GARDEN NOTES.

Shannon News, 16 December 1927, Page 4

GARDEN NOTES.

Dolour in the Garden.

Under the influence of u few warm sunshiny days gardens are suddenly gay with a wealth of glorious bloom. The rose beds are wonderfully bright and the famous varieties of ramblers m reds, pinks and light shades which run riot over pergolas, walls, and archways, will soon be an arresting picture. American pillar is already in its full glory with masses of bright pink blossoms set off by white centres. This is one of th c best ramblers for a wall or hedge. The sweet peas with their delicious fragrance have at last commenced to bloom in earnest and are likely to produce an abundance of flowers during the coming weeks. The poppies also are providing the borders from all that.is gayest and brightest in colour down to th e more sombre tones of greyish-blue and almost jet black. Thc latter colour is seen only in what is known as the large double strain, which is characterised by its bushy grey foliage. Though the beauties of the bearded iris are done, their place is filled by the large clematis-like blooms of the kaempferi and siberica varieties, the latter being among the most dainty of all flowers for cutting. Especially lovely are tli e delphinium blue shaded varieties while the white with a touch of yellow on the falls are good foils when planted near the blue. These irises are tall growers and the flower stalks rise well above the foliage. Like the kaempferi they delight in moist soil, but nevertheless need to be in full sunshine.

In the herbaceous border beautiful, stately spikes of lupin and delphinium with graceful clumps of various coloured watsonias near by are a pleasing sight. Then there are the wonderful bronzy and yellow shadings of thc panther' lilies fronted with masses of gay calendulas or dimorphothccas, Thes e latter are beautiful annuals despite their appalling name. , Dearly loved annuals in. endless variety are also commencing tb give of their best, while trailing- verbenas are a blaze of colour..

The rock garden is an interesting and fascinating place. There, too, the sunshine has awakened v many plants, encouraging them to push out flower buds and make fresh growth. Th e ipomeas. with their sweet convol-vulus-shaped blue flowers are among the prettiest, while many of the saxifrages are in bloom. v In the shrubbery the lovely kalntia is blooming literally covered with pale crinkly buds and flowers. A

bright touch is given by the crimson manukas, and there is also the handsome dark leaved smoke bush with its panicles of dark brown flowers touched with yellow. In their way these sprays of bloom are as dainty as th e popular gypsophila. A plentiful supply of white flowers are produced by the mock orange trees (philadclphus) most of which are very fragrant. Perfume Making. Nbw that delicious scented roses are plentiful and spikes of lavender ' almost fit to gather, attention should be given to the extraction of their perfume, which is both a simple and interesting operation. By carrying out the following plan a highly scented oil may be secured that will retain its fragrance for an indefinite period. Take a good sized jar and cut a number of rounds of cotton wool ty fit inside the vessel. Then secure a quantity of the finest olive oil and immerse the pieces of cotton wool in this until they arc thoroughly saturated. The flowers from which it is desired to extract the perfume should tie freshly gathered. By far the best time to pick them is in the early hours of the morning directly after the dew has disappeared. All the green parts of the flowers should be removed and tli e larger blossoms such as roses, picked to pieces. When the flowers have been prepared they must be packed away in the jar, placing one of the oil soaked rounds of cotton wool in tire bottom first, and then scattering on to this a handful of petals, at the same time adding a light sprinkling of finely crushed common salt. Then put another piece of cotton wool in the jar, and add another layer of petals with more salt. Proceed this way until the jar is full. To get a large number of petals into the jar the mass may be pressed down from time to time. Last of all tie a piece of paper over the mouth of the jar and stand it outside in the sun. At the end of two days the oil will have absorbed most of the perfume of the flowers, and to got as much as possible of it from the cotton wool the best plan is to tip the whole of the contents of the jar into a piece of fine muslin. Tie the corners of the material together so that a bag is formed. Get a clean 'bowl and, into this, press out all the oil that can be squeezed, storing this in tightly stopped bottles. Some wonderful natural perfumes may be prepared from real flowers in this man-

ner and not a few will prefer these to the more complicated scents , of the manufacturer. A dainty little bottle

of scent is always a welcome Christmas gift, and those who have quantities of flowers would And the making of perfumes most interesting. Another good method of capturing the fragrance of flowers involves the use of ice and is not nearly so simple as that described above. Also, when blended this necessitates the use of equal parts of spirits of wine. Colour Harmony.

Most gardens have splashes of colour in various parts with a bare place nearby waiting to be tilled with plants It is very necessary before procuring flowers for these spots to see that the colour will harmonise with what is already there. This detail makes a wonderful difference to the appearance of a garden. Bold masses of a decided colour are preferable to mixtures, but where two or three colours are desired, aim at harmony. For instance, the following colours harmonise with each other well: orange and blue; yellow and crimson; yellow and brown; yellow and purple; pale blue with light orange; pink and grey; scarlet and maroon; and white or cream is good with any eoloui\ Grey foliaged plants often act. as a good foil in separating one colour from another. While most garden lovers aim at a glorious display of colouring the general effect will be wonderfully enhanced }f harmony of colouring is the keynote at the time of planting. Routine Work, With the rapidly aproaching holidays an effort should be made to give the garden a general tidying up and especially is this necessary when contemplating a few weeks sojourn away from home. Weeds that are half grown will soon flower and seed, besides smothering all plants in their vicinity, and it is not pleasant on returning to find the garden greeting one with a neglected untidy appearance. On th e ot:he r hand, if the borders are freed from all robber weeds beforehand, the garden will present, a trim, well cared for appearance which is both pleasurable and refreshing after a few weeks’ absence. Another item which should not be left undone is the staking of oil plants such as dahlias,, chrysanthemums, and the earliest planted gladioli.

Fill up all spare spaces with bedding annuals and plant them firmly. More plants fail through loose, flimsy planting than through any other cause, and firm planting is one of the great golden rules of gardening.

Wherever a case arises, and it is desired to move a large tree, it is best to prepare the -tree for removal by

cutting through and severing the roots on one half one year and the remaining half the next year. This operation ensures successful removal, and the tree grows away much more satisfactorily.

As often as time permits keep , all dead flowers removed from plants.

Lift anemone and ranunculus roots and store for autumn planting. Plant these again as soon as the autumn showers commence if early blooming is looked l’or. Their vacant places may be filled with annuals, but first dig in a little manure. When staking plants in the borders do not tie them all in one bunch. Copy nature which teaches much in this line.

Growing Large Onions,

Transplanted onions will by this time boconiQ well established. If extra large bulbs are wanted the s. plants should from now on receive a little extra attention. Commence operations by well blackening the .soil with old soot, and from the time bulbing commences a weekly application of nitrate of soda or sulphate of am-

monia at the rate of an ounce per square yard should be given. The former is much the cheaper to use. Following the application of the above, failing rain the. bed should be well hoed and if possible receive a thorough watering. On light soils watering is absolutely necessary durthe summer months if large bulbs are to follow, care being taken to give water in sufficient quantities to reach the lowest roots. Should the summer be dry, and watering not possible, mulch the bed not less than an inch deep with half decayed manure as soon as the plants show signs of .forming bulbs, as this will conserve the moisture in the soil, and subsequent rains will wash down plant food to feed the roots.

The Vegetable Garden.

Comparatively slow growth has so far attended those plants needing warmth. The early sown French

beans, marrows, 'etc., have beep at a standstill, but are at last making

some headway,

Make further sowings of .beans, also peas and ; broad beans.