HOME GARDENS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 11, 22 October 1948, Page 8

HOME GARDENS

(By J. W. Goodwin, N.D.H. (N.Z.),F.R.H.5., Massey Agricultural College.)

CARE OF THE GARDEN HEDGE We have previously discussed the selection of hedge plants suitable for various soils and conditions. We now turn to the care and renovation so necessary to the maintenance of fine hedges. Late spring is the most' opportune time to effect improvements.

in early summer, in which case they should, be pruned early in the new year. However, they may also be pruned in late September, and will then flower in the autumn, but better results are usually obtained by pruning immediately after flowering. Though Fuschias may be showing flower they are better pruned in October after danger from frosts has passed. If allowed to grow on, they become ungainly before the flowering season has flnigtied* Trimming V/hfctt Young’ An essential prerequisite to the development of any class of hedge is frequent trimming when young to develop a good base. Do not attempt to gain height or colour until the hedge is well furnished. Neither is it wise to allow a hedge to flower freely until it has reached the desired height. Plants set in wellprepared ground last planting season may have been shortened back when planted, as recommended in previous notes. These should now be bushing up nicely. The utility of the hedge is to provide shelter and privacy, and a well-kept hedge can be really beautiful. With evergreen non-flowering hedges it is the neat tidy appearance combined with a fresh grey or green colouring which is most attractive. 'This should be the objective of the gardener and may be attained by the observance of three main rules. Firstly, taper the hedge; secondly, trim frequently and closely to just outside the previous cut; thirdly, keqp the hedge free from weeds and keep growth moderately vigoorus. Light is an essential to leaf development and it is for this reason that a hedge which has been tapered, from the base to a narrower top, will remain furnished and more attractive.

Most hedges are really hardy subjects, but there are only a few which will respond to the hard cutting into old wood, which is necessary when they become overgrown. These include “Barberry” (Berberis Vulgaris), Privet, Chinese Honeysuckle (Lonicera Nitida), Eleagnus Japonicas, Laurel, Fuschias, Tamarisk, Holly, Buddleia Escallonia. The last-named is sometimes' attacked by silver blight, particularly when cut hard back during the winter months. All large wounds should be covered with a bitumenous paint or crude petroleum jelly. Two groups which suffer severely from hard cutting are the conifers and the pittosporums. The former include Cupressus Macrocarpa, Lawsoniana and other similar types. Though some plants will recover, the effect is spoilt by others dying. When To Cut Hard cutting of evergreens should always be carried out in the late spring. Growth is then active and plants refurnish themselves and heal their wounds quickly. In the autumn the plant has passed its active growing and there would be insufficient time for refurnishment. Ailtumn pruning should never be more than a light trimming. Winter pruning, when growth is r almost dormant, will usually result in considerable die-back, and considerable losses. For the above-mentioned reasons, late' spring is the most suitable time for routine hedge-trim-ming, but several other factors should be taken into consideration. Flowering hedges should be pruned after flowering, which may vary from late spring in the case of Berberis Stenaphylla and others through till March. The Cydonias (Japonica) require shortening back in January, along with early-sum-mer flowering evergreens. Escallonias and Abelia Grandiflora (Chinensis) may flower well into March in many districts, and should be pruned then. They will thicken up before winter and remain tidy. In the spring they should be allowed to grow and develop the flowering growths. In some districts escallonias have one heavy-flowering period

If the sides have been neglected they may be cut back the year after the top has been reduced, but never cut them hard at the same time &s the top.

Hedges should not be grown too soft and lush but, on the other hand, they should be kept moderately vigorous if they are to retain colour and foliage. A mulch of well-rotted manure after the spring clean-fup will keep the weeds down, conserve moisture and nourish the plant. Two ounces of blood and bone per square yard distributed three feet on each side is a suitable alternative.

Hedge renovations should be carried out now!