DELPHINIUM OR PERENNIAL LARKSPUR

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 828, 23 November 1929, Page 30

DELPHINIUM OR PERENNIAL LARKSPUR

There is really no need tor us to i enlarge ui>on the merits of this charming perennial. with its majestic spikes I of bloom, embracing every conceiv- j J able shade of blue. As a garden do- i . coratiou. it is absolutely unsurpassed, either in the background of a border ; or adopted as a mass bedder. Almost any soil will suffice for its j ' culture, provided it has been deeply i dug and well matured. A sunny, open j position suits them best, and a week | or two after introducing the manure 1 to the soil a liberal application of lime : should be Incorporated with the bed. j Sweet, well drained ground, which j has been thoroughly worked, will pro- | duce the most commendable results. > and this noble plant is worthy of all j the preparation, care and attention I one can bestow upon it. The reward ! comes at flowering time. The various garden stores should i now he offering hardened-oil seedlings: j don’t, accept any others, and demand ■ the best strain offering. Await a suit-! able transplanting day—preferably j cool and cloudy—to make your pur-I chase. Prepare your bed to receive them j by levelling and smoothing the sur- j face, first with the teeth and then with the back of the rake. Remove all I stones and debris. Take your seedlings and set them i at least 18 inches apart, being careful j to see that the roots are well spread I out, and do not hang In the dibble j hole. Press the soil around each 1 seedling, being careful to see that the ' crown is not buried. Water thoroughly wi-th a flne-rose can or nozzle. A scattering of lime as a precautionary measure against the attacks of slugs completes the transplanting operation. Water copiously and keep the soil) loose and free from weed growth while the young plants are developing. When the plants show bud, a weekly application of liquid manure will materially improve both the size of the spikes and the colour of the blooms. Cut the flower stems away from the base as soon as their glory commences to wane. The plants should never be allowed to seed, which not only shortens their blooming period, but seriously afreets the quality of the blooms yet to be. Perhaps our readers may be desirous of trying their hand at raising the seed. If so, see to it that you obtain your supplies from a reliable source—and that the seed is absolutely fresli and of good quality. No other is worth bothering about. Sow in a warm sunny position, in finely sifted soil, made up of sand, leaf mould, and good ash. Drop the seeds In small drills running an inch or two apart, and plant sparingly, covering lightly with sifted soil. When the seedlings are sufficiently strong enough, prick out into boxes, placing them at least a couple of inches apart.. Grow them on until they are thoroughly established, and then await a favourable day for the final transplanting into the permanent beds. Introduce these glorious plants into your garden this spring, and you will possess a glorious and permanent feature for many years to come.