GARDENS IN TAUPO

Taupo Times, Volume IV, Issue 182, 22 July 1955, Page 6

GARDENS IN TAUPO

(By

Flora)

• The question is so often asked, as to what shrubs may suitably be planfed as a beginning for a Taupo garden, usually with a proviso that those suggested must not be too big, that I cannot let July and August pass without referring to this subject. It is wise, of course, to start with subjects that do .well in Taupo. Later, when you have shelter, you many experiment with the not so usual. It is often useless to get shrubs that do well-in, feay, Auckland, for some of •these are- frost tender. It is better by far to put in those that have proved their worth here by standing up t5 extremes of heat and cold. Forsythia : This is a most satisfactory shrub, one of the easiest to grow, and it is not particular as to sqil conditions. It is deciduous, producing a wealth of golden-yellow. flowers in early spring, which sprout from every- joint of its. wand-like growth. * Prostanthera : This will be known to many as the Australian Mint. It is an evergreen and is particularly lovely in the spring, when the bright lavender-blue flowers open in profusion. Spiraea Arguta : This is another spring fiowering shrub that is well wortB. a place in every garden. It bears masses of tiny white flowers, and its attractive feathery foliage turns yellow in the autumn. Berberias Wilsonae : AU the Berberis are hardy, standing the coldest winters, and the above one is noted for' its graceful growth and the charm of its ♦coral-tinted translucent berries. Pyrus Eleyk: : Qne 'of the crab applqs would be not only picturesque, but useful as well. This one is one of the brightest, as it has1 coppery foliage and later dark red fruit. Prunus Blireiana : The flowering plums' are also very popular, and this one has double, bright pink flowers, and later coppery foliage which always shows to advantage in» the garden. ,

Gytisus' Praecox : . It is not everyone that fancies brooms in their garden, but this one is rather different, and is most showy with its pendulous habit of growth and small deep*cream flowers. Potentilla Fruticosa : This would be most suitable for the front of the border, as it only grows about two or three feet high. Its primrose-yellow strawberry flowers appear in spring, and continue to do so for many months. Pomaderris Elliptica : -This is the native "Golden Tainui" and thrives in poor soil. In late spring it is covered with a mass of golden-yellow blooms. A tea. made 'from its leaves is -said to relieve asthma. Staphylea Colchica : This is a-- handsome deciduous shrub bf about six feet which bears white flowers and whose foliage turns .to beautiful auttimn tints. It was awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's first-class certificate. • The last two-mentioned shrubs I have not seen growing in Taupo, but see no reason for their not doing well here.