GARDEN AND SHRUBBERY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18203, 2 March 1929, Page 10

GARDEN AND SHRUBBERY

RUMANIAN ROYAL GARDENS. Thq “Revisto Hortieola,” the Rumanian hortlcultnral journal. iHib ishes aty:' in twisting aceoiint of tlie gardens ef S'crovimtea,- a country residence of the Rumanian ypynl -family. Situated in the midst of a magnificent forest of oaks, beeches, and pines, Scrovisteu at first consisted of a small hunting lodge, of which the late King Ferdinand was especially fond. The late King was passionately fond of gardens, and only a few hours before his death was making plans for the development of the gardens at Scrovistea. The garden is not large, consisting of three teriaces one abdve the other alortg tin lakeside, a distance of about 200 yards. The planting of the terraces is not yet comp eted, but it is intended to devote the uppermost one to large groups of hardy plants, the second—which is narrower—to a walk bordered with irises, tulips, and other hardy herbaceous plants in the “English” style, while the lowest terrace is to be p'anted with roses of popular varieties, including Los Angeles, Breslau, Edith Cavell, Ophelia, Irish Fireflame, etc. At the end of the terrace's a large orchard of plums and apples extends to the commencement of the woods. Round the house large' beds of tulips brighten the semi-shadow of tall trees, which have been preserved here and there. A pretty tree-shaded - walk leads to an open space, where a charming little residence is situated, reserved for Queen Marie. Here there is an abundance of tulips, irises, and lilies. On the left a paved walk bordered with irises and tulips leads to a second litt’e house with a cottage roof, on a slight elevation facing the lake. This is the residence of the Prince Regent Nicholas. Further on, on the edge of the forest, an old fishing house has been comfortably fitted up for the use of Princess lleana. The gardens are planted with great taste and most carefully maintained by M, Jeannin, gardener to the royal household.

THE “NOSE-TWISTING” FLOWER.

If you were asked to name the flower that is known as a “nosetwister,” would you be able to do so? If not, yoti may be surprised to leafn that it is the “nasturtium,” whose name is from two words—-“nasus,” the nose, and “tortus,” twisted; because the scent is so pungent a 3 to make one’s nostril twist. It is among the most extraordinary of all garden flowers, being remarkably specialised for the main task of its life, setting the seeds. Highly specialised flowers often have lines on their petals to show insects the way to the glands forming their larder. In these nectar is stored —to be turned by bees into honey. Honey guides are strongly marked on the upper pair of the nasturtium's five petals. They converge to show the way to the deep spur filled with what children call honey, when they bite the spur to taste the sweet stuff On the three lower petals, which have no honey guides, will be seen formidable barricades, blocking the entrance to the tube by the way of these petals. This remarkable fence of bristles stretches right across the faces of the lower petals. They keep at bay such climbing insects as ants, which might try to steal the honey but would be of rio service to the flower. The flower passes through two stages of existence, the first as male, then as female, a botanist explains. When newly opened the stamens of the male are in evidence. These bend upward so as to touch and dust any insects hovering in the mouth. Then they fade away. Later the stigma of the female so bends down as to occupy the identical place of the stamens, and is dusted by the insect visitors.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS IN TINS,

Chrysanthemums look very well In tins, tubs, or large pots. The lateflowering varieties are particularly good, and are easily carried to a sheltered position when thus grown, and shelter is wanted during stormy or frosty weather. The tops should lie pinched out every time the shoots reach about six inches in length, until a good round bush is obtained. The soil should be made very firm, and have plenty of old manure or bone-dust mixed in with it, and later, it should have liquid manure added. The chrysanthemum plants may be lifted out of the garden if the soil is , first made wet, when the laner will I generally hold to the roots.