GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 173, 17 April 1920, Page 12

GARDEN NOTES

(By "Kowhai.") IRIS 6TVLOSA. With the approach of winter, onc'B thoughtß tura to the flowers, that are to brighten our gardens during the, dull months of the year. One of the first to open its blooms ia-the lovely littlo winterflowering iris stylosa, with pale blue fragrant flowers. If the half-opened buds are picked in the cool of the morning, they will open out in water and remain fresh for several days. It is a good plan, jimt before (lowering time, to thin out some of the blade-hlte leaves, for go dense is their growth that very often the fragile blooms become spoilt as they push their -way up into the sunshine. Clumps growing in dry positions should he given several good waterings now. . . , . The best time to plant iris stylosa. is just after flowering is over, early in the spring. But clumps may be planted re w provided they are kept well watered. The soil should' bo deeply due and well drained, and should have added to It .a considerable miontity of coarse grit. Heavy soils should be particularly well drained and well lightened, for the. plants oV'nt like cold stagnant water lying about their roots during winter. If the plants are to flower early, they should be 'riven a sunnv. sheltered position. Besides the variety with pale blue flowers, there is one -with dainty white flowers which is well worth cultivating.

SUNSHINE IN WINTER. We in New Zealand cannot complain of the amount of sunshine that we get-in winter, but even so we arc only too triad 'to grow anything that will brighten the nil too somlire appearance of our winter gardens. In the city, where the.houses are separated from the street only by a strip of garden that is so narrow that it Is hard to find for it plants that are suitable, a.nd so wind-swept, as a. rnR that it is difficult to get anything to ihrive jn it, it is a relief to know that there is one nlant thai will bring brightness during the worst time of the year. This ib Jasminum. Nudifloriim.. the winter-flower-ing jasminum. The plant is very hardy, and, provided the soil has been well dug nnd prepared, quickly covers a wall or dividing fence. The flowers are produced during winter, when the. bare stems, to the very tips, become covered with a mass of bright yellow star-like flowers, and present such a gay and bright appearance, that the plant has been aptly described as "sunshine in winter." In addition to its brightness, jasminum' nuctflorum has the charm of. intense fragrance. What a treasure for city dwellers! What a welcome it extends to the tired worker when he comes home. Its fragrance.meets him even down the etrcet, and its bright star-like blossoms smile at him as he opens his sate. And all who pass up and down the street send Mm a silent word of thanks and appreciation for the beauty and fragrance that greet thorn as they pas 9 his gate.

ROUTINE WORK. Any runners that are formed on violet plants now should be removed so that all the strength may be thrown into tho plants that are already forming flower. Work a little bonedust into the foil along the sides of the rows, and as near the roots as possible. A slight dressing of well-ripened soot, not on the leaves, but aB near the roots as possible, will also be beneficial.

Large roots of priraroscß and polyanthus nrimrosos may still be broken up, and new borders formed. Work r. little bonedust into tho soil about the roots of the plan's. Primroses and polyanthus primroses' like deoply-dug. well-drained,- rather rich Soil. Anemones are already showing leaf, and from nswon the soil about them must not, be allowed to become dry. Work the soil among tho plants carefully ■with the handfork. . Anemones soon exhaust the soil, and should bo given, a fresh bed every year. ■ , Mignonette seed may bo sown wherever room is available. There cannot !e too much of this fragrant Hower crowing in a garden. The seed. should be sown where the plants are to grow.' Fork into the soil a good quantity.' of coarse roadgrit, and some bonedust. Scatter the seeds ii el!, and just barely cover with very fine earth.

Seeds of schizanthus a.nd cineraria may be sown in a sunny o pot protected from frost. The plants should flower qnito early- in the spring. Boronicums may still be lifted, broken up. and replanted in soil to which a little sand and bonedust have been added. The plants must be kept well supplied' with water afterwards. Doronicums flower bettor if they are lifted and divided each autumn. Cosmos, those that 'have survived the gale of last week, are flowering profusely, and are all the better for slight, disbudding. Keep the plants well secured to their stakes.

Out back perennial plants that have finished flowering. Pill in emptv space i with bulbs, 'Canterbury bells, stocks, wallflowers, antirrhinums, carnations, pansies, and self-sown annuals.

Keen a- strict eye on chrysanthemum plants. They are determined to produce more buds than they can possibly perfect. Remove all superfluous ones early, to throw the strength of the plant into those that are to flower. Protect the flowering buds from caterpillars. t. ■ . Place pieces =f manuka-brush mund eerrbera plants at the first hint of frost. Cut 'P l ™' worn-out lobelia plants, and work a handful of sand in among the roots, n here severe frosts are experienced suffleicnt lobelia plants to sunoly roots for next summer's borders should be lifted and replanted in a frost-proof position. Carnation and- other cuttings that, havo been rooting in frames should bo planted out as soon ap soon aB possible-to wake way for seed-pans.

Save aster seed as it ripens. Tt is easily freed from the fluffy sarachutes by ruhlnng it through a colander.

Seeds of antirrhinums, sweet Bcabions, nigella, phlox drummondii, gaillardiae, sweet peas,- mignonette, coreopsis, godetia, delphinium, and many other hardy plants may be gathered, cleaned, and sown a'» oneo.'

Seeds of nasturtiums, sunflowers, qstcrs, dahlias, French and African marigolds, and any plants that arc injured by frost, may be gathered and stored a,way till spring. Finish planting all Buring-flowering bulbs such as narcissi, snaraxis, hyarintliß, tulips, muEcari, freeinvß, early-flowering gladioli, etc.

Pinißh sowing seeds of perennialß and hardy annuals.'

Cuttings of roses, flowering shrubs, antirrhinums, peiitstemons, violas, tansies, daisies, may still be taken.

Peg down runners of flowering vcrbunas to provide new. plants for the spring. Bulbs of Spanish and . English iriseß Bhould be in place now. Provide twiggy sticks-or small pieces of manuka-brush for seedling fwect peas to cling to. Winter-flowering peas should be encouraged to make quick growth. Keep tho soil about them well Btirred, ami train the seedlings upwards from the start. Keen the garden clear of weeds and well hoed.

VEGETABLES. As soon as seedling turnips show their true leaf, i.e., their rough leaf, they must bo thinned out till they arc one foot apart. If the turnips ore being grown for their tops they niny be thinned to about half this distance, and then left with an occasional dusting of soot or watering with soot-water. Hut if, on the-other hand, the bulbs are wanted, Eome special attention must be paid to the seedlingß After tli inning out, sprinkle superphosphate along the rows, and hoe it in. This gives the young plants a- good start. Water them twice a week with soot water, and hoe after each Catering as soon vs the soil is dry enough.. The turnips will then grow (imckly, and will tc tender and juicy, instead of being stringy and strongflavoured lihe the turnips one in so often invited to eat. Thin out Beedling vegetables as soon as they can be handled. Hoe frequently between cabbage and cauliflower plants to keep them growing quickly. As pumpkins grow it is a good plan occasionally to turn the fruit- round slightly. the time of year is approaching when falling loaves make the garden look very untidy. But as with everything else in the garden wo have a use for them. Big ii hole in eome corner of the garden, and deposit all the leaves in it. As each frj;sh layer of leaves is added, sprinkle it over with salt. As soon ns all the leaves have fallen, cover the hole with a layer of earth, and leave it until mulching material is required in the summer. "Garden Notes" next will contain seasonable notes about:—Preparing (he ground for roses and flowering shrubs routine work, and vegetables.