SHRUBBY CALCEOLARIAS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 140, 3 September 1927, Page 26

SHRUBBY CALCEOLARIAS

A SPLENDID BEDDING PLANT Bedding calceolarias were at one time considered a most essential class of plants for the adornment of the garden in summer and there were few

bedding schemes which did not include a goodly proportion of these, particularly of the yellow and brown shades. Nowadays they do not, however, figure quite so prominently, having either been displaced by the larger and more brilliantly flowered greenhouse varieties or by some different class of plants entirely, with the result that many of the once popular varieties are now difficult to procure. Fortunately, for they are charming little plants, it is still possible to obtain these in sufficient variety to enable them to be used with good effect either in bedding schemes or to brighten up some portion of the garden. Provided the weather is at all favourable. these may be planted out now, and, as short-jointed, stubby, little specimens give better results than longspindly ones, preference should be given to the former when selecting one’s plants. Success or otherwise depends to a certain extent on the season, as a very hot, dry season considerably shortens their period of usefulness, but as coolness at the roots is appreciated by this class of plants, these should be planted in a fairly rich loam, which has been deeply cultivated. The space allowed between each plant depends on whether they are used as dots or massed, but well-shaped symmetrical plants can only be obtained by permitting ample room for development and the ground between the plants should either be carpeted with a dwarf subject to keep the roots cool or else stirred regularly with the hoe for the same purpose. These beautiful plants may also be grown from cLittings taken dLiring the autumn and early spring. Nip the tips of the young growth only, about two inches in length and strike in a box of sandy soil. Place in a cool shaded position until the cutting begins to root and when large enough plant out in the required positions. FLOWER SCENT AT NIGHT During the summer months, the evening aspect of the garden is the one that interests us most; it is only in the cool of the eve that we have full leisure to enjoy the fruits of our labour, and what shall we see if we plan our garden from the viewpoint of colour values only? Vivid colours may show up well at mid-day, but in the evening garden fragrance must reign supreme above all other qualities. It is a curious provision of nature that brilliantlycoloured flowers possess no scent, for these rely upon their bright hues to attract insect visitors. Fragrant flowers are mostly of soft and subdued tones and, in the case of night-scented species, the colour is usually white or pale yellow, for these shades show up best in the dusk of day. Let us take a few examples, all plants that may be put in at the present time for providing a profusion of sweetly-scented blossom during the summer months. Nicotiana affinis (the tobacco plant) is one of the most powerfully fragrant of all half-hardy annuals, and is probably familiar to all readers. A big mistake in dealing* with this species is to dot the plants about singly. Far finer effects are produced by growingin large masses of six or a dozen, though, of course, this is not possible ! in a small border. When selecting j plants growing in boxes at the nurs- : ery, choose only those that look sturdy. Seedlings that have commenced to 1 spindle up to flower in the seed-boxes ! will never make good plants, though I they may blossom very early in the season. Nicotiana affinis, of course, ! bears long tubed white blossoms; be- j sides this, there are the Sanderae liy- j brids, with flowers in varying shades of red. pink, mauve, etc., but these scarcely seem so fragrant as the white i form. All nicotianas will flourish in partial shade, and in such positions , grow very luxuriantly. Another fragrant annual is" Matthiola bicornis (night-scented stock). , Seed should be scattered freely in positions where the scented air may be wafted into the living-room. During daytime, the flowers are rolled Lip in tight balls, but with the approach of evening, or during cool, showery weather, they open wide, and emit their i powerful and refreshing fragrance into the surrounding garden for yards around. The double ten-week stocks are also members of the Matthiola family and added to their fragrance, they have the advantage of showiness and ease of culture.