Shrubs for your Garden!

Shrubs for your Garden!

By Arun Pratap Singh

It is not the size of the plant that makes it either a tree or a shrub. Shrubs are usually differentiated from the trees by the fact that they lack a single trunk that the trees have. Like the trees, they can be deciduous, coniferous, or evergreen. Dwarf shrubs can be of height just half a foot to 3 feet while taller shrubs can have up to 15 to 18 ft of height. Shrubs play a vital role in turning a patch of ground into a garden. As a permanent framework around which showy annuals and perennials are interwoven year by year, they add interest and variety with their leaves, flowers, berries and sometimes brightly coloured bark. The flowering shrubs produce bundles of joy with the beautiful flowers, while the fragrant ones delight our noses. Shrubs are very popular amongst gardeners on account of their great diversity in colour of flowers, height, flowering seasons and ease in propagation. They are good substitutes to trees in smaller gardens. They are also used as hedges, as screens, focal points, and as mini trees. They enhance the beauty of any garden, big or small. Rose is the most common shrub grown in gardens throughout the world.

SELECTION OF SHRUBS

Homeowners must be aware of basic shrub characteristics to make wise selections. Each plant or plant group must serve a useful purpose to achieve a well-designed landscape. People usually select plants with bright flowers or unusual foliage. Only a limited number of unusual or accent plants can be used effectively in the landscape and their location must be skilfully planned. A complete landscape plan should be developed before the plants are purchased. Shrubs are selected on the basis of ultimate size, plant form, foliage characteristics, flower colour, season of bloom, and adaptation to the planting site. Knowledge of these characteristics allows the designer or home gardener to choose proper plant materials to create the desired landscape. Shrub growth habit is quite variable and can be categorized as broad spreading, spreading, globose, upright spreading, upright or columnar. Shrubs are evaluated by their adaptability to the environmental conditions of the landscape site. Environmental conditions include the amount of sunlight (full sun, partial shade, or shade) and tolerance to salt spray, particularly in coastal areas. Soil characteristics of the site may restrict shrub selection and some shrubs will only thrive if the sites are irrigated and fertilized regularly. Some shrubs tolerate poorly drained soils while others grow best in dry sandy soils.

