FLOWERS BY THE SEA.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3803, 15 June 1885, Page 2

FLOWERS BY THE SEA.

A great number of flowering plants are grown, and the manner in which the zonal pelargonium passes through an ordinary winter in the open air unharmed by frost, and thrives, is surprising even'to those who are acquainted with an ordinary winter near London. For seven consecutive years previous to 1879 the zonal pelargoniums lived. in many sheltered gardens untouched by frost, and as a consequence made a growth that was truly astonishing to strangers ; and not only do geraniums grow and flower in the most luxuriant manner, but all other flowering plants thrive in all gardens that are fairly well sheltered from the rough wind. The subjoined list of plants are those that succeed in open beds on promenades close to the sea. Here they are exposed to every gust of wind, with the sea beating up within a few yards of them. The seaside plants comprise petunias, zonal pelargoniums, lobelias, zinnias, dwarf tropioolumns, marguerites, mignonette, Cerastinm tomentosum, Golden Feather, Phlox Drummondi, yellow marigolds, gaillardiss, fuchsias, calceolarias, and Indian pinks. A few may be found in good condition in places more sheltered from rough winds. They are antirrhinums, pentstemons, shrubby veroncias, Anemone japonica, French marigolds, dahlias, gladioli, Hyaointbus candicaus, and chrysanthemums. This list might be extended, and perhaps with advantage ; but it is preferable to name such as are seen 'in a condition worthy of being placed in this list. At the same time, it must be understood that it is possible some of the plants named might be seen in a more satisfactory state in other places that are not influenced by the salt spray from the sea. Bat if such a question is raised it will hare no bearing on the object in view. The object of this article is to show what are the most likely plants to succeed in gardens near the sea.—• “ Amateur Gardening."