Sweet Williams

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22628, 16 January 1937, Page 10 (Supplement)

Sweet Williams

New Season's Supply ** " ii i«i T hc old-fashioned sweet williams "ill make n splendid patch of rolour in the garden during the next few weeks, and it is time to think about the supply of plants for another season. The most popular method of- propagation is by seeds sown out of doors in October.

The soil should be worked up to a fine tilth, the seeds then being sown thinly hi drills at a distance of 12in. apart. When about two inches high, the seedlings may be transplanted at iive inches apart in linos ]2in. from each other. During late March or early April the plants may be transferred to where they are to bloom the following season. Lift carefully with plenty of soil around the roots and plant at .10 to loin, apart. Sweet williams prefer a sunny position and will thrive in any well-cultivated garden soil. A large percentage of tho modern strains of sweet williams will come true to colour and type when raised from seeds, and while a packet of mixed seeds may suffice for many gardens, the full beauty of sweet williams can only be realised when the plants are massed in beds, or grouped in a flower border in separate colours. If it is wished to increase any particular variety or colour by cuttings, the required number of shoots should be detached in January and inserted in sandy soil on a shady border. If a glass frame can be spared to put over them, so much the better. If kept moist they will root in a few weeks. Instead of beinu severed and used as cuttings, tho shoots may be pegged to the soil by means of bent wire. Cover the pegged portions with sifted soil and keep moist, then roots will soon be formed and the plants may be detached, and planted where they are to remain.

There are some brilliant kinds obtainable now in separate colours, among the best being Scarlet Beauty, salmon scarlet; Copper King, copper red; Nigricans or Dark Crimson (Crimson (lowers and very dark foliage); Holborn Glory, white ground with a distinct crimson zone; Diadem or Auricula-eyed, crimson flowers with a prominent white eye; Harlequin with several colours in the one flower, and (lore pleno, the double sweet william. These latter may be had in many colours, Hut although interesting are not as showy as the single flowers.