HYDRANGEAS.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 44, 10 April 1930, Page 9

HYDRANGEAS.

Many interesting results are obtained by applying various chemicals to the soil. Alum or sulphate of iron and alum well mixed into the soil before planting will often produce flowers of the clearest blue, but t&is does not apply in every case. As an example— La Marne and Blue Prince under most conditions produce flowers of a delightful red shade but if-treated with alum invariably respond by. giving flowers of clear blue, while some varieties un-

der similar conditions will produ.ee flowers of.murky mauve.

Before planting it is well to asceTtain tie height of the varieties to be planted as some sorts, such as Gudrun, Helge, Lahzelot and Parzival only grow two to three feet high, while r Goliath, Rheingold, Sensation and others exceed six feet and it is annoying to find 'that one 'has hidden some of these- "gems behind the stronger growings ones. The question of edlour has never yet been absolutely. solved-^—a good deal depends on the soil.- Soils rich in iron tend to produce blue flowers while sweet well cultured soils often produce t&ose lovely pink" and red shades. Plants in pots used for decorating Atlantic liners have been known to change fronj. clear pink to a good shade f blue after being at sea" from three to four weeks and receiving nothing but clear water which suggests that atmosphere as well as soil plays its part in colouring these wonderful flowers. -

flowering.

Do not give any artificial-or liquid manures untiil ,the flower buds appear as this often tends to make the plants continue to make growth instead of

freely,

When selecting a site for planting choose a lightly shaded position, for although a number of varieties dp well in the full sunlight, the flowers of some varieties such us Elniar, Germain Mouillere, Montrose and others, burn very quickly when exposed to the direct rays of the sun. ' These varieties can b© grown with good effect under standard trees and tree feTns. Cultivate the ground EhoroughjjT before planting, care being taken to have the ground divg through two feet deepl Good loamysoil with one third'well decayed manure worked in'will grow them to perfection; the compost ' need' only be eighteen inches deep but the ground must be dug one spade below that and in gardens where the soilis gravel or heavy clay this can be prepared by taking the top' spit off pasture land and chopping up and adding one third decayed manure and any rotted leaves; available. Plantscan be planted in their flowering quarters in t-Jxe early spring and as soon, as the plants are established or the soil is at all dry they should be watered

The plants are easily raised from cuttings and plants propagated during t?he spring and summer months -will bloom the following season.

Hydrangeas will grow almost anywhere where the soil is not apt to become very dry in summer, but to grow them to perfection they should have a well, drained situation "witih. partial shade and a rich cool moist soil with frequent waterings. Do not be misled h ythe name and think that they like a boggy or waterlogged situation; they do not.

M. MouiUere, -a prominent French nurseryman, was the pioneer in hybridising these splendid acquisitions, which originated from Hydrangea Horteiisia, a rosy pink variety with, globular heads of flowers.

The new Horitensia Hybrids commoaly known as Modern Hydrangeas, bear enormous trusses with immense individual flowers, with colours ranging from, pure white through clear pink, shades or' rod and blue to purple, are justly one of the most popular flowers in Europe and America to-day and will become equally.popular in this country.

Hydrangeas are amongst the most beautiful' and useful flowering shrubs, lasting in bloom in. some districts almost all through, the winter. Planted along the side of drives, under -the fringe of trees', massed by the wateraide, or in woodland walks, they create a striking effect, bearing numbers of "gigantic flower heads.

cultural Society)

(By E. Hutt for t&c Hutt Valley Horti-

North America, as well as Japan and China, have supplied a number of other species, all of which, prefer shade.

Hydrangea panicuiata grandiflora is well worth growing and has, creamy flowers, .the spikes often exceed eighteen inches in length.

T»hunbergi is a Japanese variety with blue or-rose coloured flowers.

Other -thai the Hortensia varieties there are several good species of the genus including a climbing varietyHydrangea Scandens, this clings like ivy, has* white flowers and is good for covering walls and tree trunks.

After the plants have finished flowering pTune the plants back to the base.