FLOWER GARDEN NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20075, 16 April 1927, Page 3

FLOWER GARDEN NOTES.

(From The Garden.) A HOCK GARDEN PENTSTEMON. Of ail tho interesting and useful species of pentstemons which grow in the Rocky Mountains of Canada, P. cyananthus is one of the best. For planting in the herbaceous border or, better still, between largo rocks in the rock garden this penstemon always attracts tho attention it deserves. Growing from 3ft to 4ft high, its spikes ot lovely blue flowers open in Juno and continue for a long period. It seems of quite cosy culture, providing the site is sunny, tho soil well drained and a fair amount of sharp sand added. P. cyananthus can bo raised from seed sown in the autumn, preferably as soon as it is ripe, also propagated by cuttings and struck in a cold frame. Like other species of pentstemons, P. cyananthus will 'sometimes die off in winter, although to ad appearances in good health, therefore it is always wise to raise a few new plants every year.—R. Moore. THE BLUE MOUNTAIN DAISY. Aster Alpinus, commonly known a* the blue mountain daisy, is a delight on tho 'rock garden and in the front of an ordinary bower border. It forms sturdy tufts about bin high and the Michaelmas daisy shaped flowers are a pale blue, with a golden yellow centre. There are," however, a number of different forms and varieties —Elliott’s variety being a grand plant, with large flowers, in every way an improvement on the typo. Then wo have albus for those who enjoy while flowers, roseus with lilao pink blooms, superbus deep violet blue, and Wargrave Pink. A choice form is subcoerulea, with rich violet flowers 2in across, tho centre being deep orange. This plant grows about 9in high. A. alcpinus and its varieties present no difficulties in the way of cultivation, and they will succeed in a loamy soil where they escape tho hot, midday sun. They are quite hardy and with ordinary care they soon increase, and in_ time it will bo advisable to lift and divide them, such work being carried out in early autumn or spring, just before the roots become active. Tho spring is also a good time to purchase plants of this description. Tho alpine aster is a gem that should be found on every rock garden, however small, for a batch of healthy plants covered with daisy-like flowers, especially the blue varieties, is a pleasing and attractive sight. Mice and slugs are particularly devoted to tho young growths of A. alpinus. Tho former must be trapped and the latter are held at bay by a liberal sprinkling of sharp grit well worked in among tho crowns.—