GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 158, 29 March 1919, Page 12

GARDEN NOTES

(By "Kowhal.") SOLOMOX'S SEAL (Polygonatum). .Solomon's Seal is a quaint old flower that is not often -seen in gardens nowadays; yet if is a most useful subject for a shady corner. Those who have a cool, shady spot near a. stream or pond, or under tree-ferns on the edge of the bimh, Bhould plant Solomon's Seal freely, for tho gracefully bent ilowcr-stems and rows of iiuaiut pendulous white iiowers make a, charming picture in spring. Plants may be increased-by root division or by sowing seeds in autumn. Tho soil should bo light, fairly rich, and moist. IXIAS. Ixias or African corn lilies aro most useful garden subjects. • They como into flower towards tho end of tho spring, when narcisßi aro over and early-flower-ing gladioli scarcely out. Tho habit of Iho plants is exceedingly graceful. Towards tho end of tho wintor tho thin blade-like leaves como pushing rip from tho soil, to bo followed almost at onco by long slender flower Btems that bond gracefully beneath their dainty load. , The old green variety, ixia. viridillora. is very well known, but during tho last few years many now varieties havo come upon the market, till'now we can havo ixias in almost every gay or dainty Bhade. As cut liowers they aro splendid, for they aro easily arranged and last a- long time in water.. The bulbs should bo planted about three inches deep in deeply-dug, light, rich soil. Some gardeners recommend lifting tho bulbs every year, .but I leave mine undisturbed for many years, and the clumps are more beautiful every year. In fact, they aro only lifted when the bulbs becomo so thick that they crowd iiu abovo the -soil.

Towards the cud of the autumn a light mtilcli of thoroughly decayd manure is spread over each clump, f/epda aro always carefully pulled out, and, when tho flower-buds appear tho stems aro encircled with a, hoop of thin wire attached to a. few neat stakes. This is really necessary, for the ilowcr-stems aro so lone; and Ihe load of flowers so heavy that'they are bent, to the trrnnnd unless upheld by this unobtrusive device. And with this, tho scantiest of attention the bulbs thrive splendidly and produce caeli spring a wealth of beautiful bloom. They aro certainly ideal plants for the/busy gardener, and one wishes that their flowering; season could be longer.

MOBPBTXI A. PANICTJLATA. Tills charming plant is closely allied to the ixia, and has the same graceful habit of growth. The tlowers arcsoft red-bull' in colour, .and although fragile in appearance are quite hardy. Like ixias. morphlxia enjoys 11 aunny position, and welldrained, light, rich soil.

BOUTINS WORK. Cosmoß.—Cosmos plants aro just opening their dainty dowers, aud soon thebushes will be among the most attractive subjects in the autumn garden. Careful staking is nioFt important, for tho branches seem to be exceptionally brittle just as ilowerinp; begins, and tho plants have still to face .much boisterous woather.' The roots of cosmos make a iniit-lfko growth close to tho surface of the soil, and they very much appreciate a. mulch beiiiß. spread above theni. Welldecayed cow manure is splendid for this mulch, but wpll-decayed vegetable risbbisli or leaves doriuito well. Water can be supplied to the plans .throutrli tho mulch! Serines.—Serines aro ma.kine a brilliant show at present, and tho lovely scarlet flowers are fairly revelling in ilia unlimited amount of sunshine they are having this autumn. Like most of tho bulbous plants that have come to us from Africa, they like a, cool root run during tho growing season, and plenty ol overhead sunshine. ' Water sliould be sunplied freely as'bns as dry wefflhcr lasts, and a light mulch may be spread round the bulbs, but not over them, for thc.'r thorough ripeninu is essential to jjood (lowering. Liliums.—Liliums must havo plenty of water aB, lonrc as tho flowers last, and should still be. kept supplied with sufficient water until tho;leaves. becin to turn yellow. A mulch of half-rotted cow manure ib a great help' towards securing lons (lowering-stems and largo Howcm. Michaelmas Daisies.—Tho earliest of the Michaelmas daisies, are beautiful just' now, while tlio later ones aro fast decking themselves with myrhcls of dainty flowers. Where the bushes have been well grown and skilfully staked, there ace now great soft-looking billowy masses of white, mauvo bluo, and pink flowers. Of all tho autumn liowers, Michaelmas daisies are, when well grown, tho most effective, and the cavdencr's skill in staking is a big factor in the effect produced.

