THE FLOWER GARDEN

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 70, 9 April 1937, Page 13

THE FLOWER GARDEN

April and May are months of genial day temperatures and cool nights with fine conditions occasionally broken by moderate showers. Vast opportunity is now offering the enthusiastic home-r planner for embarking upon a uig spring beautiflcation scheme. This is the last month for planting spring bulb8 and further delay will be, fatal if early blooms are expected. For best displays the massing of bnlbs is recommended and subjects most suitable for this purpose are anemones, ranuu--culupj daffodils, jonquilSj iris and tulips. For borders the following bulbs are effective — Freesias, spayaxias, lachena, lias, tritonias, babianas and crocus. Growing bulbs in pots for table decora. tion is becoming increasingly popular, For this work tulips, lachenalias and hyacinths are the most effective, Early violets are beginning to show bloom and should be carefully weeded and continually hoed if good crops are required. Backward plants may receive liquid ammonia. All house f erns and table plants require attention this month. Dead foliage should be picked off and_ the plants fed with some good plant stimu. lant. This often helps the plants through the colder months of the year. Flower seed sowings are most important and gardeners should make preparations for the eoming spring effects. Sow the following seeds in the open borders — Mignonette, Yiginian stoek, linaria, dwarf nasturtium, candytuft, linum and phlox. Flower seeds for sowing in boxes or frames are numerous and gardeners must select their favourites from the following list — Nemesia, stock, antir. rhinum, calliopsis, poppy, gaillardia, aquilegia, Canterbury bell, lobelia, pansies, violas, wallflower, sweet peas and cornflower. Flowering shrubs such as hydrangeas should be trimmed and cutting of geranium, fuchsias, roses, etc., taken. Lawns may be patehed up and resown where neeessary and a general cleaning up taka place.