HEDGE PLANTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 November 1939, Page 3

HEDGE PLANTS

GIVE THEM ATTENTION. Hedge plants extract large quantities of food from the soil, so it is necessary to enrich the ground occasionally to prevent the hedge from becoming starved and stunted. A mulch of decayed leafmould, rotted manure , or even a layer of rich soil, will provide the plants with the necessary nourishment. Before applying it, however, fork the soil lightly along each side of the hedge where it has been trodden down during clipping operations. Hedges that are gappy in places can be improved by tying down some of the lower branches. The roots of some hedge plants spread quite a long way and encroach on the beds and borders. The easiest way to remedy this is to dig a trench about two feet from the hedge and sink sheets of galvanised iron so that the edges are just below soil level. DARK CORNERS MAKE THEM BRIGHT. Walls and fences enclosing gardens create at least two dim corners from which sunshine is excluded for the greater part of the day. If the sun does reach these spots, however, for only two or three hours in the morning or evening, it is better to plant them with easily grown flowers of a bright hue, rather than resort to the dull and uniform hues of ferns. It is relief from the shade that is required. Most spring flowering bulbs may be relied upon to provide brilliant patches of colour in the early months. There are also many long blooming perennials, which do not mind shade and furnish a cheerful display in summer and autumn. The point to remember is, that clear tones of blue, yellow, white and red. have a much greater illuminating effect than tints of cream, rose, magenta and purple.

Geums Mrs Bradshaw and Lady Stratheden are prolific scarlet and yellow flowers respectively, while the Evening Primroses will all furnish further golden lights. A selection of Campanulas. Lupins, Delphiniums, and the graceful Erodiums or Cranesbiils will provide all the blues needed, with an intriguing diversity of foliage. A few lilies, and later Japanese anemones will strengthen the brightening effect. For the edge of the more than partially shaded border, there is no plant which provides a greater finish than Ccrastium tomentosum with its spreading silver sheets. ‘