GARDEN AND SHRUBBERY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19308, 8 October 1932, Page 10

GARDEN AND SHRUBBERY

forsythias The forsythias are a group of three or four spring flowering shrubs whose name commemorates William Forsythe who was director of the Royal Gardens at Kensington during the latter part of the eighteenth century. They are closely allied to the lilacs and jasmines, and with the exception of one species are all natives of China. They are gross feeders and prefer a rich deep loamy soil to any other. There are only two species of forsythia in general cultivation in New Zealand and both of these are popular plants in the Timaru district where their charming yellow blossoms are the delight of many gardens at the present time. The European species, forsythia europea is the least ornamental of the group and is of interest only because it is a native of Albamia while all its fellow’s come from the Par East. Forsythia viridissima, although quite useful, is a garden shrub, and fairly common in Timaru gardens, is quite eclipsed by the more desirable forsythia suspensa. There is a very fine specimen of the latter species in the Timaru Gardens on the hillside near the duck pond, where it can be seen at the present time in all the glory of its golden yellow bells. It is a popular shrub in the south of England and in America for covering walls and porches, if used for this purpose it should be severely pruned as soon as its flowering season is over—careful cutting during the flowering season will obviate this besides giving a supply of flow'ers which will last for a week or two in a cool room—old and exhausted wood should be removed and the vigorous young shoots spurred to within three or four buds of the base. Such treatment will result in the production of long wand like shoots which being allowed to develop at will should provide a handsome display the following spring. If pruning is delayed until autumn the best of the flowering wood is cut away.

Forsythid intermedia is considered to be a hybrid between the last two species. Its flowers are quite as good as those of forsythia suspensa, and because of its more open habit of growth it is very useful for grouping on a lawn and in consequence is net so good for covering fences, its variety spectabilis is undoubtedly the best of all the forsythias, having large canary yellow bells. It is rather rare in New Zealand, however.

These shrubs are easily propagated by means of cuttings of well ripened wood taken w’ith a heel and inserted

some nine inches deep in the open ground during June or July.

ALPINE PLANTS Ond of the most desirable of alpine plants, adonis vernalis, was seen making a great show with its handsome yellow flower in a Timaru garden the other day. It is little more than four inches high and its cheerful array of glowing blossoms set amid finely cut whorls of bright green leaves, are so attractive as to make every rock gardener very glad to have it. There are several forms of it inhabiting sunny slopes of limestone country right through Europe from the Pyrenees td j the Causasus, and it is no stranger to the gardens of Great Britain, having been cultivated since the middle of the seventtenth century. The clumps do not. like being interfered with, but seeds sown as soon as ripe give very good results if placed in a cool position. DECIDFOUS MAGNOLIAS. Magnolia conspicua obovala purpurea and stellata are now most conspicuous with their extremely showy sweetscented blossoms. Conspicicua, the yulan tree, is at present the most attractive with its handsome tulip-like blossoms. It is most suitable for a single specimen. PHOTINIAS. Photinia serrulata is an exceedingly handsome hardy evergreen shrub or small tree of symmetrical habit with dark shining leaves, which is now coming into full flower. It is conspicuous in many gardens and ornamental grounds. Every terminal shoot and twig is laden with a profusion of flat heads or corymbs of small white kiurcstliras-like flowers. Some of the leaves turn to a vivid crimson in the autumn. It is a native of China and Japan, and owing to its hardness and handsome appearance is well worthy’ of a place in every large garden and ornamental shrubbery.