Colour riot soon in gardens

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 327, 13 March 1990, Page 16

Colour riot soon in gardens

The lazy, hazy, days of summer are passing all too swiftly and autumn will soon be with us with its riot of brilliant colour. One of the benefits which we enjoy in this cooler area is the brilliance of autumn colouring which is so much more intense than in the warmer areas of the country.

One of the showiest of the early autumn flowers, the Michaelmas daisy, is making a grand display now. Such a lovely range of colours from the palest pink to rosy red and the softest lilac to deep purple. A plant well worth a place in the garden to provide a display of colour when the summer flowering plants are finishing. Some of the taller varieties will grow up to three or four feet in height but can be reduced by being cut back in the early stages of

growth. Reduce the growth to about half to encourage strong bushy growth and an abundance of flowers. Don't attempt to cut back after December as the plants must have the chance to grow the buds which will give you the flowering. Michaelmas daisies will complement the dahlias which, after a shaky start from frost damage earlier in the season, are putting on a really good show now. The removal of some of the buds will ensure larger flowers to follow and a

good display through the autumn. March is the month to lift and divide polyanthus. Lift the clumps with a spade and remove the hard woody growth to which the young plantlets are attached taking care not to damage the young roots more than is necessary. Plant out the young plantlets, discarding the woody growth and water them in thoroughly. This should be done every second year to preserve the colour and size of the flowers. Left to themselves the polys will revert to their original form and colour, a pale creamy

yellow flower with several small flowers on the one stem. Removing the spent heads from the roses will help to ensure later flowers. If the hips are allowed to form at this time the bushes will put up few flowers. If black spot is showing on the foliage a spay will help to clean up the bushes for the winter ahead. An hour or so spent removing dead heads from the pansies and viola will encourage them to flower longer. Wallflower, stocks, sweet william and antirrhinum can all be planted out now to over-winter and flower

next spring. Wallflowers and tulips planted together complement one another so well. Prepare the ground now in readiness for your tulip plantings a little later. Dig the ground over thoroughly, a clay base soil will need breaking up. Add a good general fertilizer at least three or four weeks before planting to give time for the fertilizer to break down and nourish the soil before the bulbs are planted. A well drained soil with as much shelter from the wind as possible, a position with morning sun, will suit your tulips admirably.