HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3251, 5 July 1916, Page 8

HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

By J. Gebbte.

THE MILD SEASON. Up to the preso.it the weather has been very mild, and it is difficult to realise that wo have passed the shortest day, especially when we see in tho gardens so much bloom. Many of the rambler and other roses arc now flowering with the greatest freedom. The trailing rose Alberic Barbier, on a sunny slope, is now producing hundreds of flowers. These blooms are creamy white and canary yellow. This is one of tho best of the trailing roses, the evergreen foliage and strong, robust constitution making it suitable for covering pergolas, rustic work, or any unsightly fence or building. Other good varieties of these trailing roses now in bloom are Hiawatha, with scarlet and white flowers, and Dorothy Perkins, pink. Photinia serrulate, a largeleaved evergreen shrub with clusters of white flowers like hawthorn, is also in full

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bloom. Pelargoniums of the show and ivyleaved sections arc flowering in many gardens. Heliotrope carnations and numerous other plants are flowering beyond their usual season, there having been no sharp frosts to check their growth. WINTER CARNATIONS. _ With the amateur horticulturalist, the winter or perpetual-flowering carnation :s one of the best plants to grow. It is essentially a plant tor the amateur to grow, whether he has a greenhouse or not. If he has one he gets blooms all the year round; if not, he has the flowers in his garden all the summer, and lets < them remain there all the winter. Its cultivation under glass for winter bloom is simple, its main requirements being direct light, on abundance of air, and never a higher temperature than 50deg Fahr. at night. The perpetual-flowering carnation is perpetually growing, and has no period of rest, so that no skill is required to obtain flowers. As plants to grow out in the garden there is. no fear of' frost killing them. Their greatest danger-is excessive moisture at the root; therefore an open, well-drained situation is desirable. _ There is no doubt as to their superiority over the ordinary border carnation, now that their hardiness has been proved. Among all the varieties which are being, continually introduced none is better than the forms of Enchantress, pink, white, and rose pink. These are most reliable, and produce fine large' blooms of lovely shades. May Day is quite one of the best, its colour (deep satin pink) remaining good under all conditions. Other good varieties that wero in full beauty lately are Alma Ward, a fine white, borne on long stems; Mrs O. W. Ward, a deep red cerise and a perfect flower, very early and free, lasting a long time when cut; Niagara, one of the largest and finest white flowering perpetuals; Baroness de Brinen, delicate salmon pink, free flowering habit, and the finest of its colour; Snowstorm, one of the finest white carnations grown, and for show purposes unequalled; British Triumph, undoubtedly the finest crimson perpetual carnation yet sent out, the flowers being of the largest size, and the calyx never bursts; Wivesfield Wonder, a pretty fancy variety, being white flaked with delicate pink, one of the best fancies grown. There is nodoubt that for general usefulness the carnation holds pride of place, and with a flower placed on such a pedestal one cannot grow too many. i MALMAISON CARNATIONS. These are not suitable for growing outside in the southern districts of New Zealand, but where the climate is dry and Warm they do well outside. For cultivating _ under glass they are most suitable. Their blooms are of enormous size and very highly perfumed. Their culture is not difficult; but any neglect on the part of the grower is sure to result in failure. Careful watering, abundance of air, and a moderate temperature are of importance. A closo house combined with a damp atmosphere is totally unfit for carnations. Good, healthy plants that were propagated last summer and well cared for will commence to flower in December, and continue for a considerable time. IRIS STYLOSA. Complaints are frequently made that this iris grows luxuriantly, but never flowers. | The plant is a native of North Africa, and requires a warm, dry situation. I have seen old-established clumps growing in dry, sunny positions, and producing a profusion j of flowers throughout the winter months. ■ The best possible position for this iris is at the foot of a warm wall'or fence. A quantity of _ old mortar should bo mixed with the soil, and firm planting is necessary. A light or rich soil is not suitable for producing an abundance of flowers. The flowers are very suitable for cutting, and it is a good plan to cut them before they appear. They soon unfold their petals, which will be clean and free from injury. If allowed to remain on the plant they are liable to become damaged by frost # or heavy rains. As the flowers are so beautiful and 1 valuable for decorations during winter, everything possible should bo dono to promote healthy plants and the production of clean flowers. There are two varieties in cultivation about this district, the flowers of one being blue, the other white; both are worthy of cultivation. MARGUERITE—MRS F. SANDER.

This new double-white marguerite was recently sent out in England, and created a great sensation. It is certainly a novelty of sterling merit, and is obtainable in New Zealand. The plant is literally covered with largo flowers 3in across, pure white, with long stems, making it valuable for cut flowers. Hants of this marguerite that have been flowering outside during tho summer are sometimes lifted and potted for winter flowering; but they are seldom worth the trouble taken. In order to obtain a stock of good bending plants cuttings, should be taken towards the end of February or early in March, at which time they will readily root if put in a cold frame and shaded from bright sunshine. Plants so obtained are easily _ kept over during winter, and if the points cl tho

shoots are pinched out when largo enough by planting-out time they will be neat little specimens that will grow away freely when planted out. This plant should bo grown by everyone.