92 SCHOOL AND HOME GARDENS 



POPPIES 



Poppies are of two types, the annuals and the hardy 

 perennials. There are few flowers easier to grow and 

 none more useful for lighting up dark masses of shrub- 

 bery, mixed borders, or dull bits of landscape. They 

 vary in height from one to three feet, according to the 

 variety. The colors range from the purest white, through 

 the delicate shades of pale pink, rose, and carmine, to 

 the deepest crimson and blood red. Many of the blooms 

 are daintily edged and striped. 



The Iceland poppies are hardy perennials. They 

 flower well the first season and for years afterwards. 

 If the buds are picked just before blooming, and if the 

 seed pods of those allowed to blossom are removed, they 

 will continue to flower throughout the entire season. 



Sowing annuals. Annual poppies do not stand trans- 

 planting easily. As early in the spring as possible sow 

 the seeds where the plants are to stand; they are not 

 injured by frosts. Sow thinly, covering with a very little 

 fine soil, and press down gently with a board. The best 

 time for sowing is in cloudy weather or after a shower. 

 The plants will come up in a few days. After they are 

 well out of the ground, thin them to one inch apart. 

 When grown to a height of two or three inches, thin 

 to from four to eight inches apart, according to the 

 variety. 



Porch boxes. Annual poppies of the smaller varieties 

 make very pretty porch boxes. Sow the seeds in the 



