248 CONFERENCE ON NATURAL BEAUTY 



Flower seeds give civic groups and children a way to participate 

 in the planting of scenic roads. The creation of beauty for the 

 enjoyment of others will surely sharpen one's own appreciation of it. 



Once a road is dedicated as a scenic route, many people will de- 

 sire to add to its inherent beauty. What better way could there be 

 than for highway landscape architects to designate certain areas for 

 the planting of flower seeds? 



Only a few flowers from seed are adapted to naturalizing. In- 

 cluded are: Annual Poppy, California Native Flower Mixtures, 

 California Poppy, Calliopsis and Coreopsis, Clarkia, Columbine (in 

 partially shaded areas and on rocky slopes), Cosmos, Gaillardia 

 (along the edges of woods bordering meadows), Hollyhock (along 

 fence rows) , Linaria, Lupin, Phlox, Shasta Daisy, and Sweet Alyssum. 



These are not "formal looking" flowers. They would blend into 

 the landscape as "naturally as a deer in a forest," to borrow a descrip- 

 tive phrase from a conference speaker. 



Most of the flowers listed set prodigious quantities of seeds. Cal- 

 liopsis, Coreopsis, and Cosmos seed heads are avidly sought by such 

 valued birds as goldfinches, chickadees, song sparrows, and meadow- 

 larks. The social birds attracted to the roadside by flower heads 

 filled with seeds would add the dimension of movement and song 

 to landscapes along scenic highways. 



Patches of flowers serve to slow traffic, to draw automobiles into 

 turnouts, and to draw passengers out into the fields. This is in 

 harmony with one of the purposes of scenic roads and parkways 

 to give citizens a pleasant environment for leisurely driving and 

 relaxation. 



Many civic groups, youth organizations and conservation clubs 

 have for years successfully planted seeds along highways and byways. 

 Fine stands of flowers have been reestablished where they had been 

 wiped out by erosion, overgrazing, or fire. 



Out of my experience with these groups, I would be happy to 

 offer (at no obligation) advice on establishing stands of roadside 

 flowers from seeds, including how to incorporate flower seeds into 

 grass seed mixtures for road cuts and shoulders that are not to 

 be mowed. I can also help you locate specialty seedsmen who offer 

 unusual seed-grown flowers for difficult soil or microclimate condi- 

 tions. 



