PRIZE GARDENS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20099, 1 December 1930, Page 8

PRIZE GARDENS.

SUMNER-REDCLIFFS. JUDGES' AWARDS. The judging for the second annual garden competition in Sumner and Redcliffs, which began on Friday, was concluded on Saturday.afternoon, when the judges were Messrs H. L. Darton, O. W. B. Anderson, W. S. \ouug, and M. F. Barnett, of the Canterbury Horticultural Society. Gardens on the flat in the two boroughs were inspected on Friday, while on Saturday the judges visited those on Scarborough, Clifton, and Richmond Hills. There were fortyfive entries in all. Of the gardens on the flat, those in Red cliffs were first visited, and they proved to be slightly the more forward. The judges accounted for this l>y the fact that the Redcliffs soil was better to work with, while the more northerly aspect was also an advantage. There was a general improvement in the standard as compared with last year. Three general groupings were to be observed among the hill gardens inspected on Saturday, and these roughly corresponded with the three on which they were situated. On Scarborough, where the slope was very steep, every inch of ground had to l)e worked for, so that the gardens consisted of a number of small broken terraces, the stone walls of which were generally covered with various kinds of thick flowering growth, while in some cases artistic, advantage was taken of what might have been a drawback by planting roses against the walls. All the gardens in this area showed good design, and bore evidence of much painstaking care, and had generally a line show of bloom. Outstanding among them were the gardens of Miss 15. Williams, with its general broad treatment, fine roses, and artistic blend of colour, and of Mr G. F. Gee, with its original and effective lay-out on a very steep slope, and its great variety of blossom. On Richmond Hill the first noticeable effect was that more use had been made of shade and shelter, which was needed, as the gardens faced in a more westerly direction than, for example, those on Clifton. The gardens of both Mr S. K. Bassett and Mr B. Smith had a fine array of succulents, Mr Smith's having a more open treatment, with some good ericas and a display of sulphur daisies. Mr Bassett's was notable for the pleasant effect gained by a secluded terraced lawn, the chief note being that of an extended rookery. Mr T. 13. Boulton's narden wns really magnificent, the massing of colours was very effective, and the general planning was a delight. Fine touches of colour were given by calceolarias, cinerarias, with bright, touches of broom, and masses of acquilegias in a central row. A different effect was achieved on Clifton, where the characteristic note was a closer massing of colour, with less open space, and, all hough in general the same varieties were to bo found there as on the other hills, there was a greater dominance of geraniums of different species, and of daisies. The roses also woro remarkably fine. The gardens of the Mi sses Wilson and of Mrs C. P. Gough made a particularly fine display, although the general standard was very high, while some of the gardens which had beon made within the past year or bo made a fine showing. The impression gathered by any observer fortunate enough to view the private gardens of Sumner and Redcliffs must bo that these boroughs are indeed garden areas. The absence of high dividing fences between the hill sections, the intense cultivation, even where every bit of soil has to be fought for, the intimacy, the masses of colour, the success which has attended the efforts of all the gardeners in growing novol species, in particular the fine roses which are found everywhere, combine to produce an effect which could scarcely be equalled. Points were awarded on a basis of thirty each for general lay-out, cultivation, and maintenance, flowers, and shrubs, with ten for special features. Results were as follows: Gardens on tho Flat. REDCLIFFS. Mrs S. P. Palton and Mr \V. Martin, 77 each (equal) . . 1 Mrs A. King, 51) .. . . 2 SUMNER. Mr J. H. Thomas, 70 .. 1 Mr C. B. Massey, 6f> . . 2 Mr F. C. Gurnsey, 67 .. 3 Gardens on the Hill. Mr T. B. Boulton, 85 .. 1 Mr G. F. Gee, 83 . . Mr S. K. Bassett, Mr B. Smith, and Mrs O. 1).- Gough, 77 each (equal) . . . . o