DAINTY THALICTRUM

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 508, 10 November 1928, Page 28

DAINTY THALICTRUM

SOME POINTS ON CULTIVATION This lovely decorative Chinese plant has occasioned pleasure to many, and, alas, disappointment to not a few', for when and where it does well it is .a most beautiful subject, but to many it presents difficulties. It is with the hope that these few notes will be of assistance to those who have so far not succeeded in establishing this plant that they are penned. It is, however, possible to learn the cause of its success, and in some measure give it similar treatment and conditions. The position should be full sun with |no overhanging trees; even partial shade from shrubs and other plants is best avoided. It delights in a very rich lig'ht soil, which should be well worked during the autumn with plenty of good farmyard manure; chalk or lime, and old mortar rubble should he incorporated. To do it wel\ a certain amount of lime or chalk is essential. Drainage is another important item, and in cold, heavy soils it is imperative that special attention be paid to this. Although sharp drainage is necessai*3 r , the fact must not be overlooked that the roots like a cool, moist run, and during hot. dry periods an occasional soaking will be found beneficial. Planting should be carried out toward the end of October and during the early part of November. However favourable the condition of the soil may he, autumn planting should j never be adhered to. Prepare the j selected site during the autumn, but defer planting until spring. This is j most important. These suggestions are not impos sible, and although they may mean a certain amount of labour and thought, one is well repaid, for the plants will then give you long spikes of purplishlavender flowers wh,ose dainty spread ing panicles are even more decorative than the well-known Gypsophila, and certainly less common. Practically all gardeners, professional and amateur, grow successfully the edible Asparagus. Thallctrum Dipterocarpum is no more difficult; in fact, those who can grow Asparagus well will certainly succeed with Thalictrum, for its cultivation is very similar. PHLOX SPLENDID BEDDERS Perhaps the finest summer border and bedding plant that we have today is the annual Phlox Drummondi. its lpng flowering, and heat and drought-resisting qualities are a garden proverb, and their colour harmonies a dream for the designer. A position in the sun is all that Phlox demands, but for finest results manure and a complete artificial fertiliser should be applied. The ground should be yvell dug and brought to a fine tilth, finally raked over and smoothed out to receive the seed. From the end of August the seed may be sown at intervals up till the end of January, and it should be evenly broadcasted over the surface of the bed prepared. Cover lightly with soil (Jin) and re-cover with a sifting of old stable manure. Water at least once daily up till and a few days after germination. Thin out the cx-op if the seedlings justle one another, but three inches apart is not too close. When blooming commences, water at the impairs the colour. Weekly liquid