THE FLOWER GARDEN

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 153, 16 July 1937, Page 15

THE FLOWER GARDEN

The planting season for roses, flowering and ornamental shrubs, is in full swing, and all work should be carried ont while the soil is moist. Commence pruning roses at once. The object for this operation is to concentrate the sap into fewer channels, and so enhance the size and colour of the blooms. Many flowering shrubs require judicious cuting back, espeeially those which produce flowers on the new wood. The effect of an early pruning makes the .trees throw out new growth. Shrubs that require this treatment aro hydrangeas, lantanas, laliandra, abutilon and hibiscus. Start planting creepers where required, selecting varieties that bloom at different periods of the year, or planting against stone walls and garages ficus and Virginian creepers are best. Divide and replant all herbaceous plants that are now dormant, such as michaelmas daisy, golden rod, cannas, etc. Plant the following hardy seedlings: — Pansy, primula, malacoides, violas, ageratum, anemone, ranunculus, penstemon, antirrhinum, cornflower and larkspur. In the bush house and fernery, plants q^re mostly resting, and a search at this period for slugs and snails that are breeding among the fern-roots would he profitable. Caleium arsenate sprinkled over the ground will ldll hundreds of little fellows that the eye cannot detect. The following flower seeds may be sbwn in boxes for transplanting when the weather is more suitable: — Cinerarias, poppies, French marigolds, nemesia, carnations, delphinium. Finish planting all lilium and calla bulbs for summer flowering. Violets that are flowering now should . have all the l-unners eut off as a plant , cannot flower and produce new growth at the same time. Tf required these runners may be stuck in some spare corner for planting out later. Lily of the Valley crowns may be set in a shaded corner.'