation is not new by any means; indeed, nearly 30 years ago the present writer had charge of several hundred yards of such walls some of which, having been purposely erected for plant growing, were furnished with plants on both sides. Other walls traversing woodland and similar scenery were well suited to shadeloving plants, such as Ferns, etc., and others in varying positions were planted with species best suited to the circumstances.

Among the different types of walls that may be employed the two-faced wall ; s excellent where it is possible. Purposely built with bad mortar, or such as contains little lime, a goodly portion of the upper part is hollow, to admit of the space being filled with soil. Not only may plants growing in such a wall be readily watered from the too. but the wall affords means for cultivating them perfectly. The retaining wall is of another type, aud whether built of brick, burrs or stone, of which the latter is by far the most picturesque and suitable for plant growing, arangements should be made so that the top of the wall leans towards the body of soil retained by it. In addition to this, and especially in the brick wall, the courses should be set back in such a way that the moisture is retained on the ledge and conveyed to the roots of the plant. Large joints or special openings for the plants are necessary. Where pos.s sible, in stone walls, the planting should be done with the biu.uiug of the wall, and in this way it is quite easy to form colo-

nies, and to make a creditable display in one season. The moisture laden portion of the year i.s the best season for planting, and small plants as, e.g., seedlings or rooted cuttings, are those that should be chosen in most cases. The list of suitable plants is a formidable one. Everything depends upon circumstances. \Vhalts especially obvious in this phase of gardening is that many plants assume a more pigmy stature than usual, and this adds greatly to their attractiveness.—o. H Jenkin, in the “Gardeners’ Chronicle."