GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 181, 2 May 1925, Page 24

GARDEN NOTES

(By

"Kowhai.”)

HARDY ANNUALS. Where hardy annuals were grown during the past season, sturdy seedlings are now springing up, and in many cases are ready for planting out. Seedling annuals that are planted out at this time in thoroughly prepared, well drained soil, make good growth before winter, and give an early and generous supply of flowers. The soil for this early planting must be well drained, for in cold wet soil the seedlings simply rot away at tho roots. It must therefore be deeply dug and well stocked with humus. Sweet peas may still be sown; those from the first sowing are already a few inches high, and should have thentops pinched off. At the present time early-sown linaria, phlox drunimondii, and nemesia are just opening their flowers, and will take the place of the asters, cosmos, French and African marigolds, and phlox that are nearly over. They should flower all through the winter, and well into the spring,’ and by that time the dainty flowers of schizanthus will be bringing charming bits of colour into the borders. Before they have nearly completed their flowering season nigella (love-in-a-mist), "odekias, clartias, layateras, po;pies, larkspurs, _ salpiglossis, _ phlox, and nemesia will be turning the garden into fairyland, and will provide masses of flowers for picking until again the season of asters, salvia, sweet suntans, French and African marigolds, and all the lovelv autumn flowering annuals comes round. Wjth careful sowing one may have annuals in bloom the whole year round. Where there is room it is a good plan to set aside a part of the garden for annuals, afl there is no doubt that they make w-ork in a mixed border. At the same time they are indispensable for filling in empty spaces in a newly-planted shrubbery, for covering the ground where bulbs have died down, and for quickly turning into beauty sports uglylooking corners. STATICE SUWOROWI. A charming little annual for summer and early autumn floweriim is statice suworowi. The dainty rose-coloured flowe”9 are borne on spikes about a foot or eighteen inches in length. It the plants are massed in groups along the edge of a border they make delightful .patches of colour over a long Any well-prepared and well-drained soil suits the plants. SILENE—DOUBLE SALMON PINK. This is another, charming little annual that maybe had in flower early in the spring, or at any time during the summer and autumn . according w the time of -owing. The plants spread over the ground, forming cushion-lik© clumps, and at flowering time numbers of slender stems push up, bearing in such profusion the dainty pink flowers that tho whole plant’ becomes a mass of bloom. The plants like a sunny position at the front of a border, and well-drained sandy soil. NIGELLA (LOVE-IN-A-MIST). Nigella (Miss Jekyll) flowers earlv in tho spring. The pale cornflower-blue flowers are borne on long stems, and are daintily set amongst light thread-like foliage. The fceed should bo soivn thinly in large patches or drifts, and the seedlings thinned out to six inches apart each way. The best results are had. from autumn-sowing. LAVATERAS. Lavatoras make a brilliant show In the summer garden. As the plants grow fairlv tall and branch out, they should be planted at the buck of a herbaceous border or among low-growing shrubs. They like to grow, too, in a semi-wild state in a damp part of the grounds. As soon as flowering time arrives the plant becomes simply covered with masses of beautiful silken-petalled, clear pink flowors. . » Th© cultivation of th© plants is very simple, for they seem able to adapt themselves to almost any soil. The seeds may be sown where .the plants are to grow, and as they are large there is no excuse for sowing them too thickly. As soon as the seedlings are up they should be thinned out to at least a foot each " Lavateras are particularly showy when they are massed. GODETIAS, Seed of double pink and lavender gem godetias may be sown now in welldug soil that has''decayed manure or weeds mixed with it. Double pink godetia is < ne of the most charming of our annuals, for the flowers are a lelightful shade of pink, and are well spaced on upright stems. If tho plants are pinched in the seed-

ling stage, they grow into fairly large bushes, and niako a great show when in bloom. AVliero there is room they should b*» grown in groups, the plant! being six or eight inches apart each way. The la.’go single lavender flowers of lavender gem godetia are well spaced up long very slender sti ms. «.nd as the plants, when pinched in the seedling stage, branch freely fr >m the main stem, they have' a particularly light and dainty effect in tLe garden. NEMESIA. The flowers of nemesia are very gay and most useful for cutting. The plants aie a little particular as to soil, but nearly every gardener can so treat his soil as to satisfy their requirements. They like a well-drained sandy soil to which plenty of well-decayed rubbish has been added, and a sunny position. During dry weather they like an occas onal thorough watering, 't'he plants should be six inches apart each way. Neraesias are invaluable for seaside gardens, for they flower most happily all the winter ia tho warm sandy soil. Blue gem nemesia is charming tor carpeting or for edges. SWAN RIVER DAISY (BRACHYCOME). This is a delightful little plant, bearing lovely blue flowers, and looks like a dwarf cinuaria. It grows splendidly in hot dry soils. Planted in long lines or in bold groups at the front of a mixed border. Swan River daisy is very effective. VEGETABLES. Ground that is to'be used for potatoes is all the better for being prepared now, and the surface may’ be left rough. If the soil is turned lightly over once or twice during the next 'two months, it should be in splendid condition by the time the potatoes are put in. As soon as frost cuts the vines of pumpkins anj marrows, the fruit should be gathered and taken inside. 'The best way to store it is to hang it from beams or from hooks driven into the ceiling of a shed. Pui-h the soil towards cabbage and cauliflower plants as you hoe between the rows. This slight earthing up is a great help to the plants. Examine all plants after wind or stormy weather to see if they have worked a hole about the stems. If they have, make the soil firm about them again. .Feed all greens regularly with nitrate of soda, loz. in one gallon of water. Seeds that may be sown are Cabbage, canliflowei, lettuce, broad beans, carrots, and dwarf peas. Garden Notes next ,veek will contain seasonable notes about planting roses and shrubs, and vegetables.