YOUR GARDEN AND MINE

New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 36, 1 March 1940, Page 41

YOUR GARDEN AND MINE

By

Ann

Earncliff

Brown (No. 24)

| ; |" GOING NATIVE" that a genuine New Zealander may some day "vaunt his Alsenosmia, Brachyglottis ‘Carpodetts; or Dacrydiums."’ "Tn truth " Dacrydium Cupressimum"' (Red Pine) in its immature stage is so’ lovely that we are proud to commence to "go native" with it. In congenial situations where shelter and adequate moisture are formed the tree develops long slender branches that fall in a cascade of exquisite grace and hue. My sin of omission, fortunately has ik a recent Listener, A.A.P. suggests confined itself to paper, for in my garden there are representatives of the four sections of New Zealand fiative plants -trees, shrubs,.. ferns, and alpines. Amongst the trees is a liberal sprinkling of the Cabbage tree (Cordyline Australis),».much beloved: despite _ its untidy habit of shedding ‘its leaves through the year. Here also are Lancewdods still in their fierce infancy-tall, ‘slight. and dangerous looking with stiff! ‘sword-like leaves jabbing downwards. The adult tree becomes less: "threatening with rounded form and foliage broadened on its branches: Pittos porums, ornate and usefully evergreen, dot ‘themselves picturesquely here and there in pleasant contrast: to the dark shining leathery leaved .Broadwoods. Here also’ the lovely Kowhai (¢Sophora: tetraptera), with feathery . foliage and showers: ‘of golden flowers gladdens my eyes inJearly spring. But I confess to the absence of the glowing native Fuchsia :(F. Incorticata).

In " Your Garden and Mine" it deserves a place. The gay flowers are a feast to our eyes and prime favourites! also with nectar-seeking native birds. Rare among natives for its change of colour in the autumn, the. Fuchsia is strikingly decorative in the winter, where its red-brown papery bark glows against the sombre tint of evergreens. Ribbonwoods flourish here, and are quick-growing trees, suitable for planting at the seaside. The variety Hoheria Populnea has beautiful foliage and an abundance of white flowers, particularly welcome in autumn and early winter. The less long-lived Gaya Lyalli is also very lovely, with green deciduous leaves and pure white blossoms so like those of the cherry. With us these come in December. The Ratas I should have also Ratas, with their lovely crimson flowers, for these trees thrive near the sea. The Northern Rata or Christmas Tree has a greyish foliage, but the Metrosideios Lucida, .or Southern Rata, has dark green foliage and very bright flowers. In the bush this Rata has a clear trunk, but grown in gardens it becomes shrubby, with leaves almost to the ground. Since native alpines are so fascinating, and can be grown successfully from seed sown as soon as it is fit to collect, I may devote a further article to these, and to the ferns and herbaceous plants of New Zealand.