FLOWER GARDEN

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21244, 14 January 1939, Page 13

FLOWER GARDEN

CATANANCHE CCERULEA . The varieties of Catananche ccerulea, which are a great improvement on the type, provide charming .plants for the herbaceous border and useful flowers for indoor decoration. The varieties Major, with lavender-coloured flowers, and Perry’s White have large flowers, 2 Inches in diameter, and carried on 2 feet or longer stems. The flowers are cornflower-like in appearance, and the long, thin, stems make for each in their arrangement in vases. The involucre is scaly, and the florets, all of which are strap-shaped, have that stiff feeling associated with “everlastings.” C. coerulea is a hardy perennial, not particular as to soil if it is reasonably well drained. The plant produces seed freely, and this is an easy method of increasing the stock. The present is a good time for sowing, and a frame or outside border may be used; pricking out the seedlings as they get large enough, and planting them out into their flowering position during the autumn. It is unlikely that seeds of the varieties mentioned will produce plants quite true to type, but the plants may readily, be divided in the spring; or if larger numbers are required, root cuttings may be used. Suitable pieces of root can be obtained when the plants are dug up for dividing. Pieces of about li inches in length may be utilised. It makes for convenience of planting if the tops are cut transversely and the bottoms at an angle, to ensure that they are planted with the right end uppermost. Insert them an inch or two apart in boxes of sandy soil so that the tops are just under the surface. They will grow in a frame, but quicker results are obtained if they are placed in a warm greenhouse. If the cuttings are taken during autumn or winter, the resulting plants will flower m the following summer.