THE GARDEN.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 17894, 14 June 1920, Page 3

THE GARDEN.

FLOWER SEEDS. Among the remaining flower seeds catalogued by most seedsmen the only ones calling for remark from a small gardener’s point of view are Verbenas and Zinnias. The former grow quite readily from seed, flower the same season, are perennial, and j will grow in almost any kind of gar- ' den soil. Zinnias are annual and the seedlings need careful protection from the slugs. The flowers are brilliant but stiff. A bed of the giant flowered Zinnias make a glorious display in the late summer, but the flowers are not popular for cutting or decorative purposes. When sowing your flower seed make sure as to the heading under which they are catalogued. To fail to do this may result in loss. Then generally, the seed, or seedsman, is blamed when the sower should have blamed himself for his own negligence. HARDY ANNUALS. Hardy annuals are those which receive no artificial heat at. any period of their growth. Every stage of their growth may be passed in the open ground. Of all seeds they are the most easily cultivated. It you require a summer display ot these annuals you will sow the seed from August to November. If you want, them to bloom in the autumn sow the seed in December or January. The success of this sowing will depend a great deal on the generosity or mean- . ness of Jupiter Pluvius during these I months. Hardy annuals sown in February I or March bloom in the late spring. I Half hardy annuals are those I species that flower and ripen their seeds in the open air, but need the assistance of artificial heat if sown v? in the early spring. In November the seed may be planted in the open. 1 1 TENDER ANNUALS. • Tender annuals are generally j started in a greenhouse or in a frame. 1 These again may be planted in the 1 open late in the season, although it is much better to start such tender ; seed in boxes. Biennials do not 1 generally flower till the second year i from the sowing of the seed, and are | only in perfection one year and for i j a limited period. HERBACEOUS PLANTS. Perennials are herbaceous plants which die down during winter but spring up and produce new stems annually. If you desire to make beds or masses of showy varieties you may select from the following: Antirrhinums, Asters, Balsams, Gaillordia, Pansy, Nemesia, Phlox, Stocks, Verbenas or Zinnias. Plants that are ' suitable for a background through being large and showy may be chosen from the following: Hibiscus, “ Larkspur, Lavatera Salvia, Sunflower and Zinnias. Where you have permanent beds and borders, and are in a difficulty as to what to plant, you will not go far ] I wrong if you make a choice from the ; following sorts: Japanese Anemone, '■ Aqullegia, Delphinium, Gypsophila, j (perennial), Pyrethum, Phlox (per- - enuial), Paeony and Hollyhock. j HARDY PERENNIAL CREEPERS. ’ Those who are looking for hardy . perennial creepers have a limited choice, as the following about exhausts the list: Abobra, Virginian Creeper, Bigonia, Aristolochia, Cle- ' matis, Lathynis, Wistaria. Of these varieties it is preferable to obtain , ■ plants. There is a longer list of large climbing annuals, of which the y following are the pick: Canary Creeper, Cobaea, Dolichos, Mina Lobata, Nasturtium, and Passion Flower. These are easily grown from seed. Low climbing annuals include Sweet Peas, Maudandia, Thunbergia, [and Cypress Vine. i Those who admire beds of coloured foliage, but are at a loss as to the name, may be helped if I give the following list of foliage plants suitable for such work. They are: Amaranthus, Centaurea (white leaved), Coleus, Perilla and Pyrethrum Dureum. Plants that do well in partial shade are Anemones, Antirrhinum, Auricula, Aquilegia, Delphinium, Linum, Nemophila, Poppies, Pansy, Schizanthus and Violet. GERMINATION OF SEEDS. The average period of germination of seeds is from ten to fourteen days. Some seeds, however, will remain dormant for weeks and even months. Such seeds as Lathyrus Pubescens (Argentine Pea), Acacia, Tree Lucerne, Polyanthus, Pentste. mon, Aquilegia and Clematis are striking examples of this. To cause such seed as these to germinate readily it is necessary to place them in a cup of hot water, almost boiling, and allow them to steep for 24 [ _ hours before sowing. As soon as the " plants are up they will require careful attention and should be given as much air and such as possible. When sowing your seed sow thinly and do not sow the whole packet at once. Keep a portion for another sowing about a fortnight later. If you are determined to sow your . seed in the open do not sow till . the middle of September, except in , the case of hardy annuals. Again I ■ advise the use of shallow boxes, because these can be taken under cover in bad weather. The extra trouble is amply repaid by the results.