GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 131, 26 February 1921, Page 13

GARDEN NOTES

(By

"Kowhai.”)

' SCILLAS. Scillas, or wood hyacinths, arc lovely little spring flowers; they are very hardy, and will grow equally well m sun or in shade. Clumps of them look charming in front of a mixed border, but they are, I think, seen to better advantage when planted in drifts up the slope ol a rockery. From a mass of green foliage, numbers of litgle straight stems stand up, literally covered with tiny fragrant and dainty bells. Wood hyacinths are also splendid for planting under trees where the bulbs are not likely to bo disturbed, for unlike many bulbs, they resent disturbance. In the mixc.t border they aro constantly suffering disturbance, lout under trees, on a rockery, or in grass, they can grow and flourish secure from unwelcome attentions from the gardener. If they are given an annual top-dressing of well-decayed manure, or a mixture oi leaf mould, sand, and bonedust, they will 'flower well every spring, and peed only be lifted for thinning-out very occasionally. Bulbs should be planted now as soon as possible. A charming spring bed may be made with scillas, yellow polyanthus primroses, and hoop petticoat narcissi (narcissus bulbocodlum). They should be massed in large irregular patches of each, and as they all flower at the same time, tney make one of the brightest and daintiest beds it is possible to have. SPARAXIS. Sparaxis is one of the prettiest of our spring bulbous plants. The flowers aro very freely produced, and are rich in colouring, some being rich crimson, while others are ■ brilliant scarlet. The bulbs may be planted now in light, rich soil. Those who have a heavy soil should add to it grit, sand, well-decayed horse manure, and leaf soil. Those who already have a light soil need add only leaf soil, and thoroughlv decaved and crumbled-np cow manure. The bulbs should be planted three Inches deep, and should rest on a layer of sand. Good-sized clumps of snar.ax.is growing all atone the sunny side of a garden path make a very brilliant ' show during spring. Although a sunny position is necessary to their well-being, they also require plenty of water from the time growth commences, and especially after the flower buds have begun to form. TRITONIA CROCATA. The flowers of this beautiful Jiulbous plant are very like snaraxts. Their colour is orange scarlet, and a few good clumps make a great show tn the late spring. They are very easily grown, and may be left in the ground until the corms become overcrowded. When this is the case corms may tie seen peening through the surface of the soil, or even ouite on ton of it. They may be lifted now and planted back at once in well-dug soil, to whicln has been added plenty of leaf-soil or well-decaved vegetation, sand, and e little bonedust. Plant the corms three inches deep. IRISES English and Spanish irises should be S'ed as soon as possible to allow tlm time to make strong roots before they throw up their flowering stems. Irises appreciate plenty of sand in the soil surrounding them, and that is easily obtained by most New Zealand gardeners. A little bonedust should be added l>> the soil when the bulbs are being planted. Spanish irises flower just a little sooner than’ the English ones, and their colours are very dainty, the pale yellow. watte, and rich blue varieties being specially charming. . One can’t help a little fetling of regret as the flowers fade and die, butralmost Immediately the English irises open their beautiful and richly-coloured nurnle. blue, or lilac flowers, and for a space delight us with their exquisite beauty. English and Spanish irises are splendid for growing in clumps in a mixed border, or for growing in a well-drained position on the sunnv edge of a nond or stream. Of their value as cut flowers too much cannot be said. The delightful form of their flowers, their dainty colours, theil long stems, and their ability to keen fresh in water, all make them very desirable as cut flowers. FREESIAS. In spite of the fact that we see masses of freesia blooms in the florists’ windows as early Is the middle of the winter, wtl hail the opening of our own blooms ii our spring gardens with as much pleasure as if they were the first of the season. What a delightful fragrance steals through the garden with the opening of the first new buds! There is no mistaking it, although the daphne bush and the violet borders are so prodigal with their scent that the air seems to be already saturated with fragrance. Bulbs that are planted early in a warm, sheltered spot and in well-drained soil will flower quite early in the spring, and by planting at different times, and in different ways, one may have freesias in bloom for quite a long time. The bulbs of the old freesia refracta alba are so cheap that they are within the reach of everyone. The hybrids are wonderfully interesting, and very beautiful, comprising as they do such delicate shades of pink, lavender, primrose, etc. Freesias may be grown in the * open border, in boxes or pots on a sunny verandah, and in pots and bowls in : bunny window. In the garden, freesias like ii light, sandy soil, enriched * with well-rotted manure, or thoroughly decayed vegetable rubbish. a?id a little bonedust. The bulbs should be placed on i> firm bed, and should be resting on a layer of sand. There should be one inch of soil above them when the planting is finished. Kerosene tins cut in half and painted dark green are very suitable for growing freesias in. Make plenty ol holes in the bottom of the tins, and put a good layer of broken pieces of pots, or some pebbles, for drainage. The soil should consist of a mixture of good garden soil. sand and well-rotted rpanure, or well-decayed vegetable rubbish. Mix these ingredients together thoroughly before filling the tins or pots. The bulbs should be planted fairly deep, and they should be one inch apart each way. Give the pots a good watering, anil bury them up to their rims in a bed of wood ashes in a shady place. This-will give the bulbs a chance to make good roots before top growth begins. Freesias must hare a long period of growth before the flowering season; therefore early planting is most necessary. T.v ensure good flowers, plant large, wellrioened buds' As scon as growth begins freesias require plenty of sunshine and plenty of water, especially noot water. VEGETABLES. After the recent good rain, seeds of lettuce, cabbage, and cauliflowers may be sown without fear of the resultant plants bolting through ' being too dry at the roots. A sowing of winter spinach may be made. The p.ants need deep rooting room, or they soon run to seed. Brojoili, Brussels sprouts, etc., must be kept well washed co keep them free from aphis. A little nitrate of soda, 1 ounce .in 1 gallon of water, will make the plants grow vigorously, and co help them to resist disease. ‘Constant hoeing in also a great aid to vigorous growth. Don’t allow runner beans to run too high, but pinch off the tips of the shoots to keep them within easy picking reach. Turnins may be sown ■in ground that was richly manured for a previous crop. Make th'' ground very firm, and sow the seed thinly in drills 12 inches apart. “Garden Notes” next week will contain seasonable notes n-bout —TAliums. routine work, and vegetables.