NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS

New Zealand Tablet, 5 August 1915, Page 43

NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS

To the Editor. Sir,l have been following with interest the gardening notes by Mr. Joyce, landscape gardener, of Christchurch, and his article in the X.Z. Tablet of January 14 on native trees and shrubs is exceedingly interesting to all lovers of native bush, as he gives in detail the habit and growth of many of our New Zealand flora. In concluding his instructive remarks, Mr. Joyce says:—‘lt would be an interesting sight to sec a garden laid out and planted with all native trees and shrubs.’ At the Ruakura Farm of Instruction, Hamilton, such a garden actually exists, and is the admiration of all visitors to the station. Planted out and labelled, with their botanical and native names, are some three hundred native trees and shrubs, and among the collection are over sixty named varieties of veronicas, and ten of the olearia family. There is also to be seen stretches of native hedges, of which dodouca viscosa (ake ake) and pittospornm tenuifolium look the best. The garden is laid out. on the curve, which lends a more artistic appearance to the. whole design. In conclusion, I would like to congratulate Mr. Joyce on his excellent articles, and the practical value there is to bo derived therefrom.— l am, etc., T. B. Roach. Hamilton East, July 28.