FOR THE WOMAN GARDENER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 December 1938, Page 10

FOR THE WOMAN GARDENER

QUESTION OF SPACE. Although man}' of us would like to have several acres of ground in which to indulge our love for the cultivation of colourful flowers, it is an erroneous idea to suppose that a garden can only be beautiful because it is big. Large gardens entail endless work and expense, which is all right if one has money to spare, and can afford to hire labour, but the small garden is economical to run, and the work does not usually get beyond the average householder. ' The smaller the garden is, the more important is the task of keeping it gay and bright at all seasons of the year, and, although to achieve this one must work out a definite plan, the result is wofth the trouble. The introduction, of large-scale features to the small garden is wrong, as it makes it look over-crowded. Trying to grow too many plants is another fault which must be overcome. Plants grown from seed are so cheap (except, of course, very choice varieties) that one is tempted to allow too many to grow closely together; too many others of vigorous growth spread quickly, and kill off the weaker ones; and so 'the borders, instead of being a joy, are a disappointment and the effect aimed at is not achieved. A WIDE WALK. Too convey the impression of space, at the outset make the walk wide enough to allow two persons to walk abreast comfortably. A strip of grass on either side of the walk will strengthen this illusion, and if the borders between the tiny strips and the lawn are filled with flowers and plants of moderate height, so that the view of the lawns is not obstructed, the impression will be further heightened. Another idea for the garden in front which has a central position for the gate is to have a flagged path from gate to door, the path forming a circle half-way up. A border on either side of the pathway could be planted with standard roses, and edged with small plants such as bedding begonias, pansies, petunias, phlox drummondii, portulaca, primulas, stocks, wallflowers, and the delightful new Lilliput pastel zinnias. This border would not obstruct the view of the lawn, and the desirable air of dignity would be preserved. Winding walks and large, irregular shrubs should be avoided as they destroy the restful aspect of the smaller garden. Grow sweet-smelling flowers such as carnations, pansies, mimulus (musk), stocks, and wallflowers near the house. Avoid high hedges, which tend to make the space look more .confined; low-growing flowering hedges are better. . • • MIXED FLOWER BORDER. A mixed flower border close to the alignment fence may be filled with annuals, biennials, perennials, and a few flowering shrubs. Flowering bulbs may also be judiciously introduced. These will serve to keep the gorden bright for the best part of the year, and will provide plenty of flowers at a minimum cost of time and labour? Annuals are plants which flower and die, biennials are sown one year to produce flowering plants the following year; and herbaceous perennials are plants which are left undisturbed from year to year, and which make fresh top growth every year from a perennial root-stock. Flowering shrubs in the mixed borders give an air of stability, and prevent that monotonous look so prevalent in the average garden. They should be arranged so that they are not hidden by the perennials and the taller annuals. Many of these shrubs are attractive even when not in flower. Hydrangeas, which grow so well in and around the suburbs of Sydney, are valuable both from an artistic point of view and because of the glorious heads of bloom which make effective decoration for both garden and indoors. The new varieties are gorgeously coloured, but even the old types are wonderfully decorative. Azaleas, bouvardias, ; browallia, chorizema (native shrubs), cotoneasters, erica, goldfussia, fuschsias, hibiscus, lavender, lasiandra, nerium (oleander) ochina, nierembergia, plumieria (frangipanni), poinciana, poinsettia, spiraea (may), syringa (lilac) are all delightful subjects for the borders, the. position being governed by the selection of shrubs. Shrubs and plants which thrive in the sun will naturally be placed in a sunny position, and shadeloving plants must have adequate shelter. This applies to all flowers, and the success of their growth depends largely on that factor. Seeds of flowers which may be sown this month are amaranthus, asters, antirrhinum (snapdragon), balsam, begonias (fibrous-rooted), calliopsis, celosia or cockscomb (feathery and crested), cineraria, cosmos, coleus, gomphrena (globe amaranth), helianthus (sunflower), marigold (African and French), pansy, petunia, portulaca, phlox drummondii, primula malacoides, wallflower, and zinnia.