NEW ZEALAND PLANTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 91, 17 April 1929, Page 11

NEW ZEALAND PLANTS

CULTIVATED IN GREAT BRITAIN “Some people in England are spending vast sums in cultivating New Zea land plants,” said Professor A. Wall, in the course of a paper entitled “A Preliminary Catalogue of New Zealand Plants Cultivated in Great Britain,” given to the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury (reports the Press). Professor Wall, who has recently returned from England, stated that among the greater gardens which specialised in New Zealand flora, there was one where 90 gardeners were employed. He considered that wages for these men would total about £13,000 yearly. Mose of the New Zealand plants found in England were to be seen in the south and south-west, and were seen often, said the speaker. Cabbage trees and flax were grown a great deal in Cornwall, while pohutukawas, nikaus, puriris, pines, and other soft plants were also common. In the Scilly Islands, a type of the veronica (koromiko) was the best windscreen procurable, this plant being very popular. “It was very pleasing to find the veronica growing :n many noted places.” said Professor Wall, He had seen the plant growing in the garden of the cottage where Col eridge spent his honeymoon. About one-third of the New Zealand flora grew in England, there being several reason? why the percentage was not greater. On account of climatic conditions manv soft plants could not grow there except perhaps in the Scilly Islands at Tresco, and in other warm southern localities. Grasses and sages were unattractive, while a number of plantts were difficult to cultivate. Shingle plants and alpine plants could not he