GARDENING

Flower Garden.

Agapanthus (African lily), an attractive plant flowering in late Summer ( July and August ) The plants to obtain are called Headbourne Hybrids and are all hardy, Whereas the larger, A africanus generally requires wintering under cover. The Headbourne Hybrids have quite small strap- shaped green leaves, but throw up stems to 75cm bearing t their tops heads of blue trumpet- shaped flowers about 5cm long, they like as warm a position as you can give them and full sunlight but they are very tolerant about soil.
CHRYSANTHEMUM
For late autumn (October) we have chrysanthemums. The Korean chrysanthemums are excellent for the border, these bear daisy like flowers, usually some of red in colour, and are completely trouble-free. The little Pompon Chrysanthemums are needed in autumn (early October) and are now available in pastel shades, which are preferable to the rather dull colours, which they used to be.
ORIENTAL POPPY
A third perennial to plant is Papaver orientalis (the oriental poppy) which also likes the sun and flowers at about the same time, it is available in pink, white, scarlet or crimson flower shades.

LUPINS
Lupins produce tiers of pea-like flowers above decorative leaves and are available in a wide range of colours of white, pink, yellow, red and lavender-blue, and are often bi-coloured.
If you remove the old flower-heads as they fade, you will encourage a second season of blooming.