BEGONIAS BEAUTIFUL

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 92, 12 January 1935, Page 8

BEGONIAS BEAUTIFUL

Botanical Gardens Show Now at Its Best

EFFECTS OF DRY WEATHER

Although the grass slopes and lawns of the Botanical Gardens are burnt like King Alfred’s cakes, the begonias are blooming in profusion, the beauty of form and colour of each being such as might make the proudest rose blush with envy.

Many overseas visitors have stated that they have never seen anything so gorgeous in other places. The director of parks and reserves, Mr. J. G. MacKeuzie, stated yesterday that the flowers now showing were young and fresh, and the begonia house was ar its best. Although there would be more Howers later, these would lack the freshness associated with the first blooms. The basket begonias would also bloom more plentifully later in the season Among the numerous varieties of begonias now flowering are Black Knight (the richest deep crimson among tuberous begonias), Lady Rhondda (frilled salmon pink), H. Frankling (deep rich Vermillion’ flowers of exceptional size, the largest flower at present being 74 in. in diameter), Lady Ann, Neyron Rose (large flowers of perfect form), Caroline Coe (carmine-red, distinctive colouring, and rose-like form), and Mrs. Ruston (rich buttercup yellow with frilled edges). Other features of the begonia house are the-, Cape Primroses in many colours, a large bed of foliage plants, the Crotons, which it is unusual to And outside the tropics, and the flamingo plant. The prolonged dry spell has naturally had its effect upon the gardens, but this has been minimised by the work of the gardeners, much of whose time has recently been taken up by additional watering activities, and a good display of flowers and green shrubbery can still be seen, while the many shaded pathways and rustic seats are doubly welcome havens to visitors on each of these summer days.