HARDY PLANTS THAT RESOW THEMSELVES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 631, 6 April 1929, Page 28

HARDY PLANTS THAT RESOW THEMSELVES

Some flowers give far less trouble , than others, and amateurs, whose time | for gardening is limited, ought cerj tainly to be made acquainted with j them. High in the order of merit we j must place the Californian poppy or eschscholtzia —a grey-leaved plant j with flowers in many charming colours i —orange, yellow, rose and salmon, i Once it is established in the garden jit rarely fails to sow itself freely; every year numerous seedlings come jup and they develop into first-rate | plants. The eschscholtzia is an au- | uual suitable for sowing in autumn. I and readers would do well to obtain i a packet of seeds and scatter them in j the sunniest position in the garden, j This plant thrives especially well in ! light soil.

i Violas are charming garden flowers, and no praise is too great for viola cornuta and its varieties in various shades of mauve aud purple; the blooms are smaller than those of the florists’ named varieties, but they are produced in great abundance. Selfsown seedlings in limited numbers can often be found at this time of year, and should be transplanted to where they are wanted. The old-fashioned pot marigold (calendula) sows Itself to such an extent as to become a nuisance, especially if it is of the old-fashioned, small-flowered variety. But there is uo excuse for growing this one nowadays, for the modern sorts have large blooms of rich colouring, and selfsown seedlings are welcome. Hardy annuals that often produce self-sown seedlings are larkspur, candytuft, Shirley poppy, opium poppy and godetia. Take care of them, for | they will develop into splendid plants i if they have room enough. ANSWER TO PUZZLED GARDENER Reader, Epsom, writes his home is invaded with fleas. What should he do? Answer: (1) It is very possible that the pests are breeding in the old fowlhouse, as suggested. If this is well closed in you may fumigate with sulphur, which will kill them out. (2) Sometimes they breed in the soil, but not so prevalent as in sand. (3) No, I don’t think you can trace them to the tomato or pumpkin vegetation. (4) Under the house is the most possible of the four places, and I should sprinkle insect powder there freely. In the house I would spray the carpets and settees with some effective insect-killer.