FLOWERING SHRUBS

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 19, 21 May 1952, Page 2

FLOWERING SHRUBS

f FOR TAUPO SOIL AND CLIMATE

(By 1

Flora")

[Taupo gardeners with problems on their minds are invited to send these to this column for advice.] It would be impossible to indicate mjore than a few of the flowering shrubs suitable for the small den. I do think that everyone should have, at least a few, for in the long run it is true economy, for the furnishing of a garden with transient flowers alone is an expensive business. On the other hand, ornamental and flowering shrubs, once the initial outlay has been made, become a permanent feature, a perennial joy, and an unending source of gratification. Here are some ofthem: ' Acacia (Wattle)—' This family ap^ pears to do well with us. The best known is Acacia Baileyana. It has feathery foliage, and flowrers in the early spring. Unfortunately, as it grows older, this species is subject to unsightly fungoid growths on its trunk and branches. Acacia Leprosa, (8 to 10 ft.) — This is known as the Cinnamon Wattle. Azalea — Both the evergreen and deciduous Azaleas do well in Taupo. They benefit from partial shade, and require a lime-free soil. The Azalea Mollis are particularly lovely, with colours ranging from pale pink to deep orange. All have attractive autumn foliage. Boronia Megastigma — Always a firm favourite with its delightfully perfumed flowers. It should be kept moist during dry spells to discourage the red spider. Callistemon Citrinus Splendens — This Australian hottle-hrush ibears spikes of scarlet flowers in early summer. Ceanothus Gloire de Versailles, (6 ft.) — Has large panicles ofbright powder-blue flowers, flowering over a long period through summer and autumn. rIt requires fairly hard pruning after the flowers have faded, to prevent it from becoming straggly.

Ceratostigma Willmottiana, (3 ft) — This "shrub has small, rich, blue flowers. bearing them through most of the summer and autumn. Cydonia Japonica — This is the well-known red Japonica, which flowers in the late winter. Cytisus — This family requires no j introduction to Taupo. Our countryside glows with the yellow-flowered variety every November. There are also some very showy hybrids: Crimison King, which has masses of crimson flowers, and Lord Lam- 1 bourne, scarlet and gold flowers. These shrubs require hard pruning after flowering. They, like their wild cousins, are subject to the borer. Daphne Rubra, (3 ft.) — This is a firm favourite and needs no introduction. Erica — The hardier members of this family do well in Taupo. Erica iMelantheya, (4 ft.) — Bears masses of small mauve flowers in the autumn. Forsvthia viridissima (8ft.) — Rich yellow flowers in the spring. Ideal for floral work. Grevilla — This family is very much at home in our Taupo gardens; in fact, the species Rosmarinfolia grows rampantly. Grevilla dimorpha, with its deeper crimson flowers is a far more compact shrub of about four feet. — one of the best. Prunus — This family includes soi'qe of the most beautiful of all flowering ~ trees. Flowering Peaches, Almlonds

and cherries come under this heading; all worthy of a place in our gardens. Of so many lovely ones, it is hard to make a choice. The Almond, Prunus Amyqdalus, is the earliest flowering, a real joy. If possible you should hav% a flowering cherry. J. H. Veitch is a dark pink of upright growth. Asahi Botan has spreading growth with double blush-pink flowers. Rhododendron — There are some lovely hybrid varieties: Pink, Pearl, and Large heads of deep pink. J.. G. Millais has deep red flowers; Corry Koster, Light pink . Syringa — These lovely shrubs are very lovely, and appear to do well here. Some of the new doubles are particularly showy. v Viburnum Carlesii (5ft.) — -Bears delightfully scented flowers in the spring. A delicate pink in the bud. Aamamelis mollis, The Witch Hazel (6ft.) — In late Winter clusters of yellow fragrant flowers appear on the bare branches. • Leptospermum Martini — A hybrid Manuka, Large rich pink flowers. Prostanthera rotundifolia (Austrai--lian Mint) — A very satisfactory shrub requires little attention other than pruning after flowering. Hydrangea — During recent years this family has become very popularr? and some lovely colours have come to our gardens. They like partial' shade, an easterly aspect or southerly if some shelter is given is the best. Kolkwitzia amabilis — This is a hardy shrub, bearing bunches of pink flowers in the spring.