SPRING IN A DUNEDIN ROCK GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 3886, 4 September 1928, Page 11

SPRING IN A DUNEDIN ROCK GARDEN.

•MANY CHARMING SPECIES NOW IN BLOOM. Everyone recognises the pleasures that arise from gardens, and not pleasures merely, for gardens give mental and physical relaxation. But no kind of garden gives so much pleasure in spring as the rock garden. The escape from formality which it affords is the most charming attribute of the rock garden, and it makes its appeal all the year round. To quote an enthusiast, “ Spring is rock garden time par excellence. Thus in a sunny hollow, with alpine treasures of every hue bursting into bloom or glowing in full expansion, we may experience that soul-satisfying contentment that few but the gardener know Time stands still, the day’s worries recede into insignificance, scent and form and colour gratify the senses, and vulgarity is unknown.”

It is astonishing what a wealth of garden beauty is practically unknown to the great majority of gaiden lovers. I am particularly alluding to spring-flowering bulbous plants, and the section of hardy plants for use in the rock garden. Tulips, hyacinths, and crocuses are to be found ’n every garden, but when we come to the very beautiful and interesting little daffodils of the hoop petticoat, angels’ tears, and- cyclamineus section, in how many gardens can we find them? How often does one see the lovely little iris reticulata, or the tiny and beautiful narcissus minimus, which scarcely exceeds three inches high?

Comparatively few gardeners have any conception of the beauty of the better erythroniums when naturalised. Some of these forms are magnificent, and they are easy to grow if given suitable soils and situations. Hepaticas, aconites, and fritillarias may also be included amongst the little-known subjects of the garden. Hardy cyclamens are also rare .in gardens, and these plants are, I consider, the most valuable amongst the bulbs for use in the shady rock garden. In addition to their foliage being ornamental, the flowers are lovely and fragrant, and we have varieties for both spring and autumn. Iris reticulata opened its first bud a fortnight ago. There is something quite amazing about the rapidity with which its buds develop and burst into bloom. Slugs, alas I seem to have a special passion for defilng the flowers, and gnaw them through halfway up the stem. When established in the right position, which is preferably at the base of a wall in a warm position, iris stylosa is a lovely plant. A native of Algiers, it forms -tufts of narrow leaves, among which the flowers may be found rustling in winter. They are a soft lilac blue, and deliciously fragrant, and a vase of them in a room is an object of delight. Daphne mezereum, wth its leafless branches, is now smothered with purple blossoms which in this variety always appear before the leaves. This fragrant plant, although not new, is rarely seen in gardens, and very few nurserymen stock it, which is hard to understand. Another cheerful bit of colour is provided by a small clump of cyclamen coum, with its deep red flowers on dark green foliage. One of the most charming little plants of the narcissus family is N. cyclamineus, with its rich yellow flowers, whose trumpet is so long and so narrow that it might be said to be tubular. Growing so close to the ground, the flowers of the dwarf narcissus are apt to get spoilt by the earth splashing up during a shower. It is therefore advisable, to allow some close-growing evergreen plant to creep over the bulbs. For this purpose prostrate thymes -are very suitable. That bright little annual lonopsidium acaule has flowered without ceasing all winter. It is only a couple of inches high, and its lavender flowers cover the whole plant. As it sows itself freely a stock is always assured. Aethionema is another early arrival, and makes lovely mats of silvery foliage which is almost hidden beneath' af wealth of hay-scented white flowers. Among the early saxifragas is apilculata alba, with glaucous foliage and white flowers on three-inch stems. It likes a sunny aspect and good drainage.

A large clump of Erica carnea looks very effective with its rosy-red flowers.

It is a native of the European Alps, and attains a height of six to ten inches. Another beautiful heath which has been in bloom for six weeks is Erica verni coccinea. It has apricot-eoloured bells, and is very handsome, as well as uncommon. It is from twelve to fifteen inches high.

A charming shrub is Diosma uniflora, quite unlike the “ Breath of Heaven ” variety. It has flowers the size of a halfpenny, pure white, with r.-d stamens, and has been in bloom since winter. Corydalis cheilanthifolia, with carrotlike leaves which arc distinctly bronzed, comes with the early spring, and its yellow flowers are much similar to C. entea. Arabis aubrietioides cannot be. overlooked in these early days, with its delicate shell pink flowers. Unlike the other rock cresses, it is of compact habit. W.P.