GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 126, 25 February 1928, Page 28

GARDEN NOTES

(By

"Kowhai.")

SPRING FLOWERING BULBS. .SNOWFLAKES. Suowflakes are not to be despised in the spring garden, tor they Hower early ami are so Hardy as to become a weed in some gardens. They will grow in auiosl any position; in ‘tin- sun, in the shade, and even under a hedge. A light sandy soil to which a good supply or decayed rubbish lias been added gives (lie best results, bul any well-dug soil is suitable for snowflakes. ENGLISH AND SPANISH IRISES. .English and Spanish irises should be planted as early as possible t<» allow Ine bulbs time to make strong roots before they throw up their llowering •stems. Irises like plenty of sand in the soil surrounding them, and this makes them successful bulbs tor saudv gardens where plenty of humus lias been dug into the soil. A little oonedust may be added when the uulbs are being planted. •English and Spanish irises arc splendid for growning in clumps in a mixed border, for a few good clumps bring great charm into a garden. As cut flowers, too, they are delitditiul. and Ibe colours of the flowers, similes of blue, yellow, and bronze are fresh and dainty. SPAR AXIS. Sparaxis is one of the prettiest of our spring btilbs. The Howers are freely produced and rich in colour. The bulbs may lie planted now in light, rieli soil. Heavy coil should have grit, sand, well-decayed manure, and lent soil added to it. The bulbs should bo planted three inches deep. Good-sized clumps of sparaxis growing all along the sunny- side of a garden path make a very brilliant show during spring. TRITONIAS. Tritonias Hower a little. Inter (han sparaxis, and are much like them. They make a great show in Ihe garden, mid are among our most useful cut flowers.

They are very easily grown, and the bulbs may be left in tbe garden until they become overcrowded. When thi; is the case, the bulbs may generally la seen peeping through the‘soil, and'they may theu bo lifted, sorted out, ami replanted in well-dug soil. They should bo planted three inches deep. ROUTINE WORK. Michaelmas daisies, autumn lilies, chrysanthemums, dahlias, salvias, should be well tied to stakes. After rain or utter a good watering (hey should be given liquid manure. Cuttings ot most plants may be taken now, and will root quickly if they are planted firmly in sandy soil, and arc kept evenly moist. Carnations, _ flowering shrubs, verbena's, petunias, violets, climbing roses, etc., may be layered. Push on with all bulb planting. Those bulbs that are already ill the ground have started making roots, and this will give them a good long season of growth before they begin flowering. Where roses, verbenas, etc., are showing traces of mildew they should have Howers of sulphur dusted on the foliage while it is wet with dew, or with an early morning watering. Roses need regular attention just now if they arc to be kept flowering well all through the autumn. Old flowering stems should be shortened by about a third of their Jengl'i, the cut being made just above a Jettf. if this is done regularly Ihe bushes send out new flowering shoots. The soil about them should bo. kept well stirred and good waterings must be given during dry, hot weather. Verbenas, phlox drumtnondii, petunias, ami all creeping plant's need pegging to the ground lierii and there. Dead Stbwers should bo removed as often as possible to help prolong the flowering season. Dead leaves should be raked up and stored. When well rottigt they make splendid material tor mulching rose's, etc. Chrysanthemums apprcciale having a little good soil spread over their roots from time to time. TIIO roots arc near tho surface, and soon feel the effects of dry. hot wiathcr. But if a little of 1 the soil from a compost; heap is spread I round the plants every few weeks the roots tiro protected mid arc also given fresh feeding ground. It is surprising how quickly they i-i-eep into and till this fresh layer of toil. Caterpillars must be watched for. If not destroyed at once they destroy the first buds. Give belladonna, lilies and nerines a good soaking of weak soot mliter. Autumn crocuse's, colehic-ims, zephyranthes may also bo given weak soot waler. Plant out seedling primula malacoides in well-enricltod ground. Shady corners may have their soil well trenched in readiness for cineraria seedlinys_ and forget-me-nots. Sow linaria, schiziuithus, leptosyne, ulon’soa, antirrhinum, and uentesta for lato winter and early spring flowering. Cut back tree daises that have become overgrown. If bushes are cut back now they nil] flower attain in the winter. One of the most useful of winter flowering bulbs is Iho yellow bunch narcissus, ’ isolci] d’or. VEGETABLES. A sowing of winter spinach may be made after the first good rain. The ground for this crop should be well trenched, for unless the plants have plenty of rooting room they soon run to (seed. Sowings should also ho made of car rots, silver beet, and lettuces. As summer crons are cleared away turn over tlio soil and make a sowing of oats or 'some green crop (0 be turned in for green manure early in tho winter. Don’t leave beetroot in (he ground after it is fully grown. Lift it and store it between layers of snnd or dry soil. Make a sowing of parsley for winter use.