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GARDEN NOTES

(By "Kowhai.") IE 1(3 STI'LOSA. Before many weeks elapse this beautiful little winter iris will be opening its fragrant pale-bluo flowers. If the half-opened buds are picked in the cool of tlio morning, they will open out in water and remain fresh for several days. It is a. good plan, just before flowering time, to thin out noine of the blade-like leaves, for so donse ia their growth, that very often the fragile blooms become spoilt as they push their way up into the sunshine. Clumps should be given several good waterings now. The best time to plant iris stylosa is just after (lowering is over, early in tho spring. But clumps may bo planted now provided they aro kept well watered. Tho soil should be deeply dug and well drained, and should have added to it a considerable quantity of coarse grit. Heavy soils should be particularly well drained and well lightened, for tho plants do not lilto cold stagnant water lying about their roots during winter time, if tho plants aro to flower early in the winter, they should bo given a sunny, sheltered position. Besides the variety with pale blue flowers, thcro is ono with dainty white flowers which is well worth cultivating, j ANCHUSA'S. Anchusas liavo been lovely this summer, well-grown and well-staked hushes having provided brilliant patches of glorious.blue in tho borders. Wants that have finished flowering should bo cut down, and given a good watering. Any time during ihiß month or next, large roots may bo lifted and divided up, healthy pieces being replanted in deeply-dug soil. Meed may be sown now tp provide a supply of now plants. The soil in the pans 'should be sandy and moist. If the pans can be placed in tho shelter of a frame, so much the better. Clover them with sheets of newspaper till germination takes place, aud keep the frame closed. Tho seed is father slow to gorminate, but as soon as it does so, admit light and air freely, and keep the seedlings well watered. Anchusa Italica Dropmore is the best variety to grow. ROUTINE WORK. Cut back hardy perennials as soon as they have ceaeed flowering. Plant out carnation layers as soon as they are well rooted. Cut back tho flowering stems of lilium tigrinum, and spread a mulch of welldecayed cow manuro over the clumps. Speciosa. lilies should bo treated in the same way as soon as tho foliage has ripened. Where clumps have become too big, the bulbs may now bo lifted and sorted out according to their Bizeß. Replant in deeply-dug, well-enriched ground, taking care that manuro does not como into actual contact with the "bulbs. As a precaution against lily disease, dust flowers of sulphur in amongst tho scales of the bullis. The bulbs should bo planted quite. six inches deep, because these lilies make roots abovo as well as below the bulbs. Lift 'clumps of monibretia; sort out the bulbs, and replant in deeply-dug soil, Jfontbretias soon deteriorate if left longer than two years in the sumo place. Large clumps of delphiniums may be lifted and broken up, strong pieces from the outside of tho clumps being replanted. Clumps that aro not to be lifted may bo cut back as- soon as they have finished flowering, and covered with a inuloh of well-decayed manure. Or a dressing of bonedust may bo pricked in round the plants, and a muloli of well-decayed vegetable rubbish used. Plant out hardy cyclamens in the rock garden and among ferns. Gather leavos as they fall, store them in holes, and sprinkle salt over them. Take all tho cuttings that will be needed for next year's supply of plants. It is always safo to rake more than one may need in case of failure among other plants. , Lift gladiolus corms and store them in paper Irfigs for the winter. l'ausies are at their best during spring and early summer. Hurry seedlings along so that they may be put out into their flowering quarters before winter sets in. I'ansies require deeply-dug, rich soil, and a position sheltered from wind. IiUODODENDIiONS. Bhododcn'drons should be planted as early in the autumn as they can be obtained, provided the soil is fairly damp and likely to remain so. As they aro essentially moisture-loving plants, it is a pity to plant them during, a dry spell, aa tho struggle to establish them will exhaust tho plants, and exasperate the gardener. . Apart from their great beauty, rhododendrons are most usoful shrubs. There is such an endless variety of tlicm, including dwarf-growing kinds, medium-sized kinds, and kinds that can scarcoly bo callod shrubs, for they are as large as j- trees. The foliage is beautiful at all times, and the gay heads of bloom are simplv magnificent. Another charm of this shrub is that by choosing diiferent varieties one niny have rhododendrons in bloom for tho best part of the year, liven the tiniest garden may boast at least one dwarf-growing rhododendron, and those who have room may. procure far themselves infinite joy by planting whole beds, shrubberies, or banks of rhododendrons. The taller growing varieties should be grown at the back; medium-sized ones may come next; and' dwarf-growing varieties should be planted along the front. Among tho dwarf rhododendrons one may plant ericas, azaleas, and big clumps of liliums. A sloping bank so planted makes a very beautiful picture. Liliums will grow among rhododendrons and azaleas as they will grow nowhere else. They lovo the same peaty-sandy soil that the shrubs love, and their rootß are kept so cool' and moist in the shade oast by the shrubs that there is littlo fear of their suffering from drought. . Rhododendrons will grow in any good garden soil provided it is well dug, well drained, and free from lime. But if you want to see them at their best, mix with the soil plenty of peat soil, leaf soil, and sand. In planting, do not have them too dcop; their topmost roots should not be ■ inoro than halt «n inch belmf the surface ■of the soil. The roots love to havo the warm air 'circulating freely among them, but they must be so protected that tho sun's rays do not fall directly upon them. The warmth or the sun Bhould reach them through tho medium of a mulch of decayed leaveß, or thoroughly rotted manuro which, while admitting warmth and air, prevents the evaporation of moisture from the soil. '

