330 



GARDENERS' CHROISICLE 



The period of simultaneous blooming' will usually be 

 brief in duration, but it is quite possible that there will 

 be an overlapping of bloom. Some fiowers have a long 

 blooming period anyway, and it is well for the beginner 

 to use such flowers to form the nucleus of the flower bed. 

 As a last e-xj)edient. it is advised that the gardener "take 

 a chance" and experiment with different kinds of flowers, 

 studying local conditions of soil and climate, until interest- 

 ing combinations of flowers have been worked out. In 



All /./;.i/ii( i oinliiiiation of Canterbury Bells, 

 and Diaiithus. 



S-a'eet I'Villiains 



mv own experience I have discovered that gardening is 

 somewhat of a lottery — combinations entirely satisfactory 

 one season are disappointing the next. And strange to 

 say. some of the most effective combinations have been 

 brought about entirely by accident. There are such varia- 

 tions in soil and climate throughout the country, that 

 what a])plies to one locality will not apjily to ancjther — 

 which recalls the old injunction: "Work out your own 

 salvation.'' 



Plowers with soft tones blend together very well. A 

 beautiful coniliination consists of Canterbury LJells (Cam- 

 panula media), or the less coarse Peach liell (C- pcrsici- 

 fofut). in the background, and then in order. Sweet Wil- 

 liam, Phlox ilnimiiunidii, with i'inks ( Piaiitlius) for a 

 border i)lant. I'crennial Phlox and Tall Snapdragon, 

 using similar colors, make a fine combination, both flowers 

 conn'ng into bloom about the same time. 



\\'hen the jjerennial border is mentioned one naturally 

 thinks of a border filled entirely with jierennials, but it 

 can be made more interesting by the addition r)f a few 

 annuals, which serve to fill up gaps during blooming 

 periods, to add variety, and to sujjply color in the fore- 

 ground. They shouUl be j^lanted in such a way as not 

 to leave a noticeable vacant space in the border when 

 through l)looming. The principle motive in establishing 

 a flower l:ed should be to keep it in bloom as long as 

 possiiilc, anrl aimuals are a very great aid in accom])lish- 

 ing this end. 



Perennial I )eli)hiniums. ranging in height from low 

 forms X(j tall kinds, are very useful in the flower border. 

 because of the striking inflorescence, and the almost 

 equally attractive foliage of many varieties. They never 



.■■eem to intrude upon other flowers. Pink Snapdragons 

 make a splendid showing when planted in front of Delphi- 

 niums. Yellow flowers also make a good showing grouj^ed 

 with Delphininms. 



Snapdragons might well be called a "buffer" plant 

 among other flowers, for, if the varieties intermediate in 

 size are used, they seem to harmonize with most flowers, 

 and are a material aid in extending the blooming season. 

 They are equally pleasing when massed together, bright 

 yellows being eliminated, or when interspersed amongst 

 other flowers. Clarkias can be combined successfully 

 with Snapdragons. 



.Single Petunias with \'erbenas make a happy combina- 

 tion, the colors of both usually blending well, neither 

 [ilant crowding out the other. \'erbenas bloom a long 

 time, make an effective ground cover, and make a colorful 

 showing in the immediate foreground of flower borders. 

 To prevent too straggly a growth they should not be 

 watered too much. Asters can be planted behind Ver- 

 benas, or can be interspersed amongst late-blooming' 

 perennials with similar colors; Clarkias look well with 

 Asters. 



Some perennials because of their long blooming periods 

 and blending qualities should be planted extensively in 

 flower beds. Among these should be included : Pentste- 

 mon, Sweet William, Columbine, and Shasta Daisy. The 

 Improved Scabiosa, sometimes called Mourning Bride. 

 with finely cut foliage, and with blooms having light or 

 deep shades of pink, red, lavender, purple, or pure white, 

 create a delightful efl'ect when interspersed here and there 

 in the flower garden. 



Zinnias and Salpiglo.ssis, to my notion, are best placed 

 in small groups by themselves, although quite effective 

 when occasionally used as "accent" plants among other 

 flowers. I have found it difficult to get Pot Marigolds 

 (Calendula ofHciiialis) to blend with ather flowers, al- 

 though especially effective, j^lanted in front of evergreens. 

 Coreopsis and Calliopsis should usually be planted in 

 small groups, with some white-flowered plant inserted 

 betweeit them and flowers of different color. Pine Corn- 

 flowers can be planted with Coreopsis. French and .\f- 

 rican Marigolds because of their decided colors should be 

 set apart from other flowers. 



The above combinations of flowers are merely su,g- 

 gestive. for manv more could be worked out. but an 

 attempt has been made to describe grou]iings of flowers- 

 whicli meet with ]iopiflar favor, and which are easy to 

 ^row. 



SPRAYING FROZEN PLANTS 



'X'C )l\ 1 1 1 .\( i on thi.s subject as mentioned on page 29li: 

 1 am imder ilie impression that the water mu.st be ab- 

 solutely ice cold, otherwise injury is aggravated, at least, 

 when the subjects are exposed to the open air. ( )n one 

 occasion I ventured out very early and siirinkled a num- 

 ber of cordon and bush apples and ]iears that were in full 

 bloom. The frost was so severe that I figiu'ed all the open 

 bloom was certainly ruined but 1 took a chance and drew 

 some water from ihc f.uicet. i'.elieve me. almost as soon 

 as the water touched the flowers the petals turnerl brown. 

 When the sun got u\i and the frost disappeared, the trei'S 

 looked as if they had l)een scorched by fire. 1 scrucely 

 had a fruit on any of the sijrinkled trees, and after that. I 

 Ici till' frost do its worst, preferring to remain in bed, 

 I'nur A. M. on a frosty morning lias no attraction for me 

 imless necessity calls for it. — T. A. W. 



I.et us have faith that right makes mi-bt. and. in that 

 faith, let us to the end dare to do our duty a> we under- 

 stand it. — .\liU.\II\M T.IVCOI.N. 



