GARDENING NOTES.

Shannon News, 2 October 1928, Page 4

GARDENING NOTES.

What to Plant,

Planting operations in the garden have been considerably delayed during the recent cold spell and a period of warmth would be greatly appreciated by the gardener. It is important that ail plants get a good root hold before fhe 3ummer sets in in earnest; hence the importance of planting asearly as is possible. The owner of the small garden should specialise in those things which bloom over a long period. A plant that blooms for only a few weeks, however beautiful, is not as welcome in the long run as the plant which continues blooming for some months. Among the most valuable for this purpose in tall-grow-ing subjects is the-nicotiana (tobacco plant), which can be had in various shades of red and rose as well as.in the okler white variety. These are very showy and bloom freely until cut down by frosts. Zinnias, salvias, and tree marigolds are three other tall growers which bloom over" a long season. Zinnias need rich soil to grow to perfection and are best when provided with a little shelter. Although sturdy looking, the branches are easily broken down by wind.

Where something tall is required for the background of s. border, clumps of sweet-peas flower for a lengthy period' if the spent blooms arc kept plucked,, while hollyhocks arc stately and showy. A nice background in brown or yel!6w shades is given by planting helenuims which grow to a height of from five to six feet. Antirrhinums will bloom for months if kept from seeding, and the gaillardias, with their beautiful showy bronzy flowers always form a welcome addition. Groups of foliage plants, placed here and there among bright flowering subjects are very effective, especially those with dark foliage when placed among red, bronze and yellow flowers. Groupings of grey foliage plants are seen to advantage near pale pink and mauve shaded flowers, such as pink eschscholtzias, pink antirrhinums, catmint, etc. <-; -- •■; ■-•- • A-riong lower-growing plants, dimorphotheeas and eschscholtzias rank high for lengthy blooming, and yellow calendulas are hardy and useful. Iceland poppies are among the best of bloomers and the charming blue ageraturns, which blossom from "early summer until late autumn. Nemesias, in their many bright colours, are valuable for the same reason. '' A Soft-husd Border. Where it is desired to form a border giving a restful effect try groups of blue and mauve irises for the back' , ground, choosing the talNgrowxng bearded types with their accompanying grey-tih'tcd foliage. Fronting these, ; plant groupings of ncpeta mussina (catmint) finishing with a border of staehys lanata, (lambs' cars). The whole is delightfully restful, if not planted too formally. Bring the irises further to the front here and there to enable the catmint to nestle further back,... thus avoiding the straight lino which is sch dom restful in its effect. Catmint is one of our most .valuable grcy-foliaged subjects for restful work, and the beautiful woolly leaves of staehyslanata form a fitting border to any grey foli age scheme. The above three plants 'have the great advantage of being perennial, and, when once planted, will cause very little trouble for years. Where the bed is largo enough, a .plant of the giant silver-leaved thistle planted in- a suitable corner will give an air of distinction. Its leaves are a lovely grey shade, while a bush or two of the grey-leaved lavender will not be amiss. Calliopsis, Iceland Poppies, Alyssum. The'se planted together, will form a bright and striking bed. The calliopsis are for the background, Iceland poppies coming next, finishing with a border of white alyssum. This grouping is ideal for a rather narrow' and lengthy border. As the calliopsis goes out of" bloom have ready some good, sturdy antirrhinum plants in orange and flame shades to take their place, and with the waning of the alyssum, which will not*be until late autumn, plant yellow violas in their place. The bed will then be ready for early spring blooming, as the poppies are biennial and usually last for a few years. Oriental Poppies. Those large-flowered, herbaceous plants, known under the general name of Oriental poppies, form one of the brightest and most interesting features of our borders during the months of November and December. The old scarlet flower, with its boss of black anthers,, has for many years been a familiar plaat to most of us and no gardener-should be without these noble perennial plants, as they are decidedly decorative. There are now a large number of* ether varieties, differing chiefly in the colour of their blossoms, some being in charming shades of salmon, apricot, and rich crimsons and maroons. They all make good border plants for they pos- l sess that clearness of colour that is essential for adding beauty to the garden. Moreover, subjects with large flowers and large leaves arc needed in all gardens, for they add boldness to the general effect and smaller growing things gain by their proximity. These -poppies are delightful as cut ,flowers, and should be cut just when the buds are bursting. They will then •open freely in water and reveal to the fullest extent, the beauty of the papery petals-. The only fault to be found with them is their untidy, straggling appearance during autumn —in fact, one would think then that the plants wore dead., Yet this difficulty \ may be overcome by planting suitable

annuals between the plants to hide their unsightly appearance.

Some of the new varieties have deeply fringed petals, which impart a lacy effect to the blooms. At this time of the year, particularly if the plants have occupied the same position for a number of years, it will be found of great advantage to give tnem a good mulch of farmyard manure. Failing this, work in some artificial blood and bone. Eoses. At this period there appears to be a duel between the two types of flowers—the thin rose and the full. Lovers of the rose admire both types, and usually have some of each in their gardens, but for several reasons the positions of both in popular favour have been challenged. In the first place, the thin (usually with few petals but nicely shaped buds) have been developed in such marvellous shades that they have become irresistible, and despite the t ir weaknesses, which are apparent when the blooms arc fully expanded, we yet love and appreciate them for their other good qualities. Possibly the two bestknown typically thin roses are Lady Pirrie and Betty Uprichard. The first is always in favour because it is always in bloom, and the latter supplies a shade which in parts of the garden is needed. For this reason Betty Uprichard should never be omitted from any collection. A single rose (Dainty Bess) has created quite a sensation amongst England's horticultural circles. Even those who do not like .single roses have eueeumbed to the irresistible charm of this rose which is described as a lovely salmon pink with beautiful yellow anthers.

However much we may be fascinated by the brilliantly coloured thin roses, the position of the fuller type with thicker and more numerous petals will prove unassailable on account of thqir value for the exhibition, table and their longer lasting qualities. This type of rose may be picked in the tight-bud stage and sent long distances, provided the flowers are placed in water for some six hours before despatching. England sent roses to the great international show held at -Ghent, B'clgium, last April. These were cut on a Tuesday, despatched by rail on Wednesday, arranged on Thursday, and were at their best on Saturday, when the King of Belgium opened the show. They remained good until two days later, and were among the best exhibited. Not all roses will last as these did, literally for a week in good condition, but these wore chosen varieties. One of the best was Lady Sylvia, a sport of Mine. Butterfly and of deeper colour. Mmc Butterfly herself was there, so, too, was Columbia, the best rose of all to keep ii: a cut state, and its bright, yet delicate, pink flowers never lose their colour. The red Hoosier Betty was also there —a very nice variety, but its last ing qualities do not equal those of Columbia. Fragrance, which forms such an important attribute to a rose, is not. more prominent in one type than in the other, for we find it distributed alike among single, thin, and full irrespective of colour. A summing up of the two types seems to point to the fact that the brightest colours are found in the thinner types, while the fuller typos last longer, both cut. or on the plant; Garden Paths. • The pleasure of a small garden depends in no small measure on its paths. If they are badly made, loose, soft and wet, it is impossible to get about without discomfort after,rain or during a thaw. Yet proper construction is not everything. They should also be in the right positions. In small gardens, there are sometimes far too many paths which occupy valuable space which could be used for other purposes. Every path should have a definite object. It should load from the road to the house, from the house into the garden, or from some particular part of the garden to another. ' If one path will serve two objects, it is a mistake to go to the trouble and expense of making another and by doing so reduce the space for flowers and vegetables, a small point, but very important. 11l the vegetable garden the paths " are best kept as straight as possible, but in the more ornamental part, there are other things to consider. The paths of nature are never straight. They wind up the hills and down the valleys and meander through the wood*, perpetually diverted from the direct line by some obstacle such as a tree or a bank. The result is always charming and there is no monotous regularity. Paths such as these unfold a series of pictures, instead of the whole being exposed in one comprehensive view. Here, as always the gardener should aim at imitating nature, by planning out the curves that are pleasing, to the eye; also there must be an obvious reason for every divergence. If it is not already there, it must be supplied by planting a tree, or a group of shrubs. A flower bed is not sufficient reason, for it might be just as well anywhere else. Even a lawn between the entrance gate and the house will often tempt people to take a short-cut across, but a group of shrubs will send their feet around the garden path. Construction. Although many object to concrete paths, there is a lot to bo said in their favour. They never require weeding, and are everlasting and the weeding of paths takes up considerable time annually. Crazy paving is sometimes resorted to, made with pieces of rock or stone or tiles; but weeds have a habit of finding out the chinks and making a home for themselves therein. If loose gravel is used, some clay should be sifted among it to enable it to settle firmly. Nothing is more unpleasant than pieces of loose metal adhering

to boots or shoes. In the flower garden, where there are numerous' beds, no path looks better than one made of turf, which should be kept mowed and holled. These have one drawback, and that is that the wheelbarrow should not be used on them during winter and spring. The crazy pathway with its irregular patchwork appearance is largely used in the rock garden where it seems quite in keeping with its surroundings.