GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 48, 20 November 1920, Page 14

GARDEN NOTES

(Uy "Kowhai.") ORIENTAL I'OPI'IES. Oriental poppies are gorgeous at the present time, and are adding much to the charm of tho eardcu wherever they are grown. "JU'S. l'erry," that beautiful pale salmon-pink poppy, is especially lovely, and stands out amonp the many shades ot colour tli at are now obtainable. The beautiful blooms are borne on long,, straight stems, sometimes reaching a height of four feet. The folinge is massed at tho foot of the (lower stems, some of the leaves being like large terns. In addition to tho old red Oriental poppy, we have now many beautiful hybrids, comprising shades of salmon, scarlet, rose, and white. Their beauty is sreatly enhanced by large black blotches in the centre of the flowers. They like a rich, well-drained soil, and a sunny position. Tho plants? make long tap roots, and do not like being disturbed once they are established. Seeds may be sown now, and the seedlings should bo planted out aB soon as they aro big onougli to handle. A littlo suporphosphato pricked into tho soil now will help established clumps through their flowering season. PANSIES AND VIOLAS. Pansy and viola plants that have been flowering for some time, need constant attention and liberal feeding if large flowers with thick velvety petaia of sood colour are desired. So often amateur gar-

deners are satisfied to have tho first few flowers fine, and then to allow tlio others to come small-faced and weak of stem. Pansieß. quickly form 'seed pods if the dead flowers aro not removed, and the formation of seed is a severe drain on the strength of the plants. Pansieß, moreover, are gross feeders, and tliie is a fact that is too often overlooked by panßygrowors. Not only must they bo planted ill well-manured ground, but also, after a few weeks of flowering they must be watered, and fed, and hoed in constant succession. lVhcrc water is scarce, give tho plants ono good soaking, and then apply a mulch of half-rotted manure. Whcro plants show a tendency to become "leggy." peg down the long growths with strong hairpins, and heap a little sand over them, and, if necessary, in tlio middlo of the plant. If tho sand is kopt moist, new growth will soon be produced, and bare-looking places will be filled in. Weak liquid manure should be given to pansies regularly during the flowering season. Where animal manuro cannot bo had. euano may bo used. Begin by dissolving loz. in ono gallon of water, and gradually increase the strength to loz. in ono gallon of water. Tansios love a cool, moist, rich bed, sheltered from northwest iwinds. Yiolas. on the other hand, fare better when tlicy are placed right out in the open Bunshine. Their quaint little flowers are produced so freely that one must go almost daily to the borders to pick off faded blooms. It is a good plan occasionally to pick off all flowers and buds that aro showing colour. This gives the plants a little rest, and the now crop of flowers will be all,the finer for it. Liko pansies, violas love a. good drink of clear, fresh watter, and, in dry weather, a comfortable mulch tucked under their shoots and well round their root?. Where there are plenty of strong young shoots, cuttings of both pnnsies and violas may bo taken now. They should be planted (Irmly in' very sandy soil, and kept moist till new growth begins. These cuttings will furnish strong little plants ready for planting out in tho autumn. One great advantage ot taking cuttings is that ono knows the colours of the flowers, and can arrange a bordor or a bed so much more effectively than when using seedlings. IXOWEDS IN BLOOM. Tho mixed border is particularly showy at this time of the year. Roses of every shade and kind aro blooming freely; Canterbury bells are fast opening innumerable dainty-coloured bells which crowd up the tall flowering stalks; Oriental poppies flaunt bright-huiM flowers of flaming scar-

