THE BOTANIC GARDENS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14577, 16 July 1909, Page 11

THE BOTANIC GARDENS

DISPLAY IN THE WINTER HOUSE. Tlio bright spot in tho Botanic Garden", at this time of tlie ycm is tiro Winter Garden, where (he 'tween reasons have but little, if any, effect. Outside the cultivation spaces are in a siato of transition; ■plots are being done up, beds, extended, and tilings generally got in readiness for -.he njyroaehing spring. Within the largo glim house, however, there is an amplitude a /.Jour and variety, and on all sides there il much to attract the casual observer anil to interest the student of horticulture. The chrysanthemums are, of course, all past and the space they occupied in the temperate section has been given over to later ilov;er;iig varieties of plants. Upon entering this section from the Gardens, one is at once, struck by the splendid display of xorsiau cyclamens, which are most J v sellings raised by the Gardens' stall'. The collection this year is very strong in dark emmons, but the pride of place must lie given lo a white, the- bloom's on which era exceptionally large. The cyclamens will constitute an attractive feature for the next. month or so. In cineiariaa and primulas there are very line shows, which serve admirably to illustroto the changes that are taking place in tlio cultivation of many J flowers which up till recently were regarded more from their show or floral point of view rather than from a decorative aspect. Thus the cineraria (Cineraria kewenta) was almost exclusively a pot plant, the aim being to secure colour, or course, hut with it regularity of contour and massivencss of head anil (lower With the development, of the stellate variety (Cineraria kotvenfa var. elellata) a quite different form of the plant has heeti introduced; massivoness in the bloom having given place- to height and gracefulness. The bc-autiful depths of colour have not yet, been secured in tho stellate variety, but. it is only a matter of time, no doubt, when that, dilliculty will bo overcome by tho zealous imrficulturalLsts, ever on the alert to improve and perfect their beloved (lowers. The stellate form has also been introduced in the primulas, and with very marked effect. Mr Tannock has been very Bliccoafiil with thi3 variety—Primula 1 sitKsis var. stellata,—particularly in I lie whites, of which the visitor may admire funeral pots of very graceful blooms. The cpiaitit and interesting Primula kewcitsis has quite established itself in favour, and its pretty bright yellow (lowers very quickly attract the eye. Tho primulas and cyclamens are agreeably relieved at intervals by foliage shrubs, conspicuous amongst which is the graceful silky oak, of Australia (Grevillia robusta). 11l the tropical section ono is immediately. 1 attracted by the bright vermilion bracts of the poinsettias (Euphorbia pulelierrima), (i welcome newcomer lo tho green house this year. Tho palms are making a start in their growth after their short winter rear, and it is intersting to note that the pineapple is in process of fruiting. This should provo an object of interest to many. Perhaps tho feature of tho tropical hcu«e is a plant on which there are (our (lowerspikes, on one of which two flowers have come out. These flower.' are of the most exquisite brilliance of blue, and when in full bloom will bo a. wonderful .sight. Its name is Tillandsia Ibidem, and it. comes from Peru, Mid is by nature an epiphyte. K belongs to the order Jivomcliaeete, to which belong to pineapple and btlbergia, which also aie peculiar to America. There is every prospect, of one of the bananas in the tropical section fruiting this year. In the sub-tropical house there is an interesting collect ion of plants of the cactus an-l allied families, which thrive in dry countries. Their characteristcs arc, thick, lleshy leave - -, spine covered. The main show ol orchids will not bo forward for a, month or two yet, but in this section the never-failing Cypripcdium iiisigne. or slip|ier orchid, is in full bloom, and makes a line show. Thu Winter Garden is replete with interesting plants and flowers, and is deservedly a place of popular resort. Whilst- a gVeaf, asset lo the city from an esthetic point of view, it. has also a great, educational value, and it is pleasing to note that Mr Tannock is accumulating an large a. collection as possiblo of commercial plants, which must, have an instructive effect, and thus fulfil a by no means unimportant objective in lho establishment and maintenance of this botanical feature of Duncdin.