Some Perennials Easily Grown from Seed 



By Florence Spring, &£* 



THE SECRET OF HAVING PLENTY OF FLOWERS IN THE HARDY 

 BORDER, WITH A FEW SUGGESTIONS FOR STARTING INDOORS 



I 



The rose 

 pyrethrum 



WONDER if I can 



make you realize how 

 easy it is to raise so 

 many of the most 

 glorious perennials from 

 seed. It takes more time and 

 forethought than buying 

 plants, of course, but if one 

 gets into the way of planting 

 in two year instead of one 

 year periods, that need be no 

 obstacle. A very interesting 

 and also inexpensive way of 

 adding to one's perennials, 

 is by gathering a few seeds 

 as one strolls through a 

 friend's garden. Almost always, among 

 each person's floral treasures, are a few 

 things — possibly only one or two — which 

 do especially well. Beg a few of the ripened 

 seeds, and get a particularly choice and vig- 

 orous strain. Of course the early ripened 

 seeds are, in perennials, Nature's indication 

 of the proper time to plant. Therefore, 

 drop your newly acquired possessions into 

 the seedbed at once; the little plants will 

 get started well enough to make good growth, 

 and be all ready for transplanting in the 

 spring. 



But our present condition is a different 

 matter. It is seed sowing time, and there 

 is abundant opportunity now to accomplish 

 much this year even. Some people 

 prefer to start the seeds in the early spring 

 and there are many kinds that 

 will bloom the first season if 

 they are handled well. Iceland 

 poppies, delphinium, Marguerite 

 carnations, Shasta daisy and 

 many other perennials are 

 among the quick bloomers. 

 Others occupy the first year in 

 making growth, and we must 

 usually wait until the second for blossoms. 

 If one wishes to try for bloom the first 

 season, plant seeds in boxes in 

 the house now. Take shallow 

 "flats," fill as for the outdoor 

 planting with drainage and 

 sifted earth. It is well to bake the 

 earth thoroughly just before plant- 

 ing the seeds. This disposes of the 

 tremendous crop of weeds which 

 otherwise appear as by magic even 

 before the choice seeds start. 

 Plant sparsely in rows, "firming" the earth 

 after planting. Put some panes of glass 

 over the tops of the boxes, and if in a hurry, 

 set them behind the kitchen stove for three 

 or four days. It is marvelous how soon the 

 tiny plants appear, with such forcing. 

 Beware, however, of forgetting them! 

 I once raised a pot of lettuce plants 

 in this way, forgot to inspect them at 

 the critical time, and in less than a week 

 I had to dig up and throw away my first 

 crop, which had grown so fast and far 

 that the little plants had hit their heads 



against the glass, and were too "spindly" 

 to use! 



After the seeds sprout, remove the glass 

 and put in a sunny window: water with a 

 rubber bulb sprayer; thin out when nec- 

 essary, or transplant into other flats, an 

 inch or two apart; transplant into the 

 garden at the proper time. 



All transplanting should, however, be 

 done very carefully. Transplanting is a