Damp garden allows late shrub shifting

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 653, 10 September 1996, Page 14

Damp garden allows late shrub shifting

BY

BEA

BARNES

One fine day and we have great plans for work in the garden, but before we even begin down comes the rain again. Even so, there is a plus will enable newly planted shn easily and we can still transpl which really would look nic garden. Prepare the new site first ar to take the root ball of the ph when digging it out retain as n possible. Even if the ground i: after planting to avoid air p roots. Young trees will tolera but larger specimens should 1 In the last couple of weeks v magnolia, which often resem large specimen of the purp maxima 'purpurea' which wa between a large bushy camel

side — the damp conditions lbs and trees to settle in more ant that shrub or young tree :e on the other side of the J td dig the hole large enough int you wish to remove and auch soil around the roots as s quite damp water it in well oekets forming around the ite being moved in this way >e wrenched first. /e have transplanted a young t being moved, and quite a le-leaved hazelnut corylus s becoming rather squashed Hia and a piesis. Neither of

inemna^M00Kecu3ac^mcH!^^Juu^iappn^5uftTn^)ut there new leaf shoots. The purple corylus is a lovely shrub growing to about three metres with a two metre spread. The heavily-ribbed foliage is a rich deep crimson-purple which tums a purpleblack later in summer. It makes a good foil to a goldenleafed or a light-green planting and would complement a small golden-leafed tree such as ulmus hollandica ' wriedii ' the dwarf golden elm which is an upright pyramidal form, disease resistant and grows to about the same height as the corylus. The rich golden foliage is quite striking. The new season's flowers and vegetable seeds are available now and a few packets of seeds will'do wohders for bright patches of colour in the summer garden but wait a little whije for the ground to dry out and warm up before planting as seeds must have warmth to germinate and planted in cold wet conditions will be more likely to rot. It is heartening to see good new strains of old garden favourites making their appearance. The soldier poppies are beautiful with their vibrant colours and there are lovely new strains of delphinium — perhaps a little more ; expensive than some but well worth the little extra. Look out for the tuberous begonias which lend thtemselves so well to basket and container planting and make a lovely show in a garden border. They perform equally well inside or out although must be kept away from any frost. Usually they are ready for planting about October when the tiny pink shoots appear on the bulb so hopefully there will be less chance of frost then. The camellia flowered varieties, some with frilly-edges and clear colours, will flower prolifically all summer long and the smaller flowered multi-flora type have a constantbarrage of bright flowers. These are lovely for hanging pots or baskets planted with the pendula varieties which will trail over the side of the pot. A real beauty is the giant cascade which .will trail down to a length of three to four feet. The variety 'Desert Storm' is a rich-glowing orange and would look really good plapted with blue or soft yellow. Get busy now, forget. the rain and fill your pots and containers for summer colour. For a sunny verandah with protection from wind how about a pot of cherry dot tomatoes? Lush green foliage, bright red tiny tomatoes — perfect for a green salad. For those of you who like tog'row herbs on your window sill, a mini herb greenhouse all set up with tiny pots and seed of your favourite culinary herbs to start you off. Have fun.