GROW FLOWERING GUMS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 560, 12 January 1929, Page 24

GROW FLOWERING GUMS

The best known of the Flowering Gums is Eucalyptus ficifoiia, the Scaret Flowering Gum, and is one ot the most brilliant of the smaller flowering trees. The flowers vary in shade, being for the most part of some shade of crimson, produced well above the bright, glossy green leaves. Like most Gums, the young shoots assume a reddish hue, and this adds to the attractiveness of this most effective and popular species. In making a planting it is necessary to select small plants established in pots, but care should be taken to see that they are not pot-bound. Failures invariably occur by planting tall, potbound plants that have their roots matted together. This accounts for the trees blowing over after attaining two or three years' growth. Flowering gums succeed best 'in a somewhat dry situation. The best months to plant out are from May to Semptember. Being grown fqpm seed the colours do not always come true, unless the seed is obtained from isolated trees. , Among other worth-while varieties are E. lencoxylon rosea, a very distinct and handsome tree producing a profusion of rose-coloured flowers. E. Calophylla., the Red Gum of West Australia, a small growing tree with hansome broad leaves and large white flowers. Several handsome hybrid varieties are reported from the West, but so far have not reached us yet.