HOME GARDENS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 47, 18 May 1948, Page 7

HOME GARDENS

(By J. W. Goodwin, N.D.H. (N.Z.), F.R.H.S., Massey Agricultural College.)

CRAB-APPLES AND OTHERS

Last week we discussed a varied and interesting range of berrying plants. Many readers will have realised that some of the largest families most noted for their fruits are as yet unmentioned. Many different crab-apples are grown including some excellent New Zealand raised varieties. Some varieties are noted for beauty of flower, fruit and foliage. Most 'notable of these is pyrus eleyii, with red flowers, purple foliage and red fruit. There are also several others with rather similar effects..

Pyrus Georgeous is a well-known small tree which bears heavy crops of scarlet fruit. Wrigh’s scarlet bears slightly larger fruits of similar colour. Robert ‘Naim bears round bright yellow fruits whilst John Downie, of upright growth, produces ovalshaped, red-striped fruit. Montreal Beauty has a similarly coloured roundish fruit. Allied to these are the Rowans, which are particularly suited to colder districts, wherp they fruit heavily and colour well. There are numerous species and varieties, many of which will become more widely known in the next few years. Crataegus, the “Thorns,” are sometimes termed “Quicks,” and this title can well be appreciated by one who has dared to argue with these formidable weapons. There are large numbers of species, many of which have never been tried out under New Zealand conditions. We hope to try at Massey College the best of these that have given effective results overseas. They contain species noted for flowers, autumn foliage or fruit, whilst some are spreading, almost horizontal in form, and others more upright. Menace of Fireblight

All previous subjects in this article are deciduous and we now come to the evergreen counterpart of Crataegus. The Pyracantnas, or firethorns, are among the brightest of all fruiting shrubs. They are bushy, spiny shrubs growing 8 to 10 feet high and are suited to hot dry banks and light soils. P. coccinea bears coral-red fruits quarter of an inch across. P. Rogersians and its variety flava have orange and yellow fruits respectively. Lastly,' P. Angustifolia, with its grey-green leaves, produces yellow fruis. This last subject brings us to the question of fireblight. All the plants discussed so far today, ulus cotoneasters and stransvaesia, may be attacked by this disease.

Of those most' subject to attack, Cotoneaster Serotina and Pyracantha Augustifolia are the commonest victims at the present time. The attacks seem to vary with the district and the season and also in the severity of the attack. The two subjects mentioned should be avoided in districts where fireblight occurs. Fireblight is a bacterial infection which at first destroys large numbers of pear trees. Today the attacks become epidemic periodically, but the ever-watchful orchardist is able to reduce losses by pruning and burning infected branches before the disease spreads too far. Action by the home gardener will reduce the attacks on ornamental subjects. Infected plants exude a gum which contains literally millions of the minute bacteria. This occurs usually about flowering time and extends into the summer. Bees and'other, insects coming in contact with this gum spread infection to the flowers or, in the case of sucking or chewing insects, to the young growth of (Tcher plants. Thoroughness in Control

Control of fireblight consists in removing and burning infected parts. We will probably never control fireblight, but by immediate and thorough action may keep it well in check.

The Berberis genus is also a large one, consisting of both evergreen and deciduous species. The majority are prickly, making good barriers, and are most effective when several are grouped together.

Rosa Moyesii with ihch long, bottle-shaped, red fruits must not be forgotten. Among good species are R. Omeiensis and R. Davidii. Remember, these rose species must not be pruned as other r.oses; merely remove worn out or spdinly growth at the base and leave other growing intact. Do not forget the spindle berries—they are good subjects. Enonymous Yedoensis is less known; it has larger leaves than the Common one and there are more species becoming popular overseas.