182 CALIFORNIA GARDEN FLOWERS 



satisfaction generally comes from transplanting from seed boxes. Bloom 

 will come the first season and many kinds hold over for a second year's 

 bloom, but they require cutting back or they become ragged and unsightly. 



Sweet William. This is a dianthus and is separated from the 

 "pinks" above because of its different style of foliage and bloom but the 

 plant is being improved so that the contrast seems less. The new sweet 

 williams bloom in a few months, instead of going over to the second season 

 and the bloom is much larger and more significantly marked. As they are 

 hardy they may be planted in the fall for spring bloom and in the spring 

 for fall and early winter bloom. It is more satisfactory to grow in boxes 

 for planting out than to start in the open, though that is possible, especially 

 with the spring start. 



Sunflowers. Sunflowers of the ornamental class are becoming 

 more popular even in a state where the native vegetation of the great 

 valleys during the summer is largely helianthus species. The new 

 varieties are very floriferous, widely different in stature and in style 

 of blossom,, 'but all, of course, yellow of the brightest hues. They are 

 serving ia good purpose for cutting for decoration as well as gilding 

 the vistas in large gardens. 



Verbenas. Verbenas spread over the ground rapidly in California, 

 endure considerable drouth, though less handsome thereby, and accept 

 all temperatures except in very frosty places. They do not, however, 

 forget their enjoyment of warmth and welcome the early summer 

 with their heaviest bloom if they have fairly good soil to do it with. 

 Plants are ready grown from cuttings, from running stems which sur- 

 face root themselves and from seed. A good planting of seedlings 

 from small pots makes the best foundation for a quick and uniform 

 mass effect. There are a number of notable, well marked color crea- 

 tions in verbenas offered. Personally we get most satisfaction from 

 a solid-colored, light purple which is very thrifty and contented in 

 full sunshine in rather a hot exposure and keeps up foliage and bloom 

 all winter also. 



Violets. Probably all the improved violets have found their way 

 to California and all find a congenial home and full appreciation. San 

 Francisco has almost a continuous supply of violets and the growers 

 have all the popular varieties. Violets will make good until growth 

 and bloom in the open air may be allowed to almost disappear toward 

 the end of the summer to revive with the first rains to a new season 

 of drouth and bloom. But it is not well to submit the plant to too 

 much stress. They should have water enough to keep in good life 

 during the dry season. Although they will accept rather a poor soil, 

 they ought to have at least moderate manuring, though excess induces 

 too much leaf growth. To get flowers early from active plants, the 

 runners should be removed. 