FLOWERING SHRUBS

These shrubs produce flowers and are grown for the mass effect and carpeting purposes. They can give a spectacular look to any garden. Various shrubs flower at different times of the year and one may pick them in a way that there can be flowers almost any time of the year. When deciding what type of shrub to plant, the answer depends on what you need in your landscape. Rounded shrubs like boxwood and holly work really well for borders. Vertical shrubs, such as Hollywood juniper, work in front of windowless walls (You wouldn’t want a tall shrub in front of a window). Arching shrubs, such as butterfly bush, can stand alone by themselves.Some common flowering shrubs in North India and especially in Uttarakhand are Hibiscus rosa sinensis (Gurhal), Hibiscus mutabilis, Achania malavaviscus (Hibiscus like red flowers which do not open), Brunfelsia hopeana (Commonly called Francisea with Light violet changing to lavender and then to white on fading), Gardenia, Ixora Parviflora (very beautiful terminally clustered flowers in red, pink, orange. white and yellow ( Flowers in hot season, not suitable for the hills and often dies during winter in Doon), Pentas (red, pink, violet or white flowers throughout the year), Jatropha podagrica, Lagerstroemia indica (Commonly called Sawani and flowers in summer and monsoon), Plumbago capensis (purple flowers round the year), Nerium indicum (Called Kaner), Poinsettia pulcherrima (Red, pink or cream white bracts). Commonly called Christmas plant as it flowers during Christmas time and continues to flower till March. Jasminum sambac (Motia and the double one is called Mogra), Tabernaemontana (Chandani), Camellia japonica, Azalea, Hamelia patens, Nyctathes arbortristis (Night Jasmine of Haar Shringar), Forsythia spp, Buddleia, Calliandra (Powder Puff), Thungbergia, Beloperone (Dwarf shrub flowering all round the year), Cestrum (Raat ki Rani), Justicia (Round the year flowering) and Thevatia peruviana (Yellow flowers, called Peela Kaner). In the hills, it is common to see Privet, Fuchsia, Azalea, Camellia, Keria Japonica, Lagerstroemia indica, Forsythia, Myrtle and Gardenia.Winter FoweringBarleria cristata, Calliendra spp, Plumbago rosea, Olea fragrans, Euphorbia pulchrrima, Poinsettia pulcherrima and Cassia alata are some of the winter flowering shrubs commonly grown here.For FragranceCestrum nocturnum (Raat ki Rani), Cestrum diaurnum (Din ka Raja), Jasminum sambac, Jasminum auriculatum, Olea fragrans, Camellia, Buddleia and Gardenia are some of the highly fragrant flowered shrubs commonly grown in Uttarakhand. For FoliageAcalypha, tricolour, Nandina domestica, Codium variegata (Commonly called Croton, not suitable for hills, take extra care during winter in Doon), Excoecaria bicolour, Euphorbia continifolia, Juniperus chinensis, Golden Duranta are some of the shrubs grown for their ornamental foliage. Shrubs for the hillsAcuba japonica, Keria japonica, Hydrangea, Azalea, Camellia, Buddleia davidii, Forsythia spectabils, Gardenia, Juniper, Nerium Oleander (All the above mentioned can be grown in Doon and Haldwani too), Fuchsia magellanica, Laburnum, Myrtus communis (Myrtle). Privet, Juniper, Spirea, Cherry.Specimen ShrubsThese shrubs are planted singly or in groups in the beds on the lawn to create a picturesque effect. They have elegant foliage and produce beautiful flowers. Bougainvillea, Hibiscus, Hamelia Patens, Thevatia peruviana, Lagerstroemia, Cassia artimisoides, Calliendra, and Crotons are some suitable shrubs for this purpose. For Borders and hedges For shrubbery border, an area of the garden devoted exclusively to shrubs is chosen. Formal hedges are chosen to secure privacy and provide partition. A lot of effort is required to maintain hedges. Duranta, Lawsonia (Mehandi), Lantana and Hibiscus are also used for border shrubbery or as hedges. In addition, Wild Rose is also commonly used for this purpose. In the hills, Gardenia and Azalea are commonly used as hedge plants.

PLANTING SHRUBS

Location: Some shrubs like Mussaenda, Azalea, Fuchsia, Gardenia, Pentas and Impatiens need partial shade. Others like Crotons and Mussaenda need protection from frost. Hibiscus, Poinsettia need full sun to grow. Taller shrubs should be planted as focal point while dwarf ones should be planted as border or along the beds.

Soil: Loamy garden soil with good drainage is best for most shrubs, but most of them can tolerate any kind of soil provided it has good drainage. The ground should be prepared at least 15 days prior to planting. Dig the pits at least two ft deep and two ft wide. Refill the pits with mixture of Garden soil, Coarse Sand, Cattle dung manure and leaf mould in equal proportions. Dust the mixture with Lindane dust to prevent damage by termites and other soil insects. Most shrubs can be planted in monsoon or spring months.

Pruning of Shrubs: Shrubs need pruning in order to be kept in shape as well to keep them flowering. Winter flowering shrubs are pruned at the end of the summer season while summer flowering shrubs are pruned at the end of winter season. All the superfluous growth, old or weak branches are best cut at the ground level or as low as possible.

