PLANNING FOR BEAUTY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19252, 16 August 1924, Page 10

PLANNING FOR BEAUTY.

PROGRESS IN BOTANICAL GAR-DENS.

lIINTS OF SPRING APPEAR.

The past winter has been a particularly pleasant and satisfactory one for gardeners, and already signs n.ro not wanting of an early spring. A tour round tho city reserves with tuo superintendent, Mr D. laimock, show 3 many aetivitie-s in progress for improvement of the city, and at iho Gardons there is ho be seen abundant promise of a glorious display of spring blossoms. On the town belt below BeJleknowes the Reserves Department's workmen have been ba.sy clearing oil' gorge arid broom, and they are planting tne mountain ash, perhaps more familiarly known as the rowan, 'iho superintendent is planning to have a.ii avenue of pears in this pait, mountain ashes round 'the margin of roads and paths and flowering cherries in suitable spots. _ A considerable part of this area is still being privately cultivated for vegetables. In the wider part of Alichio street a number ot well-grown Oriental planes are being planted and other streets in the vicinity are being similarly adorned. In tho Winter House at the Gardens yesterday many beautiful primulas were being rnovod out to make space for a, rich collection of cyclamen that are now just coming to their full glory. °" luo °PP°sito bench a great variety of primulas remain to form an exquisite feast of colour for the eye. Cinerarias of deep rich huo and pink camelias add to the attractions ot this par-ticular-house. Frcizias are opening out to (ill the house with their sweet perfume. In tho orchid house eoelogyno oritata. odontoglassum, and tho lady's slipper variety are making tho chief display just now. Primulas are to bo scattered in among tho orchids, and they 'will doubtless gx'eatly brighton tho house. Up on the hill near tho superintendent's house tho foundations of a new propagating fiouso have been laid and a new potting shed is also in course of erection. A glance at tho congested condition of tho present sheds shows how urgently tho extra, accommodation is required. In the nursery nearby the expert may study, with interest just now several groups ot shrubs and trees recently obtained irom Ashburton, Christchurch, New Plymouth, and other northern centres. Among these are planes, hornbeams, ash.es, alders, and other street trees which will bo planted out in suitable spots along the city streets as occasion arises. One of the species lined out ready for street use later—dilanthus gladulosa—comes all the way from Franco. There is also a stock of deodars getting ready to bo planted out in an avenue. To those who know tho glory of the pohutukawas about the water's edge at Christmastime in tho Auckland province it is interesting to see a row of these natives planted in shelter till they are sufficiently hardened to thrivo under their new conditions. Many instances can be pointed to of pohutukawas ha,ving done very well in mid about Dunedin. and when these have been planted out in tho reserves and have attained to some maturity there is every reason to believe that they will add not a few beauty spots to this already richly endowed city. In ono part the superintendent is gathering a great collection of junipers, Japanese cryptomeriu. and various other shrubs and stunted trees for use at the Exhibition. They will bo placed in large square tubs and used to ornament tho great buildings in which the exhibits will bo housed. Down in the section for Australian trees and shrubs just above the conspicuous group of old gum trees fresh wattles are coming: out into full bloom. All abont this part the grass is full of English bluobolls, which when their time comes will gladen the eyes and the heart of many a visitor. On the main new track up from tho level part of the Gardens to the top of the rhododendron dell a big clearance of scrub and bush on the upper side is being made by a gang of returned soldiers who aro employed out of the Poppy Day funds. The cleared space is being turned into a cultivated border that will be occupied chiefly with heaths and azaleas. By the approach to the rhododendron dell many flowers are beginning to snow themselves. There is the whito flower of the daphne, and graceful little groups of snowdrops hang- their dainty heads. Purple and white heaths and camelias are in bloom, and just ono or two of tho rhododendrons have hung out their banners. Daffodils aro coming on rapidly. In the rhododendron dell itself tho first ot the primroses may bo espied and fax down in tho dell there is a group of rhododendrons almost in full bloom. Freshly uug patches of earth show where wood anemones have been planted all along the hordei. Flowering plums are beginning io burst into flower. Tho rustic bridge across the dell has stood for some time now, and though it is till quite tound Mr Taraiock is going to have it considerably strengthened before the spring comes in. In the bare beds of the azalea garden bore and there the litt'e scilla is showing its points of brilliant azure blue. White and pink flowering plums aro laden with blossom that will soon display a wealth of beauty, and tho swelling of the buds of the double-flowering peach are full ot promise. Altogether, unless the season should bo an exceptionally unfortunate one, thero is every reason to predict that this spring tho Gardens will offer an even greater display of floral beauty than ever in the past.