THE FLOWER GARDEN

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 1, 24 September 1937, Page 14

THE FLOWER GARDEN

Cheap Seeds. On .the proper gerraination of the seed the welfare of our plants depends. Clieap seeds generally prove dear in the long run, and gardeners are well advised to buy only the best from reputable firms. Good seeds mean i£selecting and proper care and attention to produce, and so the extra labour incurred adds to the cost of the production. If readers only have. a little space to devote to this hobby they will realise ®the value of these remarks, for they have no room for failures. Seed Sowing. The varieties to sow now for summer flowering are almost endless, but the following sorts are the pick of the bunch for making a good display Sow in boxes the following : Asters, zinnias, phloz, petunia, African marigold, salvia, delphinijum, cosmos, gallardia, and lobellia. I'or sowing out in open borders the following are useful and showy : Linaria, virginian stock, dwarf nasturtium, alyssum, mignonsfcto, phlox dwarf marigold and linum. Perenniai Borders. The perenniai plants such as michaelmas daisy and golden rod are now throwing up tlieir spring growth. Carefully fork round the roots and apply a little blood and bone. Some larger clumps may lequire dividing. If so lift carefully and replace the vonnger crowns. Clumps of jonquills that havo finished flowering may have their foliage tied together to keep them tidy and make rooni for other plantings. Household Plants. . The care of pot plants is a study on its own, and many plants are killcd through insufficient knowledge. All plants require manuring, as they are conflned to small pots and the soil must become impoverished, and j'et the plant may not require repotting. Apply cvery fortnight a weak solution ot" ammonia of potash, say 1 teaipoonful mixed to one pint of water, and apply to all plants that have a yellowish and I sickly appearance. Cut back the dead ■ i'ronds on the maidenhairs and thin out ! the dead leaves of oQler ferns to allow Irqouj for the spring; grow.thr

IPruning Shrubs, Winter trees that have finished blooming should be cut back, if required, and tlie dead flower Jieads removed. Keep the soil well hoed round the r.oots to reduce the weeds. Roses that are making new growth should have all the dead wood cut off, and any ingrowing growths removed. Bonedust 2oz a square yard, may be sprinkled round the bushes and raked in. Annuals for Plantlng. Many attractive annuals are now ready for setting out for late spring flowering. The following varieties if planted out now, will flower within 10 weeks. Iceland poppies, autirrhinums, cinerarias, nemesia, pansy, viola, ptimula, malacoides, carnations and lobelia. For massing in beds, pansy and violas are unequalled, flowering for many weeks. For shaded and damp places, cinerarias, are the best blooming for a lengthy period.