GARDENING WITH CLIMBERS

By ARUN PRATAP SINGH

Climbers are as essential part of a garden as are the trees or shrubs. In fact, they deserve place even in a small garden as their growth is more vertical than horizontal. They add height, colour and texture to any garden and the flowering types particularly make great addition to any garden with a fence, trellis, wall or pergolas for them to clamber over.Climbers are a good way to cover walls and fences with flowers and foliage. But they aren't all demure clingers. Some are whopping great monsters as they spread so quickly spreading all over. In a small garden, one must make sure to choose the right type of the climber.Climbers are plants that either have some means of supporting themselves or need external support to reach greater heights for sunlight and air. They have either tendrils, curling leafstalks or adventitious roots which they use for support. The climbers that do not have any inbuilt system to support themselves are actually twiners from a botanist’s perspective. They just twine or coil around the support, even cover it and reach the top. In addition, some shrubs that climb are also called commonly called climbers.They add beauty, colour in a striking way or fragrance in gardens. They are also used to screen or decorate artificial structures like walls, pergolas, pillars, cascades, trellis or arbours and topiary, etc. Climbers from a gardener’s view are of two types, annual and perennial ones. Morning Glory, Sweet Pea, Nasturtium and Convolvulus are common annual types while Bignonia purpurea, Pyrostegia venusta (Also known as Bignonia venusta, incorrectly though), Allamanda, Ivy, Lonicera (Honey Suckle), Quisqualis indica (Rangoon Creeper), Bougainvillea are more common in Uttarakhand and other parts of North India. In the hills, Wisteria, Clematis, Clerodendron and Nasturtium, Ivy and Campsis are more common.

PLANTING THE CLIMBERS: Generally, Monsoon months are suitable for planting most plants and trees. With the exception of deciduous plants, almost everything can be planted during the spring and monsoon months. In the hills, however, it is better to plant during early monsoon because by September, it starts to get colder at nights, so the planting operation should be carried out by August end. Also it should be remembered that so many of the trees, shrubs or the climbers in the hills are deciduous and should be planted during the winter months when they are dormant. Soil: Most of the climbers prefer a soil having good drainage. For smaller shrubs or climbers, three ft wide pits and two ft deep pits should be dug up. The soil should be well mixed with 5 to 10 kgs of cattle dung manure, 30 gms of Sterilised Bone Meal, half kg of Neem Cake and 10 gms of some soil insecticide like Fenvalerate or Chlorpyriphos dust to check the attack of termites. This dusting must immediately be followed by watering to settle down the soil. If the soil is not having good drainage, then it is important to improve the soil by adding bulky organic matter and large amounts of coarse sand after digging the entire soil up to a depth of four to six ft. This is however not an easy operation.

SELECTION OF CLIMBERS

There are different situations in any garden like sunny, partial shade or shade. In addition, the purpose of planting the climber in any particular situation is also an important factor in deciding a suitable climber. For Sunny situations: Pyrostegia venusta (Orange flowers-Commonly called Bignonia Venusta), Bignonia purpurea, Quisqualis indica (Rangoon Creeper of Jhumka Bel-Flowers white changing to pink and then red), Antigonun leptopus (Coral Vine-Rose pink flowers), Adenocalyma (Pink, mauve or yellow), Bougainvillea sp., Campsis grandiflora (Orange), Allamanda sp.(Yellow flowers), Bauhinia sp. (Yellowish white) and Thunbergia. For Partial shade: Clerodendron splendens, (White flowers with red beads) Petrea volubilis (Purple wreath-purple flowers), Lonicera japonica (Honey Suckle-White flowers tinged with mauve), Tecomella capensis (Orange trumpet like flowers), Trachelospermum jasminoides (White star like flowers- Commonly called as Star jasmine), Asparagus plumosa, Ficus pumila, Hedera helix, Scindapsus aureus, Philodendron, Monstera deliciosa, Pothos (Money plant) and Synogonium spp. (Foliage Climbers).For Fragrance: Jasminum grandiflorum (Shahi Chameli-Fragrant White flowers), Jasmine officinale (Spanish jasmine), Trachelospermum jasminoides, Hiptage benghalensis (Madhavi lata), Clematis (many coloured flowers suitable for the Hills and Doon Valley only), Lonicera japonica (Honey Suckle), Stephanotis floribunda (White flowers suitable for hills, Wisteria sinensis (purple flowers- suitable for hills), Passiflora cerulea (Passion Flower-purple or red Flowers).Heavy Climbers: They produce luxuriant vegetative growth and grow vigorously. They cover a large area and are suitable for covering big walls or terraces. They are required to be pruned to keep them in bounds. The time and method of pruning varies from species to species. Some common heavy climbers are Antigonon leptopus (Coral vine), Bignonia magnifica, Beaumontia grandiflora (Nepal Trumpet- big bell shaped flowers in March- April) , Bougainvillea sp. Hiptage benghalensis, Quisqualis indica (Rangoon creeper), Jasminum spp., Wisteria sinensis, Pyrostegia venusta, Thungbergia grandiflora, and Clerodendron splendens.Light Climbers: They are such climbers that do not grow very vigorously and do not require regular or severe pruning. Some common ones are Allamanda spp., Asparagus plumosa, Bignonia purpurea, Gloriosa superba, Lonicera japonica, Clematis flammula. Tecomeria capensis.Deciduous Climbers: Deciduous climbers shed their leaves during winter. Some common ones are Antigonon leptopus, Campsis grandiflora, Campsis radicans, Cissus discolour, Clematis sp. Pyrostegia venusta, Jasminum officinale.Flowering in several flushes during the year: Adenocalymma allicea (pink Mauve or yellow flowers), Ipomea palmate (Railway creeper), Jacquemontia violacea (purple), Perugularia odoratissima, Rosa spp.(Climbing Rose), Thungbergia grandiflora, Vallaris heynelli and Trachelosprmum jasminoides.

