THE FLOWER GARDEN

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 136, 25 June 1937, Page 14

THE FLOWER GARDEN

Although winter has now settled upon us and most of our garden plantB have gone into repose until warmer days come again, the gardener must still keep busy. Trenehing, digging, transplanting, and the shifting of all ornamental shrubs, roses, etc., require his 'ixuinediate attention. To the homeplanner, the long winter nights offer excellent opportunity for the drawing of plans for the reconstruetion of the garden. Keep the surface soil well hoed as this will allow planting at any period. Heavy clay soils are harder to work and may require forking over during dry spells. Scatter plenty of lime about the fences and hedges to kill slugs and vermin. Eake up and stow in the rubbish corner fallen leaves and withered flowers for malcing rotted manure. Plant out only hardy .seedlings that will succeed during the damp months. Stocks and poppies make a fine show, but do not want a- too damp situation. The following are hardy and easily grown: — Primula malacoides, antirrliinum, Canterbury bells, larkspur, statice, pansy, lobelia, calliopsis, gaillardia, Dianthus and Sweet "William. Flowering shrubs are an asset to any home. Here are six varieties well worthy of cultivationj: — Luculia, beautiful pink trusses, winter flowering; boronia in shades of yellow and pink and brown, tiny bells; lasiandra, large blue cup-shaped flowers; diosma, commonly called breath of heaven; veronica, in shades of white, red, blue and purple; azaleas, in 24 different colours. Start pruning Toses at ouce. Cuti away all dead wood and prune the strong growers severely. Lime the ground well and replace new varieties where necessary. Bosea may bo planted from June till September. Continue planting gladioli, cannas, all the herbaceous and p.erennial plants . for the border. Old clumps may be lifted and divided replacing the newer growth on the outside of the clumps. Mannre well the soil if replacing in the same bed. Sow the following seeds in boxes for planting out later;— Nemesia, delphinium, cineraria, pansy, violas, carnations, schizanthus, poppy and stocks. Plants' of most of the above are ready now, but there is plenty of time yet for seed. How about that hedge! Does it need patching or thickening "up? If so start now and dig over the ground inserting plants where necessary. Select with care the future fence. Eemember it is there to stop and must be an ornament to your liomo.