COLOURFUL SHRUBS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22498, 16 February 1935, Page 5

COLOURFUL SHRUBS

The true brooms have all been raised from the wild forms or species of cytisus, though the word “broom” is commonly used for the whole group of shrubs, including Spartium, the Spanish broom, and Genista. ,

Most of “the species are extensively grown, but during recent years the several hybrids which have been introduced bid fair to supersede them as garden plants. All brooms are easily cultivated. They revel in full sunshine, and the most suitable soil is a fairly light, sandy loam of not too rich or heavy a nature. Although they' will grow in sand, the resulting plants will naturally be neither so strong nor so. healthy, but heavy or retentive soils can easily bo made more to their liking by the addition of a generous dressing of leaf mould, sand, or road-side grit. The species are easily raised from seed, and this method invariably gives the best results. The seeds may be sown as soon as they are ripe, or, alternatively, they can be kept until the following spring, but whichever plan is adopted, the method of sowing is similar. The protection of a greenhouse is an aid to rapid germination, and the seed can be sown in either pang or boxes. As soon as the seedlings are large enough to be handled, prick them off singly into small pots, and grow each plant on without further shifts until large enough to plant into its permanent position. They do not transplant well from the open ground after they have reached a fair size. Varieties; as distinct from species, do not reproduce themselves true to the parent plant from seed. They are, therefore, propagated by grafting on to the common broom, C. scoparius, or on stocks of seedling laburnum. The grafting is done under glass, the grafted plants being placed in a warm and moist greenhouse until a union between the stock and scion has taken place. Cuttings of short, partially ripe shoots, taken with a " heel,” will also root readily if inserted in-sandy coil during February or March, and planted ip a closed cold frame. _ The after-treat-ment for these cuttings is similar to that employed for seedlings. Annual pruning must be adopted from the first year of planting, for, unless this is done, the plants will soon get out of hand, and, on account of their shallow rooting system, are very liable to be uprooted by high winds. The pruning consists of shortening the one-year-old shoots tp one-third of their length, in order to induce a bushy foundation; Never cut back into wood older than one year — except with the January and February flowering kinds—for they do not produce new shoots when so treated. The springflowering kinds should be pruned immediately the flowers have faded and before the seed pod s form, while those which flower during the summer months are best pruned in early spring, just_ before the new growth appears. In this case, a number of the older branches may be cut away, if considered essential to the preservation of a shapely habit. The uses to which brooms may be employed in the garden are many and various. They are excellent shrubs for beds in lawns, ns isolated plants, or as groups in the shrub border. They are also a valuable aid in clothing sunny slopes, and the dwarfer varieties make a lovely show in the rock garden or on rock walls. The less hardy varieties are also splendid pot plants for the cold greenhouse. . One of the best of the dwarfCr kinds is G. Ardoini, which grows only four to six inches in height, and bears golden-yellow flowers during October and November in great profusion. This is one of the parents of C. Beani and C. kewensis, two wellknown hybrids. The former is a semi-, prostrate shrub, six inches to one foot in height, with delightful sprays of deep golden-yellow flowers during November; C. Beani is procumbent in habit, and has graceful racemes of pale sulphur-yellow flowers in November. It is an ideal plant to hang over the. face of. a rock, where it forms a miniature cascade. _ C. decumbens is another suitable variety for the rock garden, and its bright yellow flowers, borne during November and December, are greatly • admired. The purple broom, 0. purpureus, forms a close cover for the ground, and, with its purple flowers, is both distinct and charming. Of tire taller-growing species, three are extremely, distinctive. The first, C. albus, white Spanish broom, is the only pure white kind which is perfectly hardy, and often readies 10 feet in height. C. Dalliniorqi,. a hybrid raised at Kew over 30 .years ; ago,,ha,s pale rose, shaded purplemauve, flowers, and is quite distinct. THe third is the Normandy form of the common broom, C. scoparius var. Andreanus, which is similar to the common type in habit, but has yellow and brownish-crim-eou flowers. C. Praecox is of hybrid origin, and has creamy-yellow flowers, which are borne in great profusion during early November.

A few years ago C. Dallimorei had the distinction of being the only hybrid broom which had been raised by artificial crossing. Since its appearance many new and promising varieties have been introduced, bearing flowers of shades and hues which were hitherto unthought of, but are now, or rather, should be, of universal cultivation. Among the best of these newer varieties is Cornish Cream. This is a plant of splendidly erect habit, with an abundance of creamy-white flowers, the yellow being prominent on the keel of the flower. It is a strong grower, and one of the best in cultivation. Dohard Seedling is one of the newer varieties; it is a sturdy grower, and somewhat resembles C. Dallimorei, but the flowers are of a rosier shade and the whole plant, when in flower, gives a pinkish effect. Dorothy Walpole is the richest colour yet raised, the flowers being of , a rich velvety crimson, shaded rose. Charles E. Pearson is another striking shade; The flowers are of a soft pinkish-apricot, with brownishred wings. Hibernia is one of the new Irish brooms, extremely vivid in colour, being a shade of rose with 'an orangescarlet flush; while Lady Moore combines the rich crimson of the wings with a buff keel. Lilac Time is a newcomer from Australia, and very free-floweri ug. The colour is soft lilao-pink. The splendena form of the Daisy Hill variety is very much superior to the type. ’ A variety which has tile longest flowering period of any is Rochelli, a small-growing kind. It is a mass of yellow bloom from early Jannary to the end of March. —P. C. 8., in Amateur Gardening.