A SHOWY ANNUAL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XL, Issue 9, 29 February 1908, Page 36

A SHOWY ANNUAL.

(CLARKIA PULCHELLA PULCHERRIMA.) The Clarkias are not very numerous in species, but there are numerous varieties in gardens, differing in form of their Howers and colour, as well as being single or double. Dwarf varieties have also been selected and fixed. The accompanying illustration represents a very rich rose variety of C. Pulchella. The relationships may be found in the flowers, which have deeply three-lobed petals, thus giving them a very characteristic appearance. The plant is an annual like all the others, and grows about 18in. high. It is so hardy that it may be sown in

tin* open ground at the beginning of April to stand the winter and bloom in spring. If the plants are well thinned out and in a sunny, open situation, it is surprising what a length of time they keep producing fresh Howers on side shoots. It is one of those plants belonging to the Fuchsia family, and. like that, submits to being grown even in shady situations, provided those sites are not overhung by trees which keep the ground dry just during the period of growth when they require an abundance of moisture to enable them to make good growth and Hower well. The ground should be deeply dug or even trenched in winter, and when such is tue case no artificial watering will be necessary.