FLORISTS’ VARIETIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21940, 29 April 1933, Page 2

FLORISTS’ VARIETIES

There are few shrubs, apart from the rose, that can compare with rhododendrons for beautiful flowers in rich variety of colouring (writes “Midland,” in the Amateur Gardener), Rhododendrons thrive best in a peaty soil, and, as few have such, we must endeavour to make what vte have as near to it as possible. If making a bed to hold, say, six or 12, it is best to take out the whole of the soil, and place on one side, and then remove the sub-soil so that a depth of two feet at least is reached. If the svubsoil be clay, this can be wheeled away,, and its place taken up by added compost, mixed with the staple as required, until the bed is filled in again to a depth to allow of settling without recourse to treading. In the case of sand, this should also be wheeled away, and the bed made up as just described. In this ease, however, no further means of drainage are required, but in the clayey ground a layer of brickbats or clinker should be provided. Planting may be done as late as April, but if a dry period ensues water must be given, and a mulch of short material laid over the roots. Spraying the foliage with the syringe during the day is also a great help in assisting new roots and complete establishment. ■ The rhododendron bed makes a fine place for the various liliums, and these bulbs could be planted at the same time. Of varieties, there are so many that one can only name a few as noted during the past few years. Nasmyth is a fine rosy-lilac, blotched maroon. George Hardy is a pink, with white shading. Rosabelle also is a pink. Whites are represented by Mrs John Glutton, Purity, and Loder’s White. Kate Waterer is rosy crimson, and Barclayanum is a large-trussed bright crimson of the very best. Ascot Brilliant is a deep red, and scarlets are well represented by Charles Dickens and Nobleanum. Prince' Camille de Rohan is a rose-pink, and Pnecox a dwarf early kind, with bright rose blooms. These few are all in a round bed nearby, and have, been planted about seven years, the soil being light and sandy.