HORTICULTURAL NOTES.I

Otago Witness, Issue 2860, 6 January 1909, Page 10

HORTICULTURAL NOTES.I

By J. Gebbib. HONEYSUCKLES. There are few hardy climbers that possess so great a charm as the honeysuckles. They a-ro espeoial favourites in gardens in consequence of their delightful odour, and ; are useful for covering a summer-house or [ climbing over any unsightly object. There ' are few climbers superior to the honeysuckle, unless it be the rose. In England, during the month of July (which corresponds to January with us), it is one of 1 the greatest of the many delights of an English country lane, not only because of the beauty and fragrance of its flowers, but also for the many poetical associations that cluster round the name. The honeysuckle grows in any good garden soil, and is easily propagated by layers or cuttings. They may also be raised from seeds, for berries on some varieties are borne abundantly. The plants may be pruned moderately close or allowed to ramble without ohedk or hindrance, and in either case will produce bloom in due season, the qnantity of flowers depending on the quantity of branohea to bear them. There are many variet : es all very fragrant, the common woodbine or honsysuokle being perhaps the 1 greatest favourite. It flowers from November to February, and often later, : and during that time is one of the most ' beautiful as well as one of the most fra- | grant of hardy shrubs'. In the cool, dewy mornings and evenings its fragrance is sweetest. The flowers are borne in clusters of a deep red outside and yellowish within. In some seasons this honeysuckle is troubled wilb aphis. A solution of tobacco and soft-soap syringed over the plants, in the evening is the best remedy. The botanical name of the common honeysuckle is Lonicexa periolymenum. Other useful varieties are Lonicera. flexuosa, an evergreen climber of quick growth ; L. halleana, L. oonfusa. and L. ohinensis, all very much alike, the difference being only slight. They are all evergreen, and grow luxuriantly in good soil, coming into flower now and continuing for a couple of months. The blossoms are borne in pairs mostly at the axils of the leaves. "Hie variegated form L. Aurea reticulata is a handsome goldeD variegated plant, perfectly hardy an<l & rapid grower. When first introduced was grown as a foliage plant in greenhouses, and fine specimens were exhibited at some of the flower shows in Dunedin 30 years ago. LOPHOSPERMUM SCANDENS. This is another piant that figured largely at our shows in those days, but has now dropped out of cultivation, although seeds are offered in most seedsmen's 'catalogues. 1 It is a showy evei'green climber, and although considered a greenhouse plant it is well adapted for planting in the flower garden during summer and for covering trellis work- If grown in pots they require tolerably large ones, being strong growers, ana as the plants become large and begin blooming they may be aided by application© of liquid manure. Planted out for the summer, they flourish in any good garden soil, and bloom freely for a, long time. They ripen seeds freely, from which they are best propagated. They also strike readily from cuttings. The old plants may be kept through the winter in a greenhouse or frame if their fleshy roots are Kept toler-

ably dry. This plant is a native of Mexico, and has been in cultivation 6inoe 183*. PLANTS IN FLOWER. Of noteworthy plants in bloom at the present time, Salvia patens i-s highly esteemed for its brilliant blue flowers. Large clumps 2ft or 3ft across and 3ft high make a wonderful display, and never fail to attract. Sparaxis pulcherrima is a remarkable plant, with a dense, elegant, grassy foliage. from which rise graceful ivy flower stems 3ft to Sft high, arching over in & graceful curve, from which hang beautiful bell-shaped, rosy-purple flowers. It is quite hardy and easily grown, and is very effective in the borders. Carnations are just beginning to open their blossoms, and for some time these will be a leading feature, enjoying a popularity almost equal to the rose. Some igocd roses are yet to be seen, and although the flush of the season is past, many of the teas and hybrid teas are yet flowering profusely. Scabiosa caucasica should be grown by those who desire flowers for cutting. They last a long time in water, and their peculiar soft lilac-blue shade is charming. The Iceland poppies are making a wonderful show, and where cut flowers are in demand these perennial poppies are indispensable. Seeds sown any time now would make fine floweringplants for next summer, and be more satisfactory than those sown in spring. Ga.illardias are another indispensable class of plants. Showy, free, and long-blooming, they ought to find a place in every garden. In shrubs, Swaineonia alba, trained on a wall, is a sheet of white. The flowers are produced in sprays of 12 to 20 flowers, and resemble sweet peas. In sheltered places it may be grown out of doors as a- shrub, trimming it bade as it grows. It is, however, more satisfactory if trained on a wall. It is an Australian plant which is becoming popular. The Australian bottlebrush (Callistemon ooccinea) is a very showy shrub, remarkable for the beauty of ite flowers, which are like bunches of coloured threads set close together so as to give the appearance of a bottle-brush. The flowers are crimson, and are produced 1 in great profusion on the points of the branches. Romneya coulterii, known as the_Oalifornian poppy, i« very conspicuous. It is. easily grown, and bears large numbers of large, paper j. white blooms during the summer monthsi There are several varieties, fome of which bloom more freely than others.