FLOWERS FOR HIGH MOUNTAINS 209 



morning glories, including scarlet, blue and purple flowered varieties, 

 also Japanese morning glory and the moon flower. The seeds of the 

 above should be sown at the lower elevations by the middle of April, 

 and preferably two weeks earlier, in order to give the young plants a 

 good start before the beginning of the hot weather. 



Of the above, asters and cosmos are the most desirable for cut 

 flowers, while for color and display, zinnias, globe amaranths, and 

 four-o'clocks rank among the first. Asters, summer chrysanthemums, 

 golden feather, cosmos, castor beans, and the morning glories 'are 

 least resistant to drought and should be watered twice a week during 

 the drier parts of the summer; the others are robust, deep-rooting 

 plants succeeding with ordinary care, i. e., irrigation once a week or 

 thereabouts. Morning glories are very much at home and may be 

 sown any time from April to August. As herbaceous climbers they 

 have few equals. They range from low bloomers with scarlet or sky- 

 blue flowers to the tall-climbing moonflower. There are at least six 

 native morning glories in Arizona in addition to the introduced ones 

 mentioned. Balsam apple is a rapid growing, neat-appearing vine of 

 the gourd family with delicate green leaves and orange fruits. The 

 castor bean, like other rapacious growers and heavy feeders requires 

 deep, rich soil and frequent irrigation. 



Among the hardier of the rather few perennial summer and fall 

 bloomers that grow successfully at the lower altitudes, are cannas, 

 chrysanthemums, yellow, white, orange, and rose-colored lantanas, 

 madeira vine, the native golden columbine, white and fairy lilies 

 (Zephyranthes), and the so-called crown imperial (Crinum amabile), 

 besides asparagus and lavender. Cannas are among the plants par 

 excellence for display. Without fail, they should be re-set each year 

 in early spring. Together with chrysanthemums and the crown im- 

 perial, cannas require good culture and frequent irrigation, otherwise 

 it were best not to try to grow such plants. Columbines succeed only 

 with partial shade and abundant moisture, while asparagus and laven- 

 der are among the hardiest of the list. When once established, fairy 

 lilies need no further attention, and altogether are very satisfactory 

 plants. Their lily-like flowers appear from June to October. Lan- 

 tanas are unexcelled for southwestern planting, being continuous and 

 profuse bloomers, though they should be cut back and given some 

 protection during the winter season. The above perennials should be 

 set out in the early spring the earlier the better. 



Varieties for Growing at Higher Altitudes. Between altitudes of 

 3500 and 5000 feet, in Arizona and California also, where the lower 

 winter temperatures approach zero, the hardy annuals are sown to best 

 advantage in early spring, i. e., after severe freezing weather is over, 

 while tenderer varieties should not be sown until danger from frost 



