THE FLOWER GARDEN

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 165, 30 July 1937, Page 14

THE FLOWER GARDEN

Nothing is so beneficial to the budding gardener as endeavouring to acquire the names and habits of the .various plants and trees and the facilities offering in this direction are practically limitless. Now the tree-planting season and the man who has made a careful study of every tree and shrub, noting its height and position, is not at a loss to isnow what varieties he requires to fill that vacant corner. For those in doubt and seeking bushy shrubs from 3 to 6 feet high, the foilowing varieties are useful and ornamental : Ericas or Heaths in all shades ; Azaleas for exposed positons in colours from white, pink ranging to scarlet; Paphne and Choisya, two scented bushy treet; Bouvardias and Diosma and Scarlet Clianthas are three worthy of attention. The selection is unhmited and pages could be devoted to this subject. Commence now and cover those unsightly fences with suitable hardy creepers. Continue planting roses of all descriptions. Start pruning established varieties that require attention and remove all dead wood, making a clean slanting cut to the outside bud. Gardeners who are lucky enough to possess a glasshouse or frame may sow French and African Marigolds and Pholx, three hardy annuals, for early flowering. Varieties for sowing in seed pans or boxes are Antirrhinums, Cineraria, Poppy, Stock, I'ansy, Viola, Primula, Calliopsis, Lobelia, and Gaillardia. Ccnstant hoeing and working round all flower beds and shrubs is an important work that eannot be over-estimat-ed, get now Lily of the Valley, Cannas, Gladiola, Agapanthus, Michaelmas Daisy and all other perennial herbaceous plants. Scatter tobacco dust i'reely about the ground in the vicinity of hedges and rubbish heaps to keep down slugs and snails that are now breeding freely. Spraying should be carried out now. Daphnes attaeked by scale may be sprayed with red oil Leaves of plants attaeked turn yellow and. drop off, thus weakening the plant. Aphis on roses may be cured by spraying with Black Leat 40, I5 teaspoonfuls per gallon of soapy water. / Old lawns should be well top-dressed, rolled and generally overhauled. liagged creepers should be cut back and neatly trimmed.