The Levin Public Gardens.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 24 February 1914, Page 3

The Levin Public Gardens.

« A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT. Nino months ago the Levin -Beautifying Society commenced to set out tlie flowers and shrubs in the newJy formed public gardens, and as the planting went steadily on, that section of the public with a purely commercial mind lamented the so-called waste of money; but with a clear vision of the future the society and its supporters kept at the scheme they had planned. The god of the weather proved kind; a.mild win tor followed; a wei spring, remarkably favourable to growth, succeeded the winter, and some few weeks back, the warm summer sun commenced its ardent caresses, and coaxed the plants into a glorious profusion of bloom that lias surprised a lot of people. The only oues not surprised are those who have not seen the gardens. A_ck>ser examination of tlie plants, J revealing as it does their variety and beauty, adds to the wonder that so much should be accomplished on such a small plot of ground in so short a time, and gives some idea of wnat the gardens will look like in the near future, when surrounded by a hedge. That portion of the gardens along the street frontages lias been provided for by planting ake ake, along the eastern side is elacagnus, and along the reserve Fence escalionia. On the Cam-bridge-street side, behind the ake ake, is a row of lace-bark trees and the corner against Jiath street, has been planted with chrysanthemums, due to bloom shortly. Next to these, and in the other corners as well several of the beautiful red flowering eucalyptus have been been planted als,; the silver birch, elm, cabbage i ve and Mmrnuiu under the shelter of the manuka brush, is a row of pelargoniums, one in flower and showing the deep rich colouring characteristic of the class. In this bed and in several others the striking redtopped eelosis is conspicuous. This plant is one of the wellknown cockscomb family, and one plant especially betrays its relationship quite plainly. There are splendid clumps of asters to be seen, a particularly fine one being a white with a yellow centre. The bronzed-leaf perillu forms a perfect background for the asters. The geraniums and the roses have made a splendid show, and a few blooms are,still to be seen, but their glory for this season is past. .Bordering the easternmost path is a riot of colour constituted by tlie coreopsis, I'relich and African marigolds, and the blue and white lobelia, which also form the borders for other beds. There are blooms of phlox drummondi, zinnias, penstemons, sweet peas, and snapdragons, all of which add to the beauty and colour of the scene, Spring-flowering bulbs, such as the narcissi have been planted. Tree lucerne for temporary shelter has been planted and has made good growth. The flowers beds are kept quite free from weeds, and the lawns are in excellent order. I'lower-lorers should not fail to visit the Levin Public (Jardens.