HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3040, 19 June 1912, Page 12

HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

By J. Gbbbib.

TREE CARNATIONS. Tn-o or perpetual-flowering carnations have increased ImmenselyJn P°P» la "^ r^ f Ete years, the result of which is that many new varoties have been introduced far superior to those which were in favour 20 years ago. Tree carnations are distinguished from those of the ordinary type by their more woody stems, from which flowering growths are produced in successmii. This valuable characteristic must have been apparent in the early history of the plant, but was not thought worthy, of development until the American florists took the matter up, and now both American and English florists make a specialty of tree conations. Australian florists are also working on this class of carnation, and several fine varieties have originated there The blooms of some varieties have serrated edges, and therefore are not suitable for exhibition. but as florists' and decorative flowers they aro unequalled. The flowers are borne on long, stout stems, and are sweetly scented. Being all strong and vigorous growers, which under glass will flower throughout the winter with culture of the simplest kind, those with small greenhouses ought to prooure a selection. Mr Cousins, of St. Clair Nursery, who makes a specialty of carnations, ha* a good collection of these porpetual varieties in white, pink, rose. scarlet, crimson, and maroon of various shades. BORDER OARNA TIONS. In an old book on gardening published in 1741 elaborate directions were given for tho cultivation of carnations, and these directions have been copied by growers down to a recent date. These old grcwers recommended the mixing and compounding of soils and manures for a year or two before they were wanted. This was enouajn to discourage and perplex the young beginner. Now they can be grown in any garden without anv further preparation of the soil than digging it up well and giving it a good dressing of stable manure A! soils are not, however, equally well adapted for carnations. A good loam or soil of a clayey character is well suited for carnations, but soils of a light, sandy nature- are the least suited. Florists of old could not grow their flowers so well as we do now, although they took more pains to make up their carnation beds than some people do to make a vine border. Our best carnations and picotees planted in an ordinary herbaceous border grow and flower remarkably well without any attention, except that of the most ordinary kind. PLANTS IN BLOOM. Eeeallonia montevidensis, a late-flowering evergreen shrub, is now in full bloom, and has been covered with its trusses of pure whit© flowers for a considerable time. This beautiful shrub should be in every collection, as it is one of the best late autumn flowering shrubs we possess. It reaches when fully grown about 15ft in height. The rambler Dorothy Perkins in a number of gardens is flowering freely at the present time. An arch over a 9ft walk n. a friend's garden is covered with this roeo, wtiich is literally covered with bloom and is a- great attraction to pasrsers-by. In another cottage garden ivy-lcavcd pelargoniums, roso DorotKy Perkins, and chrysanthemum frutesenc on a fence and all smother in bloom form a beautiful pic-

ture, more like summer than winter. We have had some -severe frosts, which have nipped many of the tender plants in some of our gardens, but in some situations on the rising ground, and owing to the long spell of dry weather, many plants are yet flowering freely. We have had a day s good rain, which was badly wanted in the North Otago district, a-nd if a few sharp frosts come now the beauty of these lingering flowers will soon be past. THE TULIP TREE? The tulip tree (Liriodendron tulifera) i fi one of the most ornamental of the hardy deciduous trees we have. Its native country is North America, and it is generally found alongside rivers, where it attains a height of 120 ft to 153 ft, with trunks having a diameter of 3ft or more. Tho largo four-lobed leaves are about sin long by 6m broad, of a bluish green colour, and during autumn change to an intense golden yellow. Tho flowers are solitary, creamy yellow in colour, and about the size and shape of a tulip, from which the tree ha-* been. given Its common name. The tulip tree is best transplanted in spring, just as the buds show signs of starting. The roots are rather fleshy, like the magnolia, and are apt to rot if they ere disturbed in cold, wet . weather. i THE TAMARISK. | . The tamarisks, or tomarix, as it is sometimes called, are deciduous shrubs with foliage like some of the oupressus, and bearing pink flowers. They are very decorative plants, well adapted for planting near the coast, and will thrive quite cos© to high-water mark. Tamarix galliea, the variety most commonly met with, reaches a height of 20ft with a trunk sometimes Ift to lift in diameter. Some of the other species rarely exceed Bft in height. When well grown the beauty of their bright green foliage, graceful habit, and pink flowers is always appreciated. They stand cutting back, and form very ornamental hedges. _^ NEW ROSES. Among the many new roses offered by the various nursery firms the following varieties, judging from the glowing descriptions given., must be of sterling merit, and blooms will no doubt be forthcoming at next season's flower shows. Miss Alice do Rothschild is described as a tea rose, the colour a rich, deep citron yellow, which intensifies as the bloom expands; The flowers ara very large, full, and of perfect form, with high pointed centre. The plant is a free and continuous bloomer, with vigorous and erect growtfti, and is described by leading professional rose-growers as a bedding Marechal Niel, an invaluable decorative and exhibition rose. Mrs Foley Hobbs is another tea rose of robust and vigorous growth. The. colour ivory white, family tinged clear pink on edge of petals, said to be one of the best teas yet introduced ; the large shell-ahaped petals create a bloom of exceptional merit, making it a veritable giant amongst tea rcses; one of the best for exhibition purposes, and delicately scented. Mrs F. Straker, erect in growth, vigorous and branching, the blooms are produced in profusion throughout tho entire season; the colour in the young flower is orange crimson, and as the bloom expands it becomes silvery fawn; a superb rose. Mrs G. Preston, a hybrid tea, flowers of immense size, jose-pink in colour; t\e plant is a vigorous and robust grower. Mrs L. Potrio, a beautiful rose possessing excellent habit of growth with free and continuous flowering qualities. The colour is a honey yellow, with delicate claret smear on outer petals, becoming sulphur yellow as the bloom expands. Of rambler roses • two of tho best new varieties which proved to bo first class during the past season arc American Pillar and Shower of Gold. The first is a vigorous climber with large single pink Bowers with a white eye, about 2in in diameter. Shower of Gold is a rambler belonging to' the Wichuriana section. It is a, vigorous grower, producing bright yellow blooms in clusters, and is a decided acquisition to this popular class.