If tho ground was well prepared for the plants very little ■ attention is needed now, willi the exception ncrhaps of a littlo additional staking. Tlio soil should be kept loose by frequent booing. Chrysanthemums-Chrysanthemums need constant attention jiißt now. If a mulch has not already been provided, no linio should be lost in doing so, for much of tho duality of tlio blooms depends upon the rvts of the plants being kept cool and moist.' Weak liquid uanuro may bo .given from time to. time after a good watering. Disbudding is almost a daily occupation, for the llowor-buds form and swell so quickly, and so is the search for the bud-catin<j caterpillar. There is not much trace of rust tins vcar, for the frequent rains in tho early part of the Bcason gave the plants a good start.' In most gardens plains aro covered with healthy foliage right down to the base of the stems. Gladioli.—As soon as tho foliage begins to fade the conns may, bo lifted and stored away for the winter. Cornis of early-flowering l varieties should be planted aB. soon as possible. Dcforo planting them dig tho soil very dccplV, nnd add to it bouic well-decayed vegetable rubbish and a dressing of bonedust. Spread a layer of river or silver sand for the cornis to rest on. Irises-English and Spanish _ irises should be planted as soon as possible to ■allow tho bulbs timo to make strong roots before they send up their flowering stems. A light sandy soil, to which some decayed'vegetable rubbish and a avessmg of boncdust have been added, is most suitable for irises. English and Spanish irises are splendid for growing in clumps in a mixed border or for growing in a well-drained position oil the sunny edgo of a, stream or poiid. Iris reticulata, is ono of tho gems of the spring garden, for, in addition- to iheir exquisite colour, the blooms are very fragrant. Irises liko plenty of sand in the soil and a sunny position. Tlio bulbs increase so quickly that it is necessary to lift them every, second year. Autumn Crocuscs.-Tlic buds of these gay little autumn flowers are, just beginning to peep above tho soil, and a thorough watering should be given to them. Autumn crocuses aro generally much more satisfactory than spring ones, for at this timo of the year there is a pleasing absence of slugs, and sparows are neither so hungry nor so mischievous as they are in spring. Where a mulch of decayed leaves, vegetable rubbish, or manure was spread above the bulbs early. in January the flowers will be specially line. No sooner have one or two of the dainty littlo flowers opened in the warm' sunshine than hostß of others come quickly crowding up until their part of tho garden iB carpeted with glorious gold, or coollooking dainty white. VEGETABLES. TOMATOES. Tomatoes have been ripening very slowly in most gardens. Don't allow any more flowers to set unless Bmall green tomatoes arc wanted for picklo. All the strength of tho plants should now bo concentrated in tho ripening fruit. Cover the plants at night if a frost seems imminent. Keep side-shoots severely pinched out. BROAD ISEAX3. Make a small sowing of broad beans, in ground that has already been manured this autumn. Tread the ground, well to make it firm, and then boo tho surface before making the drills for the needs. Choose a- part of your vegetable garden that gets all the winter sun, as this sowing is to produce beans for uso in spring. A larger sowing may be made later on. Tho sccdß should be livo or six incites apart, and the rows two feet apart. liarlinglon Windsor is a good kind to grow.

EOUTINE WOKIC. Cut marrows and pumpkins as soon as tlicy ripen to give those that are coming on a chanco to ripen. Keep ■ picking the pods off Bcarlet runners and French licans, soak tho Eoil with ivnier once a week, ami hoc diligently between the waterings. Winter greens must 'lie kept drawing vigorously. Wherever it is possible a mulch of well-decayed manure or vegetable rulibinh should be spread about the plants, and copious supplies of water r.hould be given regularly. .Syringe the leaves regularly with clear water to keep away aphin, flow seeds. of carrots, onions, turnips, ami silver beet ou thoroughly moist ground.

"Garden Notes" next week will contain seasonable notes about:—Aiimiala for spring flowering, routine work, and vegetables.