CLIMBERS FOR THE HILLS: Aristolochia macrophylla, Caesalpinia sepiaria, Campsis grandiflora, Clematis flammula, Hedera helix, Lonicera, Trachelospermum Jasminoides, Rosa spp. Wisteria venusta, Stephanotis, Thungbergia alata. In the hills, it is common to see climbing roses too though they are the shrubs that climb. Their care is also similar to that of shrub roses. Climbers for pots: Bougainvillea, Thungbergia alata (Susan’s Black Eye), Gloriosa, Clitoria ternatea, Pothos, Philodendron, Syngonium, Ivy (Hedera) and Boston Ivy. In large pots, Alamanda, Clematis can also grow. Annual climbers can easily grow in large pots. Grapes are also grown in pots in some smaller gardens.Annual Climbers: They are seasonal plants and can be grown temporarily in the garden. Sweet Pea (Lathyrus), Trailing Nasturtium, Convolvulus, Ipomea lobata, and Clitoria ternatea are commonly grown annual climbers.Climbers for Indoors: Some shade loving climbers like Pothos (Money Plant), Philodendron, Monstera deliciosa, Asparagus can be easily grown in post and even kept indoors. Climbers For hedge: Clerodendron inerme and Bougainvillea make good hedges. Fruit Vines: Grapes can also be grown as climber in home gardens. In addition, seasonal vegetables like Cucumber may also be grown.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

After planting the climbers, it may become necessary to train in the first year to have the desired design or growth effect. After planting, regular watering, hoeing, and weeding are necessary to reduce the mortality rate.

Pruning: Deciduous climbers are usually pruned during winter months. While some are pruned in the rainy season, others are pruned just after the flowering. Beaumontia grandiflora and Congea tomentosa can stand severe pruning during the rains. Antigonon is quick growing and flowers for seven to eight months in a year. This should be pruned at least twice every year in March and then September. Thungbergia is pruned after flowering is over.Petrea volubilis does not like heavy pruning. Clerodendron splendens flowers in winter and should be pruned in July. Quisqualis indica requires thorough cleaning and regular pruning. It is pruned low during the winters. Clematis is pruned low during the rains. Allamanda should be pruned in spring just before the flowering season.

