HORTICULTURAL NOTES. ANNUALS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2454, 27 March 1901, Page 8

HORTICULTURAL NOTES. ANNUALS.

The term annual is applied to those plants which flower and ripen their fruits or seeds the season they are sown, and then perish. This definition is in no way laffected by the fact that many annuals may be treated as biennial, or, in other /words, may be sown in autumn for flowerJng the folloAving season. It is to be regretted that the cultivation of annuals does not receive that attention which their attractiveness and beauty merit. No class of flowers when properly grown combines such richness of colour, elegance of form, and profusion of bloi&u. '£© hay« Uieia in be^t foim they

must be treated libera'.ly, the same as other bedding plants, thinning the plants to prevent overcrowding and allowing room for development and staking where necessary. This care will be amply repaid in the duration and beauty of 'the plants. PLlox drummondii, stocks, and asters are so well known that it is needless to comment upon them, but a few notes upon dthers may not be without interest. Godetias are a very desirable, free-flower-ing genus, very attractive in beds or mixed borders, and they grow freely in any garden soil. There are many varieties, but the new one sent out last season under the rwme of Gadetia gloriosa is one of the best dark-coloured varieties in existence, and received an award of merit from the Royal Korticultural Society after trial at Chiswick. It is of dwarf, compact habit, with large deep, blood red flowers, which produce a splendid effect by tLeir wonderful brilliance, and they are produced in great profusion.

Frerch Marigold. — I must confess to having «i liking for a good French marigold, and the finest strain which has yet come under my notice is Dobbie's. I believe they have carried off more prizes than any other strain offered by seedsmen, and tlio&e who grow for exhibition cannot go wrong in procuring the&e, as they always turn out reliable. The raiser of this strain, started 40 years ago to grow maiigolds for seed, and ever since they have been resrlected with the greatest care, and now t).fcj> pre lecognisd as the standard of excellence.

Martynia Fragrans. — A handsome, freeflowering plant, with gloxinia-shaped blooms, producing a fine effect when planted in the open border, delighting in a light, rich soil and warm situation. The flowers have a peculiar smell, and are of a purple colour. The curious seed pods when young are highly esteemed for pickline;. Arnebia Cornuta.— A very pretty annual, with innumerable golden yellow flowers, spotted dark bjov/n. It is a continuous bloomer, having been flowering here for the past three months, and will continue until cut down- by the frost. Height, about 18in. Sweet Peas. — These are the most popular annuals grown to-day, and the varieties offered by American seedsmen last season numbered 200. Many varieties are so nearly alike in colour that it is needless to cultivate all, but from the great variety every grower may select his favourite colours. The , dwarf cupid varieties have not done satisfactorily with me. Perhaps the soil or situation does not just suit them, but they are grown alongside their taller relatives, so have the same chance. The new bush variety has nothing to commend it but its habit. The colour of the flower is against it, though there will soon be other shades, but whether they will be as popular as the taller-growing varieties remains to be seen.

BULB CATALOGUES. We are again reminded that the planting season is near at hand. The various nurserymen are distributing their bulb catalogues, which, as usual, contain lists of the choicest of Flora's gem*, and a perusal of these horticultui-al publications will no doubt tempt many to invest in a few bulbs of spring-time favourites to adorn the beds and borders surrounding the home. Messrs Nimmo and Blair and Howden and Moncrieff. of,, Dunedin, also Gibbons and Co. and Cooper and fe'ons, of Wellington. Lave favoured me with copies, and looting tr rough them I find good collections of the several kinds of flowering bulbs, and all at reasonable prices, placing them within the reach of all. Intending planters should secure and plant from now on if the best results are to be obtained. J. Glbbik Public Gardens, Oamaru.