SUMMER FLOWERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 November 1938, Page 8

SUMMER FLOWERS

ARE HERE AGAIN. HINTS FOR WOMEN GARDENERS. Although the choice of seeds for sowing now is somewhat limited, there is still sufficient variety to maintain a good supply of flowers for both garden and indoors. Given plenty of moisture, mulching, and free cultivation round the roots to conserve that moisture, the garden should be able to give a good account of itself during the heat of the summer. African marigolds-in their delightfLil shades, ranging from palest primrose to the deepest orange, provide brilliant splashes of colour. The plants are easily grown, and are strong and hardy. As they grow to a height of about three feet, and have a wide branching habit, give them plenty of room. Cosmos —the double variety particularly—are useful flowers for cutting, and are to be had in white, pink and crimson. These plants grow to a height of six feet, and, as they will grow almost anywhere, they are useful for filling up empty spaces where there is a lot of ground. The only trouble with cosmos is that if the plants are allowed to seed the seeds are blown all over the garden, and the plants keep coming up in hundreds. The singles should be pulled out when they are small, and only the doubles kept. The foliage of the double cosmos is easily distinguished from the single, as it is much coarser. Petunias are firm favourites, as they lend themselves to spectacular display if massed in separate colours. They should be allowed about 12 inches of space in rich, free soil and in a bright, sunny position. Give them plenty of water during the growing period, and the reward will be a glorious harvest of beautifully coloured blooms. They will stand any amount of heat, and will continue to bloom for a lengthy period. Cut back lightly after flowering. They will bear a second crop of flowers. When sowing petunia seed mix it with a little sand, and this will ensure it being distributed evenly. Salpiglossis—one of the most beautiful of annuals —has rich velvety petals in brilliant colours veined with gold. These plants do not transplant well, so the seed should be sown in the open beds. Do not let them become dry. The seed can be procured in separate colours of red, carmine, violet, yellow, magenta rose and purple red. Amaranthus —annual foliage plants with gorgeous colours of green and yellow, and crimson and gold—make ideal border plants. These plants do well in a warm situation in good soil. They need plenty of room and rich feeding, so apply liquid manure frequently during growth. This helps to deepen the colours of the leaves. There is a dwart variety about 18 inches high which is also useful for border work. These plants do well in pots for either house or conservatory. Sow the seed in clumps where the plants are to grow, and thin them out afterwards, leaving those which give promise of having good colour.