GIFT TO KING

Southland Times, Issue 23306, 16 September 1937, Page 16

GIFT TO KING

NEW ZEALAND PLANTS FOR WINDSOR (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 15. Knowing that the King and Queen are keenly interested in horticulture the Governor-General (Lord Galway) suggested that several New Zealand plants might be grown in the garden at Windsor. His Majesty graciously accepted the offer and collections' of plants were made by Mr J. A. McPherson at the Botanic Gardens at Christchurch and Mr D. Tannock of the Botanic Gardens, Dunedin. The consignment from the Christchurch Botanic Gardens comprised over 80 plants made up of 48 species. Among them were—Veronica cheesemani from Mount Cheeseman; senecio saxifragioides, a species endemic to the Port Hills; pygmaea pulvinaris (cushion veronica), from Mount Enys; blue flowering (olearia operina), from the West Coast Sounds; and the rare coxella dieffenbachii, a monotypic genus from the Chatham Islands. Several of the none-too-Sommon acphyllas and astelias were included, besides several species of celmisias and one ground orchid. The Dunedin collection consisted mainly of cushion and high alpine plants several of which were collected on the Lake Harris saddle and were growing satisfactorily under garden conditions. Ranunculus included the mountain lily (ranunculus lyallii) and the rare yellow flowered species ranunculus simpsonii. Several of the dwarf spreading celmisias were included and also ourisias and raoulias and all plants were capable of being divided up and suitable for cultivation on the scree or rock garden. It is interesting to note that, quite a number of the plants were not in cultivation in England up to time of arrival of his Excellency’s shipment. As is usual now when sending rare plants abroad special cases fitted with gauze windows were used for packing and these were carried in the ship’s vegetable chamber which is always kept at a constant temperature. The plants arrived safely in good condition and the Private Secretary to the King has written to express his Majesty’s appreciation of the gift and thanks for the trouble which has been taken. -