9 March, 1908.] Garden Notes. 173 



GARDEN NOTES. 



/. Cronin, Principal, School of Horticulture, Burnley. 



The Tecoma, 



Tecoma is a genus of evergreen and deciduous climbing plants and 

 shrubs, many of which are excellent subjects for the gardens of this State. 

 The tecoma is found native in many parts of the globe, several species 

 being indigenous to Australia. It is closely allied to Bignonia, a genus 

 containing some of the finest climbing plants in cultivation, and at present 

 many kinds are described in nurserymen's catalogues of plants as synony- 

 mous with Bignonia. The flowers of most of the species are produced 

 during summer and are a feature in many gardens. They are borne in 

 large bunches, the individual flowers being large and tubular in form, and 

 the colour of manv kinds bright orange or vellow. 



TECOMA RADICANS, VAR. MAJOR. 



The climbing kinds are useful in mixed shrubberies or borders and are 

 particularly efi^ective when trained on walls or fences. The usual plan 

 adopted is to treat the deciduous kinds as pillar plants and the larger 

 growing as plants to cover a trellis or to mingle with the growths of trees. 

 The shrubs are evergreen and although few in number are among the most 

 suitable for small garden borders. They are sufficiently hardy to endure 

 the conditions generally obtaining in cottage or villa gardens, and are 

 bright and effective for several weeks of summer. 



Florists have not effected much improvement with the tecoma, few 

 hybrids of value being noted. One of the best of these is Tecoma Smithii. 

 ;i variety raised in South Australia, and generally considered to be one 

 of the finest garden shrubs extant. 



