Protect the wind protectors too

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 493, 6 July 1993, Page 8

Protect the wind protectors too

by

Bea

Barnes

The strong cold southerly winds which have plagued us this last week or so serve to illustrate my point regarding the necessity of providing adequate shelter for those plants which are less able to withstand such extreme conditions. With regard to the planting of young windbreak trees and shrubs I should have emphasised that these also will benefit from a little protection in. their first few months of life if planted when exposed to extreme weather conditions. Even a piece of sacking tacked on to firm stakes driven into the ground around the plant will help. Once they have their roots firmly embedded in the ground and have put on some sturdy growth this can be removed. All trees and shrubs must have adequate water in dry periods if they are to do well and this is vital in their first year of life. The leafy head of a young tree, buffeted by strong drying winds, cannot draw up enough water from an immature root system fast enough to feed the leaf growth. It will eventually burn, shrivel up and drop off if deprived of a good supply of moisture. This time of year, when all the new rhodos, azaleas, daphne etc are so invitingly displayed to be followed a little later by the lovely camellias and

magnolias, it is all too easy to be tempted but if you haven't adequate existing shelter at least provide some protection around the plant. Every garden, however small, needs at least one focal point to give it character. A graceful tree framing one comer of the house or a gateway, an arrangement of rocks or ponga logs with a mass of bright trailing plants cascading down, or maybe an archway covered with the frothy blossoms of one of the old fashioned roses, or a Montana clematis. When planning your new garden try to determine which area(s) best lend themselves to this purpose. A point to arrest the eye and tempting invitation to explore what is beyond. Let your imagination run riot and use a little bit of 'do it yourself' ingenuity to bring it all to life. We can all have picture-book garden if we have the wherewithal to pay for it but joy of achievement lies in creating areas of beauty and serenity using your imagination and effort. Imagine the large cup-like blooms of taller growing magnolia complemented with the frothy bloom of rhododendron in spring

time, or a flowering cherry under-planted with tulips in spring and a froth of bright pansies in summer. Plan each area before you start to dig up the ground willy-nilly and decide, before you rush out to buy, just which type of plants would

best suit that position. This will save you time, effort and money rather than buying something that takes your fancy only to find it doesn't fit in with the scheme of things. I wouldn't like to tell you how many times I have done just that!