THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1688, 29 March 1884, Page 8

THE GARDEN.

SEASONABLE NOTES. The lily garden will now be in its prime, I and the cultivator who has bestowed the requisite amount of care and attention on his plants will be amply repaid. The liiy as a class iB excelled by no other, and equalled by few, either for its desirability as a cut flower or for garden or conservatory decoration. The culture of lilies is very simple, and few, directions are necessary, aB with care and attention to cleanline&s they will thrive anywhere in this country, being all hardy. Even the auratum and the martngon tribe, which are not considered so in England, seem quite at home with us, if only the soil is made suitable for them. The old white lily i 3 one of those flowers which, as Wordsworth says, " seems sacred fco the poor." How do we find in the cottage gardons of England groups of this fine lily, with it* tall stems crowned with a mass of pure lustrous flowers, unsurpassed in loveliness, seeming to thrive on neglect ! These lilies would appear to thrive best where they are the least disturbed, for it is only in some cottage gardens, where, the ground is in good condition but not much disturbed by digging in dung and lifting the bulbs, that they are seen to their best advantage. What a contrast to the same plant iv some of our high cultivated borders, where the plants are nursed, and too much attention given them by digging, dunging, and lifting ! Then for the callu lily nothing can surpass the chasteness of their white spathes. These lilies should receive tho attention of those who desire beautiful winter-flowering plants, as they are easily grown, and never fail to produce an abundance of flower-spathes, which continue long in perfection. They have been amongjjthe more note-worthy produe ions in Covent Garden Market for some years during the autumn, being largely used for floral decorations. Some of the spathes of the common Ethiopian callu measure seven inches across, and are long in proportion. What a fine display can bo, made in a garden with bulbs alone from the early snowdrop, the ci ocub, and so on to the late-flowering bulbs ! One of the boat features of hardy flower gardening is that of permanent 1 plantations of bulbs, naturalised in positions where they can remain undisturbed for years, and where they have all the appearance of being indigenous. An old , friend the other year from Scotland wrote that he was busy planting such things as narcissus in masses, lilies, and other perennials, mentioning that 'he was'getting lilium auralutn bulbs from 15s to 20s for lots of fifty good bulbs.' He says—" Fancy the difference in effect betweori a sovereign spent in lily bulbs and the same amount expended on bedding plants. We had nothing fiver in our garden last year thau lilium auratum, in sheltered nooks surrounded and backed by evergreens," This was in Scotland, and yet lilium auratum is generally considered not to be quite hardy in England. I think this ia a mistake, for in many localities it has been known to stand and do far better in the open ground than many of the nurslings in pots. But with us. there is no I doubt as to its suitability, if attention is paid to suitable soil and position. It is surprising what an array of hardy bulbs wo could find to adorn our beds and borders, for nearly the whole year. For instance, we have the snowdrops, which are very early in the spring, and perhaps the most general favourites amongst hardy bulba. They make fit companions for the violet, that may be appropriately planted with them, as they succeed uudcr bimilar conditions. These do very well under deciduous trees, where the herbage is thin and does not require ' mowing until the bulbs are ripe. They succeed best where they are not disturbed for years. Masses of these, to nearly cover the ground, are very lovely while in flower, and the foliage is by no means devoid of beauty after the flowers fade. The flowering of snowdrops is not very transient, but will last for aj; least from six to eight weeks. They make a "fine display on ] the margins 'of woodland walks or for bordering beds of rhododendrons'and other floweribg shrubs. ,If the bulbs are planted singly, in lines, say three to four inches apart, they will soon form solid masses, Placed thus on their mossy bed the purity of their blossoms is not tarnished by heavy rains. They require to be planted soon , after the foliage dies down, as they start 'into active growth very early. , Those who leave the planting of the snowdrop.until established bulba are appearing above the ground must only expect poor results, for the roots should be in active operation ' long before they push through the ground. Crocuses, in their varied colours, do also very well planted out permanently, but, unfortunately, the bulbs have many enemies that keep them from increasing, or even existing, unless in positions where they can be protected. Mice eat them at all seasons. In the old country the pheasants were extremely fond of them, and made sad havoc amongst them. But they are such lovely flowers, and make such a showy display when 1 seen in masses, that they are worthy of a little extra attention in the matter of protection from their enemies. The squills are also very pretty little flowers of various shades of blue, and are well adapted for the margin or foreground of natural bulb gardens;' but being of dwarf habit they 'are liable to, be overgrown. They produce colours unsurpassed by any other hardy bulbs. Scilla siberiea and S. bifolia are real gems. The lily of the valley is also well adopted for woodland or wild gardening, and when opce plrfnteci will last for an indefinite period. A little addition in the way of a rich top dressing in the autumn will greatly increase the size of the flower spikes, but the leaves form a naturaj aid to keep it growipgand flowering' freely. Jonquils an<j daffodils are well adapted to

this kind of gardening, and look extremely gay Elanted iv patches in woodlands or shruberies, oi'on turf ; they are so strong, indeed, that they succeed even where there is a thick green sward better than most kinds of bulbs. The daffodils), or Lent lilies, as they are sometimes called, may be seen in full bloom in' spring, both double and single, in many shades of yellow; and the exquisitely scented jonquils are all worthy the attention of lover's 'of earlyflowering hardy plants, .They are very easily naturalised : simply dig out' holes with a spade and drop into them half a' dozen bulbs, and they will soon form a fine clump ; and when once planted they will take care df themselves. The winter aconites are also very effective for early flowering if planted 'in masses", say on some dry bank under the shade of trees, or as permanent edgings to beds'of hardy flowers. They are the first to come into bloom, and the rich yellow of the little flower is "'very effective in early spring if they are planted in good masses. If used as edgings for beds.tbey require about a foot in width to show to advantage, but if in masses, at a season of the year when out of door flowers are not plentiful, they are a sight not soon to be forgotten.