Bill soon to prevent non-agricultural use of farmland in Uttarakhand

Bill soon to prevent non-agricultural use of farmland
By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 13 Aug: Uttarakhand Government will soon bring a legislation to prevent non-agriculture activities on farmland. Sources added that a bill was being drafted in this regard. Sources added that the Chief Minister was unhappy over large scale conversion of land use from agriculture to commercial, industrial and residential purposes. At the directions of the State Government, no land use conversion is being allowed in the state by the concerned authorities. The State Government had already declared its intention that it would not encourage industrialisation on agriculture land in the state. It is learnt that the proposed bill under preparation would include a provision that agriculture land would not be made available for SEZs and other industrial purposes.Sources claimed that the draft bill might also include a provision that all agriculture land abandoned or left intestate would get vested with the Government. This provision, however, is likely to generate controversy. Sources claimed the Government felt that agriculture was chiefly carried out on small holdings and the government wished to ensure that it was not abandoned even in case of small holdings. According to a rough estimate, more than 30 percent of agricultural land in the hills was not being cultivated and was, therefore, prone to becoming infertile and faced danger of erosion as well. The State Government has already launched a drive to identify all such farms that have either been left intestate or had been abandoned. The sources also admitted that Government ostensibly wanted to ensure people did not leave their farms uncultivated. They would be required to either cultivate the land themselves or give it on contract to others to cultivate in case such a provision was included in the draft bill. They also admitted that Government was very seriously looking forward to contract farming as a way to encourage agricultural activity in the state. The proposed provision could be a way to justifying the contract farming that has so far generated mixed reaction.However, the bill was mainly aimed at preventing non-agriculture use of farm land and disallowing easy land use change of agricultural land. Sources informed that in Dehradun, alone, there had been more than 188 cases from April 2001 till March 2007 where land conversion was done by the MDDA of large plots. Most of the conversion was done from Agriculture to Commercial and the remaining was done from agriculture to mixed use or residential purposes. Uttarakhand has less than 12 percent cultivable land as more than 63 percent of its geographical area is covered by forest. There was an urgent need felt by the Administration to preserve the remaining agricultural land. Sources at the Chief Minister’s office claimed that Khanduri was very firm on not allowing any land use conversion for some time to come. All the district administrations have already been directed not to allow any land conversion at their levels. In fact, the MDDA was reportedly told in Doon to identify illegal constructions on farmland and demolish it.

Dashing Dahlias!

Dashing Dahlias!
By Arun Pratap Singh
Dahlia is one the most popular bulbous plants grown all over the world. It is one the top five flowering plants in the world. It is considered a must in any Indian garden as well. Height in Dahlia plants varies from 30 centimetres to 2.5 metres tall with flowers up to 45 centimetres across. Flower-heads range from tiny pompom-like balls to huge spider-like flowers. Dahlias are highly suitable for the climate that exists in most parts of Uttarakhand.Grouping of Dahlias: Dahlias are now grouped into 10 or more different groups according to the characteristics of their flower-heads. They are Giant (More than 25 cm), Large (20 - 25 cm), Medium (15 - 20 cm), Small (10 - 15 cm) and Miniature (less than 10 cm). There are several classes of Dahlia-Anemone: Anemone-flowered dahlias have fully double flower heads with one or more rings of flattened ray florets surrounding a dense group of upward-pointing, tubular florets that are longer than the disc florets of single-flowered dahlias.Semi Cactus and Cactus: Semi-cactus dahlias have fully double flower heads with pointed ray florets that are broader at their base than those of the cactus dahlia. They are re-curved for about one half their length toward the petal tips and are either straight or curl towards the centre. Cactus dahlias have fully double flower heads with long, pointed, narrow ray florets that are re-curved for over half their length. They are either straight or curl toward the centre of the blossom.Decorative: (Small, Medium, Large and Giant Decorative cultivars). Decorative dahlias have fully double flower-heads without a central disc. Ray florets are generally broad, flat or slightly incurved at their margins with blunt points. Sometimes they may be slightly twisted.Pompom: Ball and Pompom dahlias are similar. Ball dahlias have fully double, ball-shaped flower-heads with spirally Arranged ray florets incurved for more than half their length, and blunt or rounded at their tips. Pompom dahlias have a more spherical flower head with florets incurved for their whole length. Flower heads do not exceed 52 centimetres across.Collarette: Collerette dahlias have flower-heads with a yellow disc in the centre, an outer, single row of usually flat ray-florets (these may or may not overlap) and surrounding the central disc is an inner ring of shorter florets (the collar).But it is the Decorative, Cactus and Pompom which are most commonly grown in the home gardens, though it is common to see Collarette Dahlia, too, in Mussoorie and Nainital Gardens as a wild flower during the summers. Dahlias are highly suitable as cut flowers, as pot flowering plants and are also used as annual border plants.GROWING DAHLIASDahlias are tuberous-rooted plants. They may be grown in garden beds or in the containers. They may be planted as dormant or just-sprouting tubers or as rooted cuttings taken from tubers or the growing tips of the stem. Plants in leaf are preferable to tubers because they are often more vigorous. Tubers are usually planted in the hills and should be planted directly into the flower bed or border in April. Tubers may also be planted in Dehradun in March. For the home gardeners, it is better to plant rooted cuttings available in September from the nurseries. Soil and Location: The site should be in full sun for best results. However, they can also be planted in places which are partly sunny. Dahlias should be grown in a fertile, humus-rich (with lots of cattle dung manure or leaf mould) and well-drained soil. For the pots, a good soil mix would be two parts of good garden soil, one part of leaf mould or coco peat, one part of coarse sand and one part of well rotted cattle dung manure. To this mix add powdered Neem cake @ 25 gm per pot and half tea spoon of soil Agromin (a mixture of Micro- nutrients) or Multiplex. Dahlias do not like dry soil, so it should never be allowed to dry out completely. Pot grown dahlias should be planted carefully. Avoid disturbing the root ball and firm gently, leaving a small depression at the base of the stem. Water thoroughly immediately after. Plants that will reach a height of 1.2 to 1.5 metres are best planted 2 to 3 ft apart, while those growing to 90 to 120 centimetres are best positioned about 2 ft apart. Feeding: Dahlias are heavy feeders, and if flowers of superior quality are desired, the plants must be given a well-balanced supply of nutrients throughout the season. Top dressing the soil with leaf-mould or well rotted cattle dung manure will be beneficial. One part of Urea, two parts of Single Super Phosphate, one and half part of Muriate of Potash and a quarter part of Soil Agromin or multiplex mixed with two parts of powdered Neem Cake and one part of Sterilised Bone Meal is good Dahlia Mixture. This mixture can be fed @ one to two table spoons per plant as per the size of the plant. Alternatively, one can feed them with compound fertiliser mix like Poly Feed (Nagarjuna Fertilisers) or Nitrophoska (BASF) @ one to two tea spoons per plant. Newly planted cuttings should not be fed with this mixture till they establish themselves. Staking and General Care: Bedding dahlias requires no staking or disbudding; however, to encourage bushiness pinch out the grown tip, and remove dead and faded flowers. Tall growing Dahlias require staking. Stakes or canes can be inserted at planting time or when needed. Remove the growing tip when about 35 to 45 centimetres tall to encourage branching. If really large blooms are wanted, all but three to six flowering stems should be kept. To achieve high-quality flower-heads, remove the two pairs of buds developing in the leaf axils below the terminal bud. Remove the flowers as they fade.Propagation: Propagation is from seeds, tubers and cuttings. The terminal cuttings are taken from the stems or basal shoots of the plant in August and September and inserted into pots having coarse sand and peat after removing the lower leaves and dipping the cut end into a rooting hormone. Once they develop roots, they can be transplanted. Cover the cuttings with moist coco-peat and place in a location that receives morning sun. When shoots have grown to about 7 centimetres in height, they can be removed with a sharp knife cutting just below the lowest pair of recognizable leaves. Insert each singly in pots containing equal parts potting mix and coarse sand. Application of a rooting hormone will aid in root development. Rooting occurs best in a warm, humid area, and if cuttings are taken early plants should flower the first year.Pests: Dahlias are susceptible to aphids, red spider mites, some caterpillars and slugs. They can be subject to attack by powdery mildew, mosaic virus, tomato spotted wilt virus and to rotting of their tubers in storage. Spray Rogor and Malathion @ 2 ml each / per litre water to get rid of most pests. For Fungal problems, spray Mancozeb (Dithane M-45) @ 3gm/litre of water.SOME POPULAR CULTIVARS: Kenya Yellow, Kenya White, Kenya, White Nobby’s Light, Swami Vivekananda, Bhikku’s Vivekanand, Kelvin, Kelvin Red (all Giant Decorative), Prime Minister, Tenzing Norgay, Mangal Pandey, Black Out, Black Out Sports, Zail Singh, Bhikku’s Mother, Bhikku (Large and Medium Decorative), Hit Parade, My Love, Sonia, Ludwig Helfert (Cactus), Blush Willow, Night Willow, Yellow Gem, Natal and Anupam (Pompom).