POPULAR SNAPDRAGONS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 554, 5 January 1929, Page 24

POPULAR SNAPDRAGONS

The antirrhinums seem to be coming more popular every year, and we must now count them among the most popular of the summer-flowering annuals. There are few plants, indeed, which lend themselves to so many useful purposes in the garden. They can be had in flower in almost any month of the year by a little management in the sowing of seed, etc. The range of colours in the different varieties is very much greater than it was a few years ago. Indeed, it is rapidly extending each year. Not only is the range of colour extending under the skilful hands of the hybridists, but also the size of the bloom and the habit of the plant itself are being improved out of sight. The modern snapdragons are very much in advance of the old ones in every way. It will be found that the modern strains thrive as rockery plants, for they quickly push their roots down among the crevices in the rocks, and. to our way of seem more at home when so situated. VARIETIES The antirrhinums are divided into three sections. First of all there is the tall section, which grow up to 3 feet in height, and bear long spikes of blooms. These make ideal plants for a back row, but should be carefully staked before coming into flower, as their height makes them very liable to be caught by the wind. Then there is the semi-tall. This is the most popular section at the present time, and are the best sorts of bedding. As they only attain a height of some 18 inches, it will be found that they do not need staking. The third section is the dwarf or Tom Thumb varieties, which grow about 9 inches high, and are best used for edging the beds, and for massing in small beds. If they are allowed sufficient space they will quickly spread out into compact bushes, and flower freely all the summer. CULTURE The antirrhinum, being a native of dry positions, thrive best in a welldrained ooil, and the principal cause of failure with these plants is to be looked for in a wet soil, or one which has been made too rich by the addition of strong manures. Lime should be freely used in preparing the soil for their culture, and if it is considered necessary to use manure, use only stable manure which has been thoroughly decayed. Though the plants are perennial in habit, it is found best to raise them each year from seed. If the best varieties are desired, the only way to rely on getting them is to buy the choicest seed obtainable, and raise them in boxes, to be afterwards transplanted to the garden. Mixed seeds or seedlings rarely give the best results. Most seedsmen now stock a large range of the best-named varieties, and these mostly come true from seed.