THE ICELAND POPPIES

Evening Star, Issue 21820, 8 September 1934, Page 23

THE ICELAND POPPIES

REGENT INTRODUCTIONS NEW AI!T SHADES. Of tlic many varied types comprising the largo family of the poppies there is none more generally useful than that descended from the" Iceland pappy, Papaver nndicanlc, writes “ Petun.ia,” in the ‘ Marlborough Express.’ The original forms in orange, buff, yellow, and white shades have Jong been valued for decoration in beds and borders and in less disciplined places in the early summer, as well as for cutting, but it is only in the last few years, with the introduction of greatly improved strains offering new shades, that this charming race has had its merits recognised to the extent they deserve. All these modern strains, which we owe to the skill and patient efforts of raisers, both at home and abroad, are far ahead of the original species. Not only are they more vigorous in growth, but they possess longer stems and larger flowers. The colour range, too, has been greatly extended and the shades strengthened, and, in addition to the original yellow orange shades which still predominate in the older forms, now art colourings have been introduced, as well as some remarkably good pink shades. COONARA PINK. Perhaps one of the most attractive strains that have appeared in recent years is that known as Coonara Pink, which originated in Australia. When it was first introduced the plants for the most part came true to colour from seed, bur in the hands of a few seedsmen in England it has been further developed iu its colour range by continuous selection, and now embraces all gradations of pink, as well as apricot and biscuit shades and tones of old gokl, saffron, and lemon, so that, grown iu mixture, it affords a most charming blend of soft and delicate colourings. Improvement in vigour has gone hand in hand with the development of the colour range, and tho strain now known as Giant Coonara combines all the best qualities of the original Coonara Pink with the virtues of vigour of growth, length of stem, and larger size of flower. Besides the Coonara forms the Sunbeam is another good strong growing strain with large and richly coloured blossoms, while that called Tangerine, which was recently exhibited at the great Chelsea flower show, is now looked upon as the best of alt Iceland poppies of a rich orange shade. Grown in tho mass, it provides a perfectly gorgeous sheet of colouring ail through the early summer, and it can be trusted to do as well in open and sunny borders as in more mild and partially shady places, where it can well be left to seed itself. There is nothing difficult about the cultivation of tho race. A sowing of seed in March will provide flowering plants the same year, but the better way is to sow seed during September. A well-prepared seed bed outdoors is all that is necessary, but the careful gardener will probably prefer to sow in boxes of sandy loam and place these in a cold frame. It is sufficient, as the seed is tiny, to sow it on the surface of the compost and merely to give a dusting of lino soil and sand on top. The soil, either in a frame or in a seed bed outside, should never be allowed to dry out, and when the seedlings are large enough to handle they should be vigorously thinned to secure bushy and vigorous plants. Any average soil suits them perfectly, and they will afford a brilliant show in any open and sunny position. Picked in tho bud stage tho Mowers will last in water for many days, providing they are lirst_ plunged into boiling water and then into cold water.