GARDEN NOTES FROM ENGLAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19802, 29 May 1926, Page 3

GARDEN NOTES FROM ENGLAND.

Written for the Otago Daily Times. By Robert W. Ascroft, A.V.0.R., F.R.H.S. NOTE.—In this article, when particular months are mentioned, it must be borne in mind that the seasons are reversed in New Zealand. April is the month of the narcissi, an 1 it is doubtful whether in previous years these flowers have ever been seen to such advantage as during the present season. The Daffodil Show organised by the Royal Horticultural Society and just held in their hall in Westminster has proved a greater success than ever before. “Glorious,” which has received awards of merit at Birmingham and London in the past, and has now been granted a first class certificate by the Narcissus Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society, is undoubtedly the finest poetaz yet sent out. The perianth is pure white, very round and flat, about 2sin across, and the cup is of the most brilliant orange-scarlet. It is a magnificent garden plant, and is a very strong grower. Another beautiful poeta/. which comes second only to “Glorious” is “Medusa.” Bulbs of this variety can be obtained for a sovereign apiece, and are a really good investment. . There are so many new introductions in the various sections at the present time that it is only possible in these notes to mention a few varieties of exceptional merit and beauty. For those who like pure white trumpets “Beersheba and "Everest” represent the greatest advance which has been made for many The first is a • seedling from Knight.” and has a magnificent Perianth, perfectly flat, standing at right an«h's to the trumpet, which is perfectly formed, slightly funnel shaped, and ,uce ‘f at the mouth. The flowers which often attain a diameter of five inches are borne on stems nearly 2ft in length. It « «. very free-blooming variety and an exc - “oVoMh. d.li.h«ul writer has ever seen m 1; airy Circle, which was raised by Brodie ofßiofe It bears an exquisite little flower’ ami belongs to the section known as small crowned Barrii. The perfectly even, flat, ciicular perianth forms a lovely setting for the broad and flat white eye with its clearly-defined pink rim. Piobably vanety yet raised has caused as great a sensation in the daffodil world as 1 oitune” with its overlapping perianth ot brilliant yellow and long, deep cro ™ ™ glowing blood-orange. Mr Herbert Chapman. of Rye, Sussex, was recently exhibiting a wonderful bloom winch I gathered was the result of crossing 1 ( ortune v. ith a “Poet.” It was named ‘l< ortunatiis, and will make a big stir in the daffodil world some day in the future. Turetail is without doubt the finest red-crowned Barrii yet seen. A _ plant of rapid increase and great vigour, it bears us blooms on stems of astonishing length. A two-year-old bulb will often give as many as 10 blooms, and it is undoubtedly a flower with a great future for market and garden purposes. Some of the more highly-colon rad varieties of narcissus appear , apt to Use some of their richness when grown in the open garden, but _this certainly is not true in the case of “Firetail.” This variety has fallen considerably in price, and can now be obtained for a modest 9s a bulb. _ The number of yellow trumpet varieties is surely legion, but among the pink are “Gog,” “Magog,” “Loud Speaker,” and Fantin Latour.” For bedding purposes or for planting in large clumps in the border, special mention , must be made of the Poetaz section. The hybrids, which arc the result of crossing Narcissus Poeticus ornatus and the choicest varieties of polyanthus narcissi, are delightful in many respects. The blooms last a long time when cut, and are sweetly, but not strongly, scented. The cost is low, and most varieties can be obtained between 28s and 60s per 100 bulbs. “Orange Cup” is one of the best of the yellow Poetaz, with a clear yellow perianth and glowing orange cup. Three to four flowers are usually borne on each truss. “Elvira” has a pure white perianth and yellow cup. and is one of the most sweetly scented of the whole section. “Lucrece” has a white perianth, orange-yellow cup, and orange margin. James Carter and Co., of Rayne’s Park, xiondon, S.W., 20, arc specialising in these flowers, and are doing a great deal to increase their popularity. If these_ varieties prove suitable for (ultivation in grass they are certain to be largely in demand foi naturalisation purposes, but, as far as I know, they have not, as yet, been sufficiently well tried to actually recommend for this purpose.