GARDENS IN TAUPO

Taupo Times, Volume III, Issue 130, 23 July 1954, Page 8

GARDENS IN TAUPO

NOTES ON RHODODENRONS

(By

Flora)

Those who saw the film "Everest" wil remember the breathtaking glimpses of massed rhododenrons, huge banks of them growing in the foothills of the Himalayas. They also grow profusely in Assam, the south-west provinces of China and Upper Burma. They I need an acid soil, ample rainfall, altitude and a high degree of humidity. Although all these are not found in Taupo, the rhododenron seems very much at home in our gardens here.

Many have been the expeditions, not to climb the lofty peaks above, but to collect seeds and young plants of the rhododenron. It is from these, so laboriously brought out, that the lovely hybrids of toi day were grown. About seventy years ago Sir Joseph Hooker discovered and introduced many fine species of rhododenrons from hetj Himalayas, and several of these beinging tender for most parts of England were crossed with hardier kinds to produce those large flowered hybrids, such as Pink Pearl, which have done so much to popularise rhododenrons. In more recent "tiines, Kingdon Ward has explored other regions of China and Asia, and introduced species showing great variation in method of growth, size and foliage. It may take something up to 20 years for a rhododenron to flower from seed, though many do reach that stage in five or six years. Rhododenrons are suitable for all gardens, but remember that they must have a soil free from lime, and do not empty your ashpan in their vicinity. They really do resent this treatment, kind as you mean to be.

When preparing the ground for your new plants quantities of wellrotted farmyard manure and leaf- I mould may be added, but the manure must not come in direct contact with the roots of newiy planted bushes. After your rhododenrons have been planted never dig deeply near the roots, as they are I surface rooters. But keep the ground free of weeds and grass, and apply annual mulches — in the spring when the soil is at its moistest — of well-rotted sawdust, compost or leaf-mould. As rhododenrons have such a compact root system they can be transplanted with safety when quite large. World experts on rhododenrons have selected New Zealand as one of the best three places in which to grow these plants. Messrs. Kingdon Ward and Millais have commented favourably on the very suitable conditions obtaining throughout most of the West Coast but more particularly the elevated fringes of virgin bushland. That is why "Pukeiti," twelve miles from New Plymouth, was chosen by the New Zealand Rhododenron Trust as the site for their three hundred acre reserve. In years to come this spot will be a great attraction for all lovers of nature. There are many lovely hybrids to choose from, some of the most popular being Pink Pearl; Alice, also pink; J. G. Millais, a red; Fragrantissimum, a large white pink-tinged and sweetly scented; Cornubia, red; Purple Glory; and| Corny Koster, light pink with crimson frilled edges.