810 



HORTICULTURE 



December 14, 1912 



Perennial Scabiosas 



The annual scabiosa or Mourning Bride, especially its 

 new improved large-flowering strain, has during recent 

 years gained full recognition as an excellent plant ma- 

 terial for mixed border planting and for the formal 

 flower garden. Great variety in shades and tints and 

 a remarkable floral productiveness are chiefly responsible 

 for their general popularity among garden owners. 



That the hardy perennial sorts of scabiosas seem to 

 enjoy less of this popularity is by no means because of 

 lack of merit of this class. The flowering period of the 

 Blue Bonnets, the common name for Scabiosa japonica, 

 S. caucasica and as latest improvement, the large and 

 beautifully frilled Scabiosa caucasica perfecta, extends 

 away beyond that of the annuals. The noble size and 

 form of the individual flower of the blue bonnet is cap- 

 tivating at a glance. The wonderful soft clear azure 

 blue of the petals surrounding the yellowish green cen- 

 ter is another feature forcefully impressive. The stems 

 are long, stiff and very substantial and the flowers in a 

 cut state show admirable lasting quality. It is therefore 

 not in the least surprising that they are at present very 

 highly treasured by European designers, who class the 

 blooms of Scabiosa caucasica perfecta among the choicest 

 material for genuine artistic work. For them the ex- 

 quisite shade combining purity and rare delicacy de- 

 cides the issue. It is a color very beautiful by itself 

 and of wonderful effect when blended with pure white. 

 During the last two seasons I availed myself of the op- 

 portunity of introducing Scabiosa caucasica perfecta to 

 the society ladies of northern summer resorts, with whom 

 their flowers, from the very start, became outspoken 

 favorites. 



Perennial scabiosas can be easily raised from seed, 

 which can be sown in May in cold frames, or early in 

 January or February in light sandy soil under glass. 

 Indoor, a temperature from 50 to 60 degrees, pure air 

 and free exposure to sunlight are necessities. The seed 



Scabiosas caucasica. 



equals in size that of centaureas. For those of my read- 

 ers desiring to sow I advise to order at least one ounce to 

 start with. When planting out in the open ground I 

 always took care to give the soil surface around the 

 young plants a light mulching of clean short lawn clip- 

 pings. This mulch protects the tender roots from being 

 injured by excessive sunheat and helps to retain an even 

 moisture in the ground, until the plants have become 

 large enough to shade themselves. Perennial scabiosas, 

 when used in the garden, should be planted not further 

 apart than 10 inches and in sufficient numbers together 

 to give from the very start the desirable effect; from 25 

 to 50 being the minimum for this purpose. Late in the 

 fall I cut part of the tops down and protect the remain- 

 ing plants with a layer of leaves covered over with brush. 



-^icA/Qjui -^cM.^ 



Riverton, N. J. 



Fertilizers for Flowers 



Chrysanthemums 



The science and practice of manuring is a subject that 

 means a great deal to the florist in these days of keen 

 competition, for the art of feeding plants accurately is 

 one that requires sound judgment. If on the one hand the 

 plants are over-fed it may lead to serious results while if 

 they do not receive the necessary stimulant they require 

 they will not produce blooms to perfection. One mis- 

 take that is often made with regard to feeding chrys- 

 anthemums is neglecting the plants in the early stages 

 of growth and trying to make up for arrears by over- 

 feeding at the finish ; such work is always disappointing. 

 After the cuttings are well-rooted they should be repotted 

 into 5-inch pots in the following compost. Six parts of 

 maiden loam, one part of decayed manure ; after this has 

 been sifted add 1 lb. of fine bone meal and 1 lb. of soot 

 to every barrow load. 



Values of potash is that it makes plants resistant to 



fungoid diseases, thus being useful in checking rust, it 

 is also useful in dry seasons for it delays maturity. 

 During the growing season a sprinkling of lime over the 

 surface of each pot will prove beneficial. Superphos- 

 phate is also useful but must be used in rather small 

 quantities, say 14 oz. per 8-inch pot and three times its 

 bulk of soil should be mixed with it. Tliis is an excel- 

 lent thing for checking the growth of foliage and to im- 

 prove the color of the blooms. Where it is desired to 

 grow large blooms the plants should be well fed once a 

 fortnight with guano or fish manure at the rate of 2 oz. 

 per square yard and for a liquid manure if the plants 

 are watered with nitrate of potash and phosphate i/^ oz. 

 of each to 1 gallon of water, they should produce excel- 

 lent blooms. 



Ji. ^TWvUvu 



