GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 95, 15 January 1921, Page 12

GARDEN NOTES

(By

“Kowhai.")

THALICTRUM DIPTEROCARPUM. Thalictrum dipterocarpuiu has been busy for weeks sending up Jong straight flowering stalks, and spreading out fronds of delicate, finely-cut foliage. Then tight little clusters of buds were formed, and tho plants seemed, to the impatient gardener, to pause and rest for a while. But during the last few days the clusters of buds have begun to spread out in file branching style that is such a charm uf this delightful plant, and they are already assuming a deep heliotrope tinge. Before long the bright heliotrope flowers will open, disclosing noticeable clusters of yellow stamens. As tho plants like a dry, warm situation, they have not been troubled by the long spell of dry weather, but seedling thalictrums that -were put out late in the spring have not fared sc well. Indeed, tne utmost care .as been necessary to keep some of them alive. Thalictrum dipterocarpum adds such a • gay note to the herbaceous border, and is so splendid as a cut flower, ibat it should be grown in every garden. It is indeed one of the treasures of the summer garden. The plants have the same habit of growth as aquilegias, but the fernlike foliage is much more delicate and lin.ly cut. I’lie ‘lowers are a glorious shade of heliotrope and have most noticeable yellow stamens, they are about the same size as those of annual gypsophila, and are borne in the same branching manner. To get the best results the seeds should be sown now. for the seedlings then have the whole of the winter and the spring in which to make good growth. The germination is often slow and uneven, so that the seed-pan should be kept under close observation for a long time. In one pan 1 have had seedlings coming up over a, period of six months. Early in July five appeared, and I was afraid that that was to be the result of a packet of seed. But since then I have had very many seedlings, and every now and again a few fresh ones appear. The soil in the pan should be very sandy, or almost pure send. At this time of the year it is a good plan to spread a layer of damp moss over the surface of the soil after the seeds have been sown. If a sheet of glass is placed over this, the soil in the pan will be kept moist for some time. As soon -is 'the first seedling appears, however, the moss should be removed. SALPIGLOSSIS. Salpiglossis have reared themselves well above many of their neighbours, and now their brilliant and curiously marked flowers are adding fresh charm to the already guy - mixed border. When grown in groups of six or more plants E«'.ong masses of pink godetias, antirrhinums, or big patches of phlox drummondii, they are particularly delightful. Water and weak liquid manure should be given to the plants frequently, and dead flowers should be reoioved at once. If, at the end of the flowering season, the steins are cut back, new shoots will be thrown out from the base, and the plants will flower again early in the following spring. ’ VERBENAS. Verbenas are among the gayest of our border plants at present. Indeed, during the hottest part of the day their brilliance, especially of the scarlet verbena, is a little too dazzling. But the hot sun draws out their delightful fragrance which is apt to be lost, on a dull day, among the stronger sceuts of mignonette, stocks, and sweet peas. The flowers are produced so freely that there is daily work among them removing faded ones. The growths should be pegged down as they grow, and, wherever they are fastened to the soil, they soon push out roots. These extra roots are a great help to the plants during the flowering season, helping them to maintain vißerous growth, and to extend freely over the soil Although the plants can. stand a fair spell of dry weather, they are all .the better for an occasional good soaking followed by weak liquid manure. PHLOX DRUMMONDII. Phlox drummondii has been flowering well for months now, and seems likely to continue to do so. Plants that w-ere put out in the autumn have grown into spreading bushes from winch one can nick flowers with good long stems, ihe more one pickfi phlox, the more it 6eeal “ to thrive. When well Bro'vu, few plants are more charming m the garden, for t.he gav colours of the flowers lend them selves to brilliant colour effects, especially when groups of all one colour are massed and allowed to run into one another. As cut flowers they are splendid, for they are fragrant, easily ganged, and last for a long time in water. GYPSOPHILA PANICULATA. Another plant that is full of interest iust now is gypsophila paniculata, for the plants are covered with billowy masses of dainty white flowers. I have seen gypsophila growing in a dry river-bed where it had seeded itself and spread in all directions, and although the were rather stunted, they had turned the dry, sandy, pebbly river-bed into fairyland. In our gardens, if we are sensible, we top-dress our plants every autumn with well-rotted manure, and year after year our plants grow in size and beauty . It is surprising how much room one wellgrown plant can take up when it is in full flower. Where the flowers are to be dried for use in winter, they should be cut when fully out, tied into bunches and suspended, head downwards, from the roof of a cool shed. ANNUALS. Annuals that flowered early are already ripening their seed, and many have seed ready for gathering. If several plants of each kind are pulled up and 'v ell shaken over a prepared seed patch, there will be, in the autumn, a host of sturdy seedlings ready to go into the borders. Some seed should be put away in labelled boxes ready for sowing towards the end of the winter. CARNATIONS. Carnation plants are producing far too many buds, and for the good of the plants and the flowers that do mature disbudding should be attended to. Keep the plants well tied to their stakes. Sprinkle a little sunerphosnhate round the plants occasionally, and water it well in. CLIMBING ROSES. Roses that are growing against walls should have a good deal of the growth that has flowered cut out. If the growths are cut back to a strong shoot, many ot the plants will bear a welcome crop of flowers in the autumn. Roses growing against walls and fences should be, kept well watered, for even when ram falls the chances are that their roots get very little of the precious moisture. VEGETABLES. SAVOYS. Savoys may be planted in ground from ■which early potatoes have been taken. The ground should be raked level, and then be well trampled over, for savoys need a firm bed. When growing eavoys there is a tendency to neglect them during the summer and early autumn, but this is when they really need a great deal of attention. To grow them successfully they should not be allowed to suffer from drought at any time. When only ar few are being grown it is a good pTan to give the ground a thorough soaking, and then to supply a »ulch of welldecayed vegetable rubbish. The plants mav then be syringed with clear water frequently, and the leaves may be kept clean and healthy without caging the b ° ll- SAVING SEED POTATOES. The best time to select tubers for seed is just before the haulm begins to turn colour. The tubers should be taken, from those roots that have the greatest num-

her of large, well-shaped potatoes. Never choose for seed potatoes those that ore badly shaped, those that come from a weak root, or those from roots that hawe shown signs of disease. The selected tubers should be spread out in a cool, dry .place “to green.” The skin then becomes hard,, and the potatoes so treated are less liable to be attacked by disease. Store the seed potatoes in shallow boxes in a coql, dry shed where they will be exposed to a fair amount of light. MARROWS AND PUMPKINS. The vines of marrows and pumpkins are spreading over the ground very quickly. It is necessary to keep them free from all weeds to allow sun and air free access to them. After a hot, dry day the leaves should be syringed with water during the evening. Wat’r that has been exposed to the sun for a few hours is the best to use for washing plants. Those who are obliged to use Jiump water should draw it in the morning and allow it to stand all day in tubs in the sunshine. Vines that are making rank growth and very little fruit should have their jips pinched off to cause them to throw out Irjerals. The laterals will generally bear fruit freely. CABBAGES. Keep a sharp look-out for the eggs of the cabbage butterfly during dry, warm ■weather. Look especially oii undersides of the leaves. Wash the leaves thoroughly by' frequently syringing with water. It destroys the eggs before they can hatch out. Garden Notes next week will contain seasonable notes about improving dry gardens, routine work, and vegetables.