IRISH GARDENING. 



The Forsythias. 



Amonu the flowering shnilis of late March and 

 early April none is more attractive than the 

 Forsythias. For many years practically only three 

 species were known — namely. F. suspensa, F. iii- 

 teniiedia. and F. r'niiH-i.'<i ma — the last-named 

 being the least ornamental of the three. For- 

 sytlua suspensa is represented by two forms, one 

 forming long thin pendulous .shoots considered as 

 the type, and the other called F. siispensa For- 

 tunei, which forms stouter branches and is of 

 more erect, growth. The slender-growing pendu- 

 lous form is sonii'times called F. j^irholdii, and is 

 admirably adajjted for growing against a wall, 

 where the lieautiful golden-yellow flowers come 

 early and are borne in profusion. A sufficient 

 number of main shoots to cover the allotted space 

 should be trained against the wall. From these, 

 secondary growths will be inoduced which will 

 hang out from the wall and flower throughout 

 their lengtli ; when the flowers are over, these 

 growths are cut hard back to the main shoot, and 

 will be succeeded by others during the summer. 

 The stiffer form, F. Fdi-fiinei, is well adapted for 

 growing as an isolated specimen or in a shrid)- 

 bery, preferably among evergreens, where its 

 leafless branches, wreathed w-ith golden-yellow 

 flowers, make a rare picture. There is a very fine 

 variety of F. Foiiuiiei. introduced from China liy 

 Mr. Ernest Wilson, to whom our gardens owe so 

 imich. It is named F. Fortunei (lirocaulis, and 

 has dark brownish, black shoots, on which are 

 borne large clear yellow flowers. It is one of the 

 most distinct of the Forsythias, and a shrub of 

 singular beauty. 



/''. iiitcniiedid is a reputed liyl)rid between F. 

 suspensa and the green-steunued F. riridis-frnm ; 

 hence the specific name, intermedia. It forms in 

 time a nmch-braiiched shruli. the main branches 

 giving rise to smaller secondary growths whicli 

 bear inniuiierable golden-yellow flowers in April. 

 This species does not requiie the annual cutting 

 back of the branches after flowering, which is 

 an advantage in the case of F. siispensii, but it 

 certainly benefits from an occasional thinning out 

 of the older shoots. Three new forms of inter- 

 media have of late years become popular in 

 gardens. These are: — F. nitermediii densifloia, 

 a particularly floriferous variety of extraordinary 

 beauty; F. iiitennedia sj}ectiihilis, with immense 

 golden-yellow- flowers abundantly produced; F. iti- 

 ferinedia i-itrU'tii(i, a robust, vigorous grower, with 

 remarkably lich golden-yellow flowers. 



F. viridi'ssiina, although, in the writer's opinion, 

 not so ornamental as any of the foregoing, is of 

 value in being later in flowering; the flowers are 

 paler in colour, and, owing to the green colour of 

 the shoots and to the leaves being retained to 

 some extent through mild winters, they are not 

 seen to the same advantage as on the leafless 

 shoots of the others described. 



Forsythias like a good, deeply-worked soil to 

 develop fully and show their true beauty, but. 

 given this, no shrubs are easier to manage or 

 more consistently satisfactory. 



They are easily propagated by cuttings of half- 

 ripe young .shoots iir July. 



If t were limited to three of the best, I should 

 choose the slender form of F. suspensa (F. .SV- 

 holdii), F. Foituuei (jfronnilis. and F. iiiieniiedid 

 spertahilis. 



B. 



Gladioli. 



April is probalily the best mouth for planting 

 autumn-flowering Gladioli. The soil is moist, and 

 already the surface is becoming warm ; hence 

 growth begins at once, and, under normal con- 

 ditions, continues uninterruptedly until the flower 

 spikes are developed. No extra-spei'ial soil is re- 

 quired for the growth of Gladioli. Ordinary well- 

 tilled garden soil, such as grows vegetables, her- 

 baceous plants, or " bedding " plants satisfac- 

 torily will grow Gladioli well. A fair supply of 

 moisture is essential, hence the addition of 

 thijiouijlihj decayed manure is beneficial in light 

 soils that are liable to dry out during a prolonged 

 drought. Nevertlieless, despite tlie heat ancl 

 drought of last sujnmer, Gladioli made a beauti- 

 ful display in the autunm, when many herbaceous 

 j)lants were hard put to it to develop their flowers. 



For the herbaceous border Gladioli are excellent. 

 Planted in fair-sized groups of anything from six 

 to a dozen corms or more, their tall spikes of 

 handsome flowers blend l.>eautifully with the 

 Asters, Sunilowers, Heleniunis, &c., of late 

 sunmier and autiunn. 



But the herbaceous border is liy no means ii.o 

 only place for them. Where beds of one kind of 

 herbaceous plants are grown, such as of Delphini- 

 ums, Lupins, Paeonias for early summer flower- 

 ing. Gladioli may be planted between ; then when 

 the faded lloweis of the herbaceoiis plants are 

 cut over, the Gladioli jiush up and llnwer from 

 August onwards. 



Shrubbery borders, too, may be made gay by 

 planting groups of various-coloured Gladioli in 

 the open spaces between the shrubs. In the latter 

 case, if the soil seems rather poor, remove it to 

 the depth of nine inches and place a couple of 

 inches of rotten manure in the bottom, covering 

 it with two inches of the soil removed; then place 

 the corms and fill in the remainder of the soil. 



,A.s a general rule. Gladioli should be ])lantecl 

 about four to five inches deep, even six inches 

 in light soils, and the corms should be 

 at least nine inches apart to allow for the develop- 

 ment of the leaves and flower spikes. 



The prinnilinus hylirids are not quite so robust 

 in growth, and may lie planted closer and nearer 

 the front of borders and slirid)beries. Some of the 

 newer varieties, however, that have inherited the 

 yellow colour of the " Maid of the Mist " {G. pii- 

 tauVinus) are of handsome proportions, and quite 

 as fine as the forms of (Tandncensis or Leiiiuhiei. 

 It has been customary in the past to speak of. a.ul 

 to recognise certain garden races of Gladioli, such 

 as ChUdsii. Gciidavetisis. Xanceinnas. and 

 Leiaaiiiei. but the tendency now is to blend them 

 all, so that it is hardly po-ssibly to distinguish the 

 original races. This is all to the good, and has 

 resulted already in great improvements in form, 

 colour, and constitution. The evolution of the 

 Gladiolus as a garden plant is proceeding apace, 

 and every year sees the production of new and 

 improved .sorts, and we now have thousands 

 of beautiful varieties. 



It is quite impossible to give anything purport- 

 ing to be a list of the best. Intending planters 

 nuist considt a good catalogue and select the 

 colours most preferred. The Gladiolus is a plant 

 for everybody, and adorns the villa garden equall,-' 

 well with the large iniblic park. 



The nurserymen and seedsmen advertising in 

 this .lournal can supply all the best varieties. 



B. 



