HORTICULTURAL GLEANINGS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19981, 24 December 1926, Page 3

HORTICULTURAL GLEANINGS.

Lobelia Cardinalis.—A correspondent of the Gardeners’ Chronicle says that during a long experience gained in various parts of England he has found that Lobelia cardinalis succeeds better if grown in heat during the winter. It is not the amount of* frost, but the atmospheric moisture which adversely _ affects plants in many of the above districts. It is extremely difficult to keep subjects planted out in cold frames on the dry side in northern counties, an essential point during the dormant season as applied to plant life. He has thoroughly tested both methods, and has come to the conclusion that he obtains better plants from stools boxed up after lifting them from borders, and wintered in heat, than by cold frame treatment. The Film and Gardening in U.S.A. — The National Garden Bureau in Chicago has prepared three instructive kinematograph films on home gardening, which are lent out free of charge. There is no doubt that a great deal of useful instruction may be given in this way, and the method would be very serviceable in remote parts unserved by any horticultural instructor. It might be worth the while of county horticultural authorities iu this country to consider the advisability of adopting similar methods. * « * » Herbaceous Borders. —The staking _of early-flowering subjects such as paeonies, anchusas, etc., will have been attended to some time ago, and the later-flowering plants should now be supported where necessary. The staking of plants in herbaceous borders is work that calls for thought and knowledge of the various plants, their height ,and habits. When the work is well done very few of the supporting stakes should be visible. Bunching together of these hardy plants into sheaves should never be practised; allow them plenty of room to develop their natural grace, and only support them when absolutely necessary. For bushy subjects, such as inichaehnas daisies and phloxes, a. few small branches of hazel or other suitable twigs should bo placed around them in such a way that the growths will completely hide their supports in the course of a few’ days. The hoe must also be regularly employed in the flower border, and as earlier-flowering plants pass over, their withered foliage should be removed, and their places filled with annuals grown for that purpose in boxes.