When planting rhododendrons on a clay bank, dig out a wide hole about two feet deep, and break up tho soil in the bottom of the hole with a pick. Fill in the liolo with peat soil, Banc), and good loam. VEGETABLES. TOMATOES. Drive in a few kill stakes round tomato plants, and on fiWsty nights throw pieces of scrim, or sugar bag cut open, over them. Have the stakes so that the covering will bo about a foot above the plants. Or, pull up tho tomato plants by the roots, and suspend them from a nail on a sheltered wall or in a frost-proof shed. The tomatoes may not have such a good flavour when ripened in this way, but they are Bplendid for cooking. The small green ones may be used for mustard pickles or chutney. STORING OARROT6 AND BEET. Oarrots and beet that arc matured may bo lifted and stored iu dry sand. Great care is necessary in lifting beet, becauso it bleeds if the skin becomes broken. Cut tho tops olf the carrots, but leave them on tho beet till it ie required for use. Beo that 'both vegetables are .dry before thev arc stored in tho Band. Where Baud can« . not be had dry earth will do. BRUSSELS SPKOUTS. If Brussels sprouts aro kept well earthed tip the top heavy plants will be better able to withstand wind. Hoe constantly between tho rows, always pushing the earth towards the plants as you hoe. Old decayed leaveß Bhould be removed at onco and burnt, but healthy leaveß must on no account be cut away, tor on them devolves much of the work of supplying food to tho plants. WINTER CABBAGES. Tender young cabb'iiges are more acceptable during wiuter aud early Bpring than at any other time, for they make a very welcome change from tho rather stodgy parsnips, pumpkins, carrots,' dried beans, etc., that form so largo a part of our winter diet. Young plants should be encouraged to make steady growth by constant hoeing. If the earth is pushed towards tho plants as hoeing proceeds, thoy will bo gradually earthed up and so kept firm. I'lantß that are allowed to sway about in the wind cannot mako good growth, l'or their roots are constantly bein" loosened. Examine tho plantß frequently for caterpillars, etc. A juicy young cabbago is a favourite feeding place of caterpillars, sings, etc. More seedling cabbages should bo planted out wherovcr necessary. The soil for winter greens should be firm and not over rich. Garden Notes next week will contain seasonable notes about :-Prepariiig the ground for i'obcs v routine work, mid vegetables.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19190419.2.114

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 175, 19 April 1919, Page 12

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,520

GARDEN NOTES Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 175, 19 April 1919, Page 12

GARDEN NOTES Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 175, 19 April 1919, Page 12

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