let or bright clear salmon; tall spikes of antirrhinums, of every shade of pink, orange, scarlet, yellow, and crimson, aro reaching up to nod to ono another across great chimps of pure glistening white gladioli; geraniums nestlo In among their neighbours wherever they got the chance, adding yet another gay touoh to the flower-bedecked bordor as they open their scarlet, blood-red, or clear pink flowers; gcrberas have sent up. long, slender stemß crowned wit-h brilliant scarlct daisy-like (lowers; Spanish irises aro fast opening thoir flowor buds, and are producing a constant supply of beautiful blue, vcllow, and bronzo Wwcrs; nquilegina aro still bearing their daffity fragile-looking flowers; borders of pinks aro covered day by day with dainty blooms that fling their scent from end to end of tho garden; larkspurs, ehirley poppies, gaillardlas, coreopsis, and fragrant Btocks all add their particular note to the brilliance of ; the herbaceous border, as they push their way up. and jostle their neighbours in a friendly race for room to display their lovely blooms. Madonna lilies have reared themselves far abovo their neighbours, and are now opening their fragrant pure white flowers, while sweet peas growing up tall stakes nod merrily across to them and save them from feeling lonely so far away from tho friendly crowd below. Nestling in semi-shaded nooks, pansies turn their quaint velvety faces to greet the morning sun, but their oousins, tlio violas, revelling in a. sunny position, make a brilliant edging for tho gay herbaceous border. vecetabi.es. Givo rhubarb 'plants liquid manuro every two wcoks, and remove at once any flowers that aro formed. Push on with the planting out of cabbages, cauliflowers, broccoli, and savoys wherever necessary. Plant if possiblo just before a shower of rain, but do not plant when the ground is very wet. Make tho earth quito firm about tho roots, and see that tho young plants do not suffer from dryness at any time. The encouragement of vigorous growth from the start in winter greens is ueccssary to bring them safely through tho summer. Thin out carrots, onions, parsnips, etc., as soon as the plants are big enough to handle. Do not thin out too severely the first time. It is better to do the, work gradually. Make the soil firm about the remaining seedlings as the Work proceeds. Clear away at once all seedlings that have been pulled out, and also decaying cabbage nnd lettuco leaves, for they only harbour pests if left about. Continue planting out tomato plants in well-dug, not over-rich ground.

Oclery may bo planted in prepared trenchcs. The trenches should bo dug out to a depth of one foot. Some wellrotted manure 6hould then be dug into the bottom, and about six inches of soil should be returned. Thoroughly mix a little bondnsf. (about four ounces to the running yard) with the soil that is returned to the trench. If the trcnchea are mado only a short time beforo transplanting takes place, the soil should be made firm by being trampled upon, for celery docs better when grown in firm soil. Before transplanting the seedlings add two inches ot very fine soil and a slight dressing of soot or ashes from a rubbish fire. Plant the seedling's about six or eight inclics apart. Shade from the sun for a few dayß, and sprinkle the plants with water morning and evening. As soon as growth has well started, liquid manure should bo supplied. A further sowing of celery seed may still be made, but for gardeners with small families' it is better to buy a few plants at intervals during the summer, thus having two or three small trenches with a succession of plants. Sonie peoplo use up all their space in ono big planting, and then have no room for sueccsaive crops.

The following Beeds may be sown where necessary :— Celeriac (turiM'p-rooted celery).—Sow In rows two feet apart, in well-worked, wellenrichcd soil. Thin out seedlings to six inches apart in the rows. Cclcrino does not need earthl'iß un Itlie celery, for it is grown for its root. Scarlet Runner Beans—Sow in ground that lias been trenched and manured. Sow tho seed from six to eight inches apart, and about two inches deep. French and Butter Beans.—Sow in drills two feet apart, and have tho seeds six inches apart in tho rows. Dust bonedust in the drills nt tho time of sowing the seed, and give a slight dressing of superphosphate as soon as the' seedlings are a couple of inches high. Badish.-flow broadcast in rich, firm pronrid. and provide an abundance of water for tho growing crop. Carrot—Sow thinly in drills twelve inches apart.. Peas — Bow in drills from two to throe feet apart in ground that lias been trenched and manured. Hettlice—Sow thinly in drills fifteen inches apart, and thin out. to nine inches in the rows. The ground should be deeply due. and enriched with well decayed manure.

Garden Notes next week will contain seasonable notes about the need for humus, planting out. and vegetables.