BUSY PERIOD

Southland Times, Issue 22731, 6 November 1935, Page 9

BUSY PERIOD

GARDENS AND RESERVES SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT ' Reference to, various activities in gardens and reserves was contained in the routine report of the Superintendent of Reserves (Mr B. P. Mansfield) which was before the City Council last evening. During this period, which is the busiest of the whole year, work has been facilitated by very favourable climatic conditions, though work of a routine nature, grasscutting, edging and cleaning of beds, has demanded far more attention in consequence (stated the superintendent). The large borders in Block I, which suffered so severely as a result of damage caused by tidal water last January, have now been completely remodelled and replanted. In this block 579 ornamental trees and shrubs, 239 Iris germanica, 324 Nepeta Mussini (Catmint), 350 hybrid lupins, together with 220 dwarf polyantha roses have been used. The trees and shrubs have been specially selected to provide a wide range and conspicuous feature at all seasons. All have established freely and are doing well. * In the veronica border all plants have been pruned and, to provide early display, 950 Brachycome (Swan . River Daisy), 850 Dimerphotheca aurantiaca, and 500 Calendula Orange King have been planted as a groundwork. In Block II the spring display is particularly attractive, flowering cherries, tulips, wallflowers and doronicums are at their best. The rockery is also quite bright and cinerarias in the glasshouse have maintained a display for some time. Attention has been paid to the edging of lawns and all pathways. Plants used include 790 sweet peas, 150 carnations, 100 aubrietia, 775 gladioli, 103 ornamental trees and shrubs, 7 echiurn wildprettii and 224 mesembryan themum criniflorum. A batch of 432 pot plants has been sent to the glasshouse, mainly schizanthus which will shortly take the place of cinerarias.

In Block 111 the planting has consisted of 324 sweet peas, 380 violas (yellow), 34 sedum spectabile, and 10 populus fastigiata. Playing apparatus on all children’s areas has been inspected and greased, necessary repairs being effected. Twelve standard flowering cherries have been planted in the border on the east side of St. John’s Hall and the north border at Russell Square. Twelve South Island kowhai have been planted in the borders at the Memorial gounds. The large plot of ground, near the South School, in Elies Road and Crinan Street, formerly used by the Invercargill Gardening Committee for allotments, has been prepared and sown down.

All parts of the town belt and gardens received special attention before Labour Day week-end. Warm, moist and mild conditions have resulted in an exceptionally strong growth of grass. However, cutting and edging are well in hand and the general appearance of the grounds everywhere is satisfactory. Queen’s Park. A considerable amount of early planting has been carried out in and around Queen’s Park. In the semicircular bed outside the main gates 1758 violas (“Dunedin Blue”) have been planted. There is a good display of orange bedder wallflower in this bed at present. The two large beds on either side of the approach to the park from Gala Street have been carefully prepared and planted with 5445 Calendula Orange King and 800 Alyssum Little Dorrit. Immediately inside the main entrance two circular beds have been prepared and planted with azaleas, 250 pansies being used as a ground cover. There is a magnificent show of large bunch flowered polyanthus on the south side of the rose gardens, both for size and the wide range of colours presented they are really remarkable. All beds in the Rose Gardens have been underplanted with yellow violas this season 4884 being used. In addition 350 Viola Ullswater have been planted in the border by the rock wall. Tire main drive and all pathways have received attention. The display and general standard has been favourably commented upon by visitors. Municipal Nurseries. Following the heav> general plantings which have taken place, and in preparation for summer display, both nurseries have been thoroughly overhauled. The tree nursery, north of the St. Andrew Street track, has been replanted and restocked. In contains 40,917 plants comprising 8875 poplars 25,421 pines, 4988 hedge plants, 1633 ornamental trees and shrubs and eight chains of box edging. All New Zealand native plants, a further supply of ornamentals and herbaceous plants are now receiving attention in the main nursery and planting operations should be concluded in another week’s time. Despite the fact that so much bedding has already been done there are over 112,000 bedding plants in boxes for summer display at present in stock. Frame and glasshouse accommodation is fully taxed.