GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 15, 12 October 1918, Page 12

GARDEN NOTES

(By "Kowhai.") SINGLE CHRYSANTHEMUMS. Before amateur gai'dcncrß complete thoir chrysanthemum plaining, I should liko to put, in a "tai for the singlc-flowcrcd varieties. As tlccorativo plants they are charming, both for tho garden and for the house, for the flowers are eo light and dainty that scarcely any disbudding is necessary, in the garden, bushes become a mass of beautiful bloom, and they never havo the heavy, tightly-packed look that double chrysanthemums have when disbudding has not been practised. In bowlß or vases the single-flowered varieties are so easily and cllcctivcly arranged that every year thois is an increasing demand for thorn as cut flowers. Specialists have now introduced a type with threo or four rows of ray florets. Tho flowers of this variety are much more servicoablo than those of the old single variety with only one row of ray florets. Tho culture of single-flowered chrysanthemums is the same as for tho other varieties. During September and October rooted cuttings aru put out in well prepared ground. As soon as the leading shoot is about six inches high it is pinched back. Several other shoots are then formed, and these in turn arc- pinched back as soon as they aro several inches high. The result of this pinching is that fine bushy plants of medium height are produced. During October and November the soil about the plants should bo kept well hoed. Early in December a little bonodust, or blood and bonedust mixed, may bo pricked into tho soil about the plants. The plants should then have a thorough watering, to be followed immediately by the application of a suitable mulch. Stakes should bo supplied at an early date, and the growths should be poured to. them from tirao to time. If a little thinning out of the buds is practised, the flowers will be larger, and the naturally light effect of tho flowerladen branches much emphasised. HYACINTHS. ' As soon as tho floworß have faded the flowering stems should bo cut oil to nrevoufc seed being formed. In the process of maturing seed much energy is expended that would otherwise be concentrated on the developing and building up of tho bulbs. And if good flowers are desired next season, tho bulbs must have every chance to store up the necessary food. The Icaveß should be left untouched, and they 1 will die down naturally when the plant has no further use for them. A LAVENDER GARDEN. There is such a variety of shades among lavender flowers that one must exerciße the gravest caro in plannirig a lavender garden. There are, of oourse, several flowers of a pure, pale inauvo or lavender shade, but to me a garden of flowers of only one shade would seem monotonous. It iB the arranging and blending of various shades of one colour that give such interest and charm to a garden, and when the result is one harmonious whole it is a pleasure to all who see it. Some lavender flowers have a charming tinge of pink; others again have a suggestion of heliotrope or purple. Among flowers that are generally termed palo blue, we often find some that are 50 lavender-blue in shade that it is difficult to say definitely which they are. Among these, notably, aro the Argentine pea, and that lovely little winter iris stylosa. Among delphiniums, too, many of tho pale blue shades might quite easily be put into a lavender led. Gypsophila paniculata is a great addition to almost any garden, but in tha lavender one it is indispensable. The lovely soft looking masseß of grey-white flowers are never so attractive <ib when they have pushed their way in among a mass of lavender blooms. Bushes of sweet lav. ender should form the foundation of a lavender bed, for the grey-green foliage is always attractive, and makes a charminK setting for lavender flowers of every shade. Beginning with early spring there are I primroßes, pale mauve violets, crocuses, and pale mauve aubrietia. If sweet peas are sown about the end of February or the beginning of March the plants should flower quite early. Three good varieties ara Lavender George Herbert, E. F. Folton, and Umvin's True Lavondor. Seed may bo sown again at tho end of July and during September and October to keep up a succession. Autumn sown annuals will flower early in October. Among these are:—6'odetia, Sutton's Double"' Mauve, and Sutton's Lavender Gem; larkspur, pnlo.mauvf, mauvo schizanthus and schizanthus pinuatus. Anions tho palo blue shades of pausics and violas will bo found soma that are lavender-blue. If tho seed is sown during February or March, the plants will be ready to bed out early in the spring. During Into spring and early summer tho following plants would make a good show in tho. lavender garden :—Argentino pea (Latbyrus pubsscens), sweet poas, godetfa, larkspur, pansics, violas, Fchizanthus, scabious Caucasia-, and sweet acaoious (mauvo shaded). During November, December, and January :-Can!erbury bells (palo mauve), carnations, Lavender Sensation (perpetual flowering carnation), and Greyhound (border carnation), delphinium, erigoron, speciosus and Lavender Lady, eryngium planum, lavender, helitrope (pale shades), pale mauve uemophfla, phlox drumniondli, Sutton'B Mauvo Beauty, scabiosa Oaucasica, sweet scabious, statice, sinuata (annual), and latifolia (perennial),, gladioli, Maisio and Lucy Allen, and swee_t sultan. During February and March:—Alters, cactus dahlias, Crespy and Clincher, statice, sweet sultan, perennial phlox, Usclarmonde, spring-sown annuals such as sweet scabious, larkspur, godetia and sweet. «3as, pansios and violas, cosmos, heliotrope, erigeron. During the end of autumn and early in winter Michaelmas daisies and chrysanthemums would bo added to the list. By careful shading, chrysanthemums may be carried well on into the winter, when iris stylosa and palo mauve violets would be In flower. Lobelia, Sutton's Azure Blue, is 80 nearly lavender in shade that it could be used to make a clsarming edging for the lavender garden. A deeper shade of mauvo may be introduced to the garden by using stock, Queen Alexandra. The colour is glorious rosy lilac, and blends well with some Bhadcs of paler mauve. Some of tho new dwarf lilacs, too. might easily be added to the bed. One of their great charms is.that, unlike the old varieties, they flower tha first year they aro sown.

LIST OF PLANTS. Violets, Marie Louise (doublo lavender), and May Jackson (single); sweet peas. Lavender George Herbert, It. F. Foltou, and Unwin's True Lavender; godetia, Sutton's Doublo Mauve, Sutton's Lavender Ueni: argentine pea, Latbyrus pubescens, carnations, Lavender Sensation, and Grey hound; erigeron,, Speciosuo and Lavender Lady; phlox drui'muondii, Sutton's Mauvi> Beauty; perennial pjilox, Esclarmonde; petunia, Lady Beatrice; Michaelmas daisy, William Marshall, Djana, and E. G. Lowe: cactus dahlias, Orespy and Clincher; chrysanthemums, 0. G. Jubilee and Mrs. Barkley; statice, Sjntiata. and Latifolia; gladioli, Maisie. and Lucy Allen; stock, Queen Alexandra. VEGETABLES. The heaps or holes where vegetable mar. ' rows and pumpkins aio to be grown should be prepared as soon as possible now. In very hot, dry districts holes are tlio best for growing morrows, etc., in. These Bhould ho due out now to a depth of about three feet. The width will depend upon the number of plants to be put into each hole. Beiin filling in the holes with well-rotted majjure and well-decayed vegetable rubbish. 2 fair amount of soil should be thorougiily mixed with this. Fill in the holes to within two or three inches ■of the top. Throw in washing water and household slops till the contents of the holo arc well saturated. Should any smell come from the hole sprinkle a little lime over the surface. Seeds may be planted as soon aB tho holes are ready. VeKetable seedlings that arc in seed pans niust be constantly attended to. Keep the soil moißt, but not sodden. Should the soil becomo caked, loosen it with a pointed stick. Plant out tomato seedlings that are in seed pans, and make a sowiug of tomatoes out of doors in a prepared bed. Keen lettuces and cabbages well syringed to keep away jreenny. Hoe betwecu the rows of plants regi;lnrly, always pushing the earth a littl* towards tire cabbages, and so gradually earthing them up. Sowings should be made this month of savoy cabbage, Brussels sproutß, and broccoli. Sow a little lettuce seed in drills every few weeks for succession. Make a new sowing of radishes as soon ■ as the previous one appears through the i ground. Continue planting potatoes. Earth up early potatoes while the soil is moist and sun-warmed. Sprinklo a very little nitrate of soda along the rows before doing so. Whoro necessary the following seeds may bo sown .-—Beet, leeks, onions, turnips., marrows, pumpki'nSj cabbages, cauliflowers, savoys, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, parsley, lettuce, tomatoes, and celery. G(i"''<Mi Note? next week will contain sensonablc notes about violets, routine work, and vegetables.