ORNAMENTAL AND FLOWERING SHRUBS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 68, 11 June 1927, Page 24 (Supplement)

ORNAMENTAL AND FLOWERING SHRUBS

How often when we see a well-grown flowering shrub in full bloom in a friend’s garden do we say to ourselves: “I simply must have one of those in my garden next year!” And how often does time for planting go past unnoticed and our resolutions are forgotten until flowering time comes again. Make up your mind to plant some of the following . shrubs and prepare the ground for them now: June, July and August are the planting months for almost any shrubs, and so you have ample time to make your preparations. For those readers unskilled in the names and varieties of flowering trees the following list or six attractive shrubs should be helpful.

Cassia has lovely heads of bright yellow flowers and beautiful foliage, and is very hardy and grows about 10ft. • Lasiandra macrantha grandiflora, one of the finest of these shrubs, which does best in a sheltered position. The foliage has a velvety appearance, and the shrub bears large purple flowers cup-shaped. Height, 12ft. Luculia gratissima for beauty and fragrance is unrivalled. It flowers in the winter, bearing heads of pink flowers like bouvardias. It likes an eastern position, and will not stand heavy frosts. The tree grows rapidly and will flower the first season of planting. It makes a splendid show for lawns. - Bouvardias are splendid autumnwinter flowering plants, lasting in bloom nearly nine months of the year. They will not stand heavy frosts, unless partially sheltered, or in cold districts they can be cut down at the approach of winter, when they will bloom throughout the spring and summer. They do well planted between roses. Boronia megastigma, a dainty native of South Australia, producing tiny bell-shaped brown flowers sweetly scented. Height 3ft. to 4ft. Rhus succedanea, an ornamental deciduous tree, splendid in autumn, when the leaves turn orange and crimson, making a gorgeous effect. Height, Bft.