HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2805, 18 December 1907, Page 10

HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

I By J. Gsbbie.

Quite a large number of native plants are in bloom at the present time. Round the ooasfc. in the vicinity of the Nuggets, where I was lately rambling, great patches of celmesias were in full bloom. A. ligusticunr with large heads of white flowers was plentiful. Gnaphalium, Linum carex, and grasses, especially a dwarf Danthonia similar to the toitoi, were very plentiful. The plumes were just opening, and in a few weeks will be very conspicuous. The xata is not yet in bloom, but will make a great show a few. weeks hence. The Nuggets

and its neighbourhood is a place where there are many things to interest, and this ■charming seaside resort has many attractions for the lover of Nature, especially for those of a botanical turn of mind, who can spend a pleasant and profitable time in the locality. The time at my disposal being limited I had to curtail my ramble, but before leaving strolled into the garden attached to a boarding establishment, where there was quite a wealth of bloom, some of our choice floral favourites luxuriating without any special care or attention, the soil and situation alone being responsible for thff healthy and floriferous condition of the plants. In the well-kept front garden were geraniums and callas full of bloom, and double pink hawthorn and many other border flowers. In a semineglected corner the greatest display of bloom was in evidence. The green ixia I never saw in 'better form. As a rule this variety dies out in a year pr two, even with the most careful attention, but here were several dumps, apparently quite at home and in full bloom. There were large clumps of gladioli ; the bride growing 1 very rank, the flower spikes being fully 3ft high. Anthropodium cirrhatum atta : ns. dimensions here which it never does in North Ctago. It is a native of some of the 6mall islands on the coast north o f Auckland, and is a very ornamental plant in flower and foliage. Another native plant flourishing to perfection is the Myosotioium nobije, locally known as the Chatbam Island lily and New Zealand forget-me-not. It is a robust and beautiful plant from the Chatham Islands, whlre it formerly giew on the seashore just above high-water mark, fringing the beach for miles; now it is only found in a few spots, having been almost completely eradicated by sheep and pigs- Although a seaside plant, it thrives inland, and I have 6een some fino specimens about Waimate.. Tho heads of bloom are of a deep blue colour, edfed v.ith white. Carnations, iris, antirriajmnß, ros.es, and a host of other flowers to delight the eye were in profusion. More attractive to 6ome might be the vegetable garden adjoining, where the usual varieties cultivated are looking well. New potatoes have been in use for over a month, showing the earliness of the locality. From Port Molyneux to the Nuggets — a distance of 12 or 14 miles — are several bays, on which are ideal spots for market gardens, where early crops could be raised. Judging from what I saw, garden produce is as early as, if not earlier than, on the Peninsula, which is^considered to be the earliest parfc of Otago, and is particularly noted for having new potatoes firef in the market. 1 BEGONIAS. ' Begonias of the tuberous-rooted section are now comm'enoing to bloom, and no more easily-managed plants are in culti- [ vation either for greenhouse, dwelling, or garden or decoration. If procured from the nursery now in 4in or Sin pots, "they will require shifting into thoee of larger size. The soil in which they delight is good loam, leaf mould, and dried cow manure, with a little sand. As the pote get full of roots, they < may be fed with weak liquid manure. Liquid cow manure w the best and safest food for begonias. As the plants increase in growth, thinning and tying out the growths should be attended to, and this is time well spent. A ' check of any kind should, if possible, be avoided. Drought or an excess of moisture at the roots will cause the flowers to drop. If planted out they prefer & rather shady situation, and planted close together so that the foliage may cover the ground and protect the tubers from the scorching sun. A good supply of manure water will bring them .to the greatest perfection. HARDY BORDER PLANTS. A dwarf free-flowering plant is Ononis rotundifolia, which during the /last month j has been covered with bloom. It is a free- . growing perennial, about 18in high, and covered Avith a profusion of rose-coloured pea-shaped flowers. Being so hardy and free-blooming, it should, be included in every collection of hardy border plants. Linum flavuto is another good hardy border plant, with a profusion of golden yellow blossoms. It is of a trailing habit of , growth, and when in. bloom is very attrac- , tivc Linum perenne (flax), with brae ; flowers and growing about 2ft high, is also . a pretty plant in the borders. Erigeron coulteri and E. speciosus are two hardy j perennials, flowering from now on; the blooms somewhat resemble single asters, j They are good subjects for the mixed border, thriving best in a somewhat moist but well-drained spot. The flowers of E. coulteri are pure white, very useful for cutting; the blooms of E. speciosus are purple. Delphinium nudicaule, which has been flowering for some time*, is a splendid border plant, growings from 12uin to 18in high, producing for a long period spikes of bright scarlet flowers, whioh are very effective. This * plant -is -easily raised from seeds, which ripen readily, ana sow themselves if not interfered with.