FURTHER SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF GARDENS AT TAUPO

Taupo Times, Volume VI, Issue 285, 25 July 1957, Page 3

FURTHER SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF

GARDENS AT TAUPO

(By

Flora)

Here are some further suggestions for planting of shrubs during the coming months to improve our ovvn gardens and to make Taupo a pleasant place in which to live, as vvell as attractive to the thousands of visitors who come here each year. October: Most of the magnolias will be out by this timo. There are some lovely varieties to choose from* and one of tlie best is M. parviflora. It j bears creamy-white flowers, gpc] the | lorig erimson stamens give it out- I ^anding- cliaracter. Tlie roofs of magnolias are thick and fleshy, and cave should be taken to obviate damage while planting. Use Hoe Cautiously November: Oue of the loveliest of flowering shrubs is undoubtedly tlie l'liododendron. It does well in Taupo, reqniring a lime-freo soil. It thrives j on organic niatter, wii h periodical dressings of bonemeal. Tlie lioe should be used cautiously, for these are surface-robting shrubs and will snffer eonsiderahle damage if the roots are distnrbed. An aniiual dressing of eompost in the spring will keep the roofs cool during the summer. 1 There ANUmany JiHi£etids of rliododendron to chpose- fro'nt but one of the lovtdiest is pihk poarl,. wh'ich bears imense trusses oL sbftr pink ilbwers. December: The Cistus or rock-rose is not given tlie attention it deserves. This evergreen shrub grows to about

four feet, and is indispensahle for liot, dry sitnations. It is liardy and produces a wealtli of bloom throughout tlie summer ; it is not fussy about soil j conditions. j There are several varieties. One, called Sunset, has rosy elaret flowers with crimped petals. - Flowers For Months ? " .>■ ■/ January: The Spartium. oi* Spanish broom is in flower for several months. Its stems are erect and rush-like, bearing large, yellow flowers, sweetly ! scented. It favours a hot, dry condition, so does well in Taupo. February: Hydrangeas must be inciuderi. For Taupo conditions a Httle shelter is required, and it favours an easterly wa 11. There are many shades, white, pink, blue and red, A lovely pink is the Altona, in blue Holsteiu and Parsival has rich red flowers. March: The Irisli strawberry tree a tiratu s unedo is a hardy shrub withstanding cold winds. It has a twofold attraction: during the autumn it bears masses of creamy belhlike flowers, followed' by large red fruits, wliicli are favoumi by tlie birds. April: A low-growing shrub. ihe blfae Sfpirjwpt or ea ryoptens olaiuhe ; nensis is •autumn, flowering. Its aroniatic foliage is pleasing, as are its prominent blue flowers. May: Not all lieaths are hardy, but Ei'iea darleyensis will withstand all we.-it hers, and flowers throughout tlie j winter months. It fornis a busli three or four feet aeross. hut only about two feet liigli, and bears masses of palg rosy-pink belts on sliort sprays.