VOLUNTEER PLANTS 



By Mrs. G. T. Drennan. 



1^ EGARDLESS of riparian rights, stiffly disputed by 

 property holders and municipal authorities, volun- 

 teer plants, from self-sown seeds, have taken possession 

 of the Gulf coast, "some in rags, some in tags, and some 

 in velvet gowns." They have virtually established an 

 Experiment Station. One lesson they teach is that many 

 flowers considered delicate and requiring special care are 

 hardy. Some of them do as well, others much better, than 

 when grown from fresh, selected seeds and given the most 

 approved modes of culture under the best environment. 



The Shasta Daisy is a shining example. This is simply 

 Burbank's greatly improved form of the iron-clad type, 

 Chrysanthemum leucanthemum, the common ox-eye daisy, 

 one of the farmer's pests. It self-sows its seeds which the 

 Gulf breezes blow hither and yon. Seedling plants follow. 



The Transvaal or African daisy, introduced here since 

 the Boer war, has established itself in blazing orange- 

 yellow with the profusion it exhibits on its native veldt. 

 It has spread beyond the confines of culture everywhere, 

 from the gardens of its first occupancy. For brilliant dis- 

 play it exceeds any flower of equal delicacy I have ever 

 known and is fine for parks. 



The Gaillardia or blanket flower, conspicuous for its 

 broad rays of brownish-crimson and bright yellow, and 

 its velvety-purple cushion-like disk, has spread from self- 

 sown seed, naturalized itself and makes the coast gay with 

 its blossoms from spring till winter. 



