GARDEN AND SHRUBBERY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19523, 24 June 1933, Page 14

GARDEN AND SHRUBBERY

RHODODENDRONS. Among hardy shrubs few are more useful than rhododendrons and in their season of flowering none more beautiful. They are not difficult to grow and need no protection whatever in winter, while they are as much at home in the town garden as in the country garden (says the “Auckland Star”). Their only objection is to lime, which is as poison to them. Peat was at one time considered to be necessary to their welfare, but this has long since proved to be unnecessary. When there is a good depth of fertile loam, free from chalky matter, the only preparation necessary previous to planting is deep digging, incorporating, during the process, a liberal quantity of leaf mould. Unfortunately many gardens, especially in the positions where these shrubs are intended to be ornamental, are noV always made up of good soil, and in such cases it is almost necessary to prepare the stations for them by removing the unsuitable material to a depth of 2ft. and replacing with a material more encouraging to growth. Nothing is more suited to do this than turf which has been stacked a few months. It should be roughly chopped down, and to every four parts add one part of decayed leaves. Where the loam is extra heavy some coarse sand improves it greatly. Attempts have been made from time to time to grow rhododendrons in soils known to be of a limy nature by the above method, and for a time success has rewarded the enterprise. Eventually, however, a decline becomes noticeable, and not

long after this their removal to the rubbish heap becomes inevitable on account of their distressed appear-

The cause of this failure is due to the limy water from their immediate surroundings having entered the prepared stations, and once this happens no amount of care will keep the shrubs healthy. The lesson from this is clear. In unsuitable areas raise the bed as much above the surrounding level as possible, either in the form of banks or large mounds, so that it is impossible for water other than that from above to reach the roots.

Planting is best done in autumn, and it is essential that the soil be made quite firm before and after the operation is completed. Rhododendrons delight in moisture and partial shade, and in dry seasons it is nearly impossible to water them too freely. Being shallow-rooting, the use of the spade or hoe about them should be avoided to prevent injury to the surface roots. An annual mulch of leaf mould is of the greatest assistance to growth as it encourages roots and keeps them cool and moist. Little or no pruning is necessary, excepting to keep them within bounds, but all the old flowers

should be removed, as if allowed to remain the majority form seed pods, which are an unnecessary drain on the resources of young shrubs in particular