GARDEN NOTES
(Br "Kotthm.").
Thwo notes are written solely for tho amateur gardener, for the busy city man who likes to spend. an hour or two in. tho garden after being shut up all day, for tho woman who derives great pleasure from growing a few plants to brighten her home, out to whom it would bo a weariness to study garden bookß, and for all those who tire endeavouring to keop a small garden bright and attractive all the year round. To these I 6ay do not attempt to grow too muoh. Ohooso what plants you want for your garden and for supplying the house with cut flowers, ana whatever you decide upon grow the beat of its kind that 1b to be obtained. Headers are invited to ask Questions. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. "Kelburn" writes:—"Could you tell me if a jessamine plant, that iB growing up to the roof, should bo pruned? And, if so, would this be the time, since the leaves are turning? Can jessamine be propagated by cuttings P" Jessamine needs very little pruning. Jasminum Nurdiflorum, that is, the jessamine that flowers during winter beforo it haa its leaves, should have all shoots that have flowered cut back fairly close directly after flowering. This encourages new snoots for flowering next season. The other jessamines, both white and yellow, should have the old wood cut out, weak Bhoots should be removed, and very long flowering shoots may be shortened a little, though it is as well to leave strong new growth alone as much aa possible. This should be done about the end of July or the beginning of August. Jessamine is easily propagated by cuttings. Tate nicely-ripened wood of last year's growth. Insert the cuttings in a mixture of soil and sand, and keep them moist, but not over wet, tiir they make root. You will know when they have taken root, because they will begin then to make new leaves and shoots. Sand is very necessary in the soil used for striking cuttings, because it ensures an even amount of moisture around the base of the cutting. Those inserted in ordinary soil without sand often damp off before they can strike. > A Teader of "Garden Notes" writes:— "I have a kowhai tree which has withstood the full force of the prevailing wind, growing on the face of an almost perpendicular rocky cliff, devoid of any soil excepting rock talus of a rough ■ nature. I have carefully collected the seed (a packet of which I forward you),, believing that it will grow comparatively well on tho rocky banks in Wellington. The above-montioned treo may, I think, be considered specially hardy, and acclimatised to a somewhat unusual environment. I shall be glad to hear of someone who will take an interest in tho seeds; and also to hear with what degree of eucoess. Before planting they should be placed in almost boiling water, and allowed to cool and soak overnight. I think the soil should be neither damp nor rich, particularly so far as the young transplanted trees are concerned." I have to thank my correspondent for m interesting note, and also for a packet of the seeds above-mentioned. I shall try some of the seeds myself, and hope to distribute the rest among those who will appreciate them, or to any readers who might care to ask me for some.—"Kowhai." FLOWERING SHRUBS. In sheltered places the daphne is already out in flower, and filling the garden with perfume. Daphne seemß to flourish wherever it is planted as long a 9 the soil is moderately good, and needs Tery little attention. The addition of peat and sand to the soil will greatly improve the bushes, though quite good results are obtained from ordinary well-worked garden soil. Daphne is a splendid flower for cutting, and lasts a very long time in water. Judicious cutting of the flowers for the house also provides all the pruning that is necessary for the plants. Other winter flowering shrubs are:— Jasminum Nudiflorum, Pyrus Japonica, Camellias, Chimnonanthus Fragrana, Kerria Japonica, Viburnum Sbandishii (Giant Laurestinus). PYRUS JAPONICA. This plant will thrive in any soil, and may be trained against a wall or fence, or grown a 9 a bush. The oolours of the flowers vary from white to dark red. The scarlet Japonica is already in flower, and will continue to make a glowing bit of colour in the garden for many weeks to come. CAMELLIAS. Camellias naturally prefer a slightly shady position. The soil should be deeply dug, and a top-dressing of well-rotteil manure given after the plants are put in. Camellias like soot, especially when it ia applied as a liquid manure. Young plants should be partially disbudded, as they are so apt to overflower themselves. ™7,,™ sometimes spoil the flowers, 7 A difficulty may be overcome by planting camellias where they will obtain protection from frost from a, sheltering wall- or tree. A strong brueh-wood fence covered with sweet peas, or some other ctfeeper, makes an effective and picturesque screen for a camellia tree. The varieties are bo numerous that I must refer readers to & nurseryman's oatalogue. All dead flowers should bo removed from the bushes by carefully sorewing them off. Chimnonanthus Fragrana (Japanese v i 1 beautiful winter flowering shrub, which bears large, fragrant yellow flowers. It may be grown as a shrub or a climber. Kerria Japonica Flore Pleno is a wellknown old-fashioned winlter flowering shrub, commonly called "yellow buttons." It has large double yellow flowers growing up the long shoots. It is a most graceful and showy shrub, and succecds well in any soil or situation. It makr-s a splendid climber, but grows equally well as a bush. Cotoneaster Microphylla is a dwnrfgrcwing shmb, which is covered with bright red berries in winter. _ Garrya Elliptica is a quaint shrub that is covered with long, greenish-yellow CRtkins in winter. The catkin-covered branches make a splendid room decoration when flowers are scarce. PETUNIAS. Petunias are grown either from seed sown in the autumn or the spring, or from cuttings. It is not yet too late to striko cuttings of petunias. . They are very hardy plants, and thrive in any good • garden soil. Single petunias with frilled edges are perhaps the most effective for growing in borders. Small-Tooted cuttings or Beedlings planted out in tho spring soon grow into large spreading bushes. If the long shoots aro pinned down in tho same way as flowering verbenas are, the plants are kept tidy and are also protected from wind. The flowers aro produced in abundance during the spring, summer, and autumn, and even well on into the winter. In- ' deed, with some petunias it is hard to ' An they are not in flower. ! Ihe young tips of tho branches striko ! very freely. , ma,ke good cut flowers, and ' ™ Plants are all the better for the ' Bowers being freely picked. i ORIENTAL POPPIES. l-'™? 3 of these poppies are s m a bo " lcr 9 f mixed flowj.u ' i„ r lS nl v a -iv la ? handsome foliage W 3E flowers rise on «« « i stems. Tho scarlet poppies T w ! mmon ' but ™>w there is il ]? „ S sa J O ," , coloure (l one that 13 <t v.elcomo addition. The Oriental poppy likes a rich, well-drained soil, and a sunny portion. As it. nnkei long strong tap-roots it requires also deS f dumps should bo left undisturbed for as long as possible. As sUIV M sW I fl u ,elin ( K $ over tho fcfi l •i 6 C i'; t off - A little ,)0 >3CM«l t ( sml riroun <l established plants now will help them to make vigorous growth. LABELS. np the Karden wintor 600 tllafc the names of plants on labels are still quite legible. Renew labels .^ ur fr.T men stock an indelible lead pencil which is very good for writing names on labels. Neat labels may be bought also at a very 6mal! cost. It ia a pity to disfigure one'i garden with large and untidy pieces of packing-cases, when small, 'tidy labels /an bo purchased bo cheaply. Labels, iike stakes, are very necessary in a. gardon, but both must be hidden as much as possible.
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Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2486, 12 June 1915, Page 15
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1,363GARDEN NOTES Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2486, 12 June 1915, Page 15
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