SELF-SOWN SEEDLINGS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22326, 28 July 1934, Page 7

SELF-SOWN SEEDLINGS

Among the many interests in the flower garden which develop during spring is that provided by self-sown seedlings. While watching anxiously, for example, for the germination of salpiglossis seed, a host ot tiny seed-leaves appear above ground. Their generous and timely growth is a source of much pleasure. Then a few days later, on going out to note their progress, it is discovered that the supposed salpiglossis have turned out to be a flourishing colony of love-in-a-mist. At first unkind things are said about the seedsman, then it is remembered that the progenitors of the unexpected plants occupied that patch of ground last year, and it is realised that Nature has put in a prior claim. Later on the salpiglossis appears, and lias either to be transplanted elsewhere or left to struggle for supremacy with the former occupants. The custom of sowing hardy annuals during late summer for the early production of blooms in the following year is a very common custom with gardeners. It is, indeed, an imitation of the natural method of producing solf-sown seedlings. These efforts to secure a perpetuation of species are deserving of special study, for they furnish much useful information. Among other things, a very definite knowledge of the requirements and habits of certain plants is acquired. This is not always yielded under artificial cultivation. In some gardens, especially in what are termed wild or naturalised areas, colonies of plants flourishing in self-selected sites put to shame their cultivated relatives, which may be in another portion of the same garden. . . ■An interesting example of the superiority of self-sown seedlings came to the writer’s notice a few years ago. Some seedlings of the Satin flower, Sisynnchium striatum, had sprung up in a chipped stone path adjoining a rockery where the original plants had been placed, and had ultimately died out. _ The plants in the path, finding a suitable medium, flourished far more abundantly thap their progenitors had done in the deep soil of the rockery In one garden a narrow, starved border against a house is filled with, flowering plants of the well-known honesty, which have developed entirely from self-sown seedlings. Previously various kinds of annuals were tried in this border, but without success owing to the dryness, and poverty of the soil, caused by the grossfeeding creepers against the wall. In this case Nature has clearly indicated what may be done with similarly derelict strips of soil. Bold masses of these glowing purple flowers are particularly effective, but any who may be tempted to reproduce this effect must' be warned that the decorative fruit-bearing branches should be cut and carried into the house before the seeds scatter. A careful examination of the self-sown seedlings that spring up will reveal the fact that it is not only the common garden annuals that appeal in this way. Many perennials also have a habit of reproducing themselves by this natural method. Even shrubs will contribute their quota of uninvited hut welcome guests. Healthy seedlings of genista and fine examples of the purple-flowered buddleia were among some of the writer s finds. The seeds of the buddleia were probably brought over from a neighbouring garden by a bird. Many agents are pressed into service in order to secure the continuity of the various races of plants, and among these birds are particularly active. Gardeners might well utilise this pronensity of Nature to their own advantage; they, can even assist its ends ing a few flower stalks to every clump of annuals for the purpose offsetting seeds. —H. G., in Amateur Gardening. ■