CHRISTMAS GARDEN HINTS AND LEGENDS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 852, 21 December 1929, Page 38

CHRISTMAS GARDEN HINTS AND LEGENDS

FLOWERS FOR CHRISTMAS “Flowers are “Nature's Jewels .” Flowers and Christmas are inseparable. They are the sileht, ever-welcome guests at tile table, the ambassadors of brightness and joy. Nothing pleases, refines or enthuses more than these harbingers of happiness. They radiate sunshine, beauty and goodfellowship wherever displayed. . , At this time of the year the shops and gardens abound with choice blooms of carnation, cornflowers, gladioli, lilies, roses, pansies, gerberas, in great variety, and the decorators are sometimes at a loss to choose among these subjects. Christmas lilies bring with lne,m the spirit of the festive season and every home should endeavour to obtain one flower at least of this exquisite bulb. This year they are much earlier and a shortage at this period may occur. Sweet peas are now plentiful and are exquisite for table decoration but do net keep well if the weather is hot, and often fade indoors. Gather them in the early morning and they will keep much are most imposing if arranged in large vases or bowls. The local florists are now offering many new and pleasing shades which tone in with &ny colour scheme. Gladioli are best picked in the late afternoon, choosing those spikes with four or five blooms open. If the spikes are allowed to lie for a few minutes in tho sun they will keep much better in water. Gerberas are beautiful and are to be had in dainty tints. They lend themselves to artistic arrangement and are graceful in every position. One could not go wrong to choose them for cut-glass or silver bowls.