HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVI, Issue 9, 30 August 1911, Page 37

HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

Roses trained on walls have, (lowered very freely through the winter. We had a line bunch the other day, the varieties being: Perle des Jardines. Gruss an Teplitz and Kaiserin Augusta X ictoria. Roses so trained, given a good aspect and summer pruned give a very fair crop of bloom through the autumn and winter. Gladioli bulbs should not be kept too long out of the ground; we favour early planting in order to secure deep rooting before top growth begins. The bulbs should be set in deeply dug or better still trenched soil, and if stable or other manure is used, it ought to be thoroughly mixed with the soil before planting. Verbenas have been very much neglected in many gardens. Some amateurs find it difficult to transplant layers successfully, but we have found that, provided the layers or runners are allowed to root on the old plants and remain undisturbed all the winter, they may be successfully removed with a ball of earth during September. A bed of these lasts a long time in Hower and they can be cut back and a second crop of bloom secured. They withstand dry weather well. Nasturtiums are another class of old favourites somewhat neglected, yet there are few subjects which so quickly and beautifully adorn any odd place as these do. Our American cousins go in largely for this plant, and they have evolved some striking new sorts, especially variegated leaved, and ivy leaved. The latter, however, do not all come true from seed. Nemesias are now making a fine display in many Auckland gardens. The straggly growing variety appears to be giving way before the compact bushy sorts. The blue gem is a very pretty sort, but unfortunately the Howers are not all of one shade of blue. What is wanted is a deep myosotis blue, which can only be secured by persistent and careful selection. Many varieties of daffodils are in mil flower in Auckland, the earliest sorts being nearly over. These favourite spring bulbs are sending up strong healthy leaves, and given a continuance of favourable weather should give a good account of themselves this season. The daffodil shows will be upon us directly, and many will be looking forward to seeing and noting some good things. It would be well if growers when exhibiting blooms, would note on the name cards the price at which bulbs can be purchased.