GARDEN AND SHRUBBERY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 18761, 27 December 1930, Page 10

GARDEN AND SHRUBBERY

DWARF FOLYANTHA ROSES. Dwarf polyantha roses are becoming firmly established in most gardens, and besides being used extensively for bedding are finding their way into shrubberies and herbaceous borders states “Kowhai” in the “Dominion.” In a herbaceous border they are really delightful, for their long flowering season, the wonderful range of colours of the flowers, and their dwarf habit of growth, all help to maek them very suitable. Planted in groups near near edges of a shrubbery or even filling whole bays, they provide a mass of rich colour all through the summer months—a time when there are not many shrubs in flower. Busy gardeners are finding many uses for these hardy and generous friends. I The plants are bushy in growth, and ! grow to a height of about two feet. This makes them suitable for all gardens. Even in a small one a few specimens may be grown, while in large gardens big beds may be filled with them. They are splendid, too, for growing in tubs for porches or terraces, or in large pots for cool greenhouse decoration. Plants are just beginning to flower, and from now until pruning time they will produce a constant succession of blooms. All through the flowering season, new shoots keep pushing up from the ground. These are flowering shoots, and each one bears a large cluster of dainty little polyantha roses. These dwarf polyanthas are exceedingly hardy, growing sturdily in any well-dug soil. When they are being planted, one junction of the stock and the rose proper should be about an Inch below the surface of the soil. It Is from this part that strong flowering shoots spring, and these keep the plant well furnished with blooms throughout the summer and autumn months. Golden salmon is a lovely variety, for the flowers are rich golden salmon pink. Orange king is pinky-orange. Ideal is rich dark crimson, Miss Edith Oavell scarlet, and Rufus rich crimson. Orleans is a vigorous grower with rich rose flowers. Coral clusters is coral pink, Elsie Poulsen clear fresh pink, Ellen Poulsen rose, Corrie Koster salmon, and salmon queen salmon. Varieties with pink flowers are best grown in semi-shade, not under trees, but on the shady side of a fence, or where they get sun for only part of the day. Ideal, too, is inclined to fade a little if too fully exposed to sun. Dwarf polyantha roses are splendid for cutting. The flowers last well in water, and are easily arranged.