GARDENING NOTES.

Shannon News, 3 July 1928, Page 4

GARDENING NOTES.

Winter. Cold, wintry days are with us and, little by little, colour is ebbing from our gardens. Now is the time that we fully appreciate winter blooming plants. In sunny corners the fragrant, shell-pink flowers of lueulia gratis.;ima are opening, together with the pretty flower; of the lantanas. A splash of purple brightens the border where the lasiandr'as arc growing, while many of our charming ericas are flowering freely. Japonicas are full of swelling buds, and the winter blooming Buddlea is commencing o to fill the air' with its fragrance. Routine Work. All routine work must be guided by weather conditions. If shrubs or plants come to hand while the soil is in a sodden condition, trench them in until the soil dries a little. The spring work will be considerably lightened if seed boxes are made or repaired during the wet days. Sharpen garden tools, and prepare all necessary labels. Make a practice of labelling rare plants and shrubs. They are then much more interesting. Wooden labels shouM be given a coat of white paint, with the name printed on with black paint. These will last for many years. At this time of the year there are always opportunities for erecting pergolas, making paths, and any other improvements. Plant Japanese and sibiriea irises; these varieties love the moist places.

Plant any hardy annuals available; these may not make much top growth but they will be getting a firm root hold, which will mean bushy, sturdy plants later on, as well as a wealth of bloom. .

Strike rose cuttings and layer shrubs.

The Vegetable Garden. Make every available preparation for speedy planting in the spring, by manuring and trenching all available ground. • Stir the soil round all growing plants whenever soil conditions permit. Attend to rhubarb and asparagus beds.

Look over seed potatoes and place those intended for early planting in a favourable position to sprout. Plant potato onions and eschallots. Sow seech of cabbage, lettuce, etc., in sunny sheltered nooks, or in boxes, Prune gooseberries, raspberries, currants, and other fruit trees. Plant Strawberries. Dig all ground early; well, and deeply. Eryngiums (Sea Hollies).

For those who are interested in flowering plants of an "everlasting" nature, the eryngiums, or sea hollies, are worth consideration. Very hardy, and requring no special culture, they will grow in most gardens "where moderately good soil is to be found. Clumps can be divided now and planted in the hardy border where they make an- excellent foil for brighter-toned flowers. The colourings of sea hollies comprise amethyst blue, deep blues, and steely blues." There is also a white variety. New Rose Beds. Where it is intended to lay down new beds of roses, it is advisable to have these prepared some weeks in advance of planting time. Thorough pre paration pays in the end. Double digging or trenching is almost a necessity, with a liberal dressing of rich old farmyard manure mixed with the soil as the work proceeds. When the ground is ready, the - first- favourable chance should be seized for getting the actual planting carried out. The Flag Iris. Among the most exquisite of the hardy flowers of summer are the flag, germanica, or bearded irises. There is no sight in the world of flowers more truly lovely than the shining buds of iris opening their petals on a sunny day. Beautiful as is the common purple variety, there are scores of other shades in exquisite and wonderful colourings. They succeed perfectly in any well drained soil, and on high, dry banks the leaves are decorative throughout the year.' Also, no flower: are more acceptable for indoor decorations. Spaces fronting shrubberies may be filled wifch flag irises,' so loug as thcy obtain a fair amount of sunshine. The; e irises are now throwing up numerous young foliage spikes and where division is necessary, the work should be undertaken at the earliest opportunity. Scabiosa Caucasica. This is one of the most valuable of lasting mauve flowers. The colojur of its blooms, its long length of stem, and its vigour have won for it many admiring comments. Few plants are capable of giving such bounteous displays over so long a period, and cultivation is happily by no means difficult. Scabiosas look particularly well planted in a bold drift at, the margins of borders, and are of such remarkable beauty and grace that they may b'.« used with good effect near the lower flanks of rockwork. They look particularly well nestling between boulders, their symmetrical flowers creating a rich display. The plant has much to commend it, and its flowers are most useful for cutting. It must not bo confused, however, with the old fashioned scabious, or pin cushion. Scabiosa caucasica is quite a low-growing plant, the flowers being flatfish, with a outer ring of | broad petals. The governing principle I of its successful cultivation appears to be the non-disturbance of the plants until springtime, when they may be lifted and divided if necessary. At this time of the year new roots issue j from the crown, thus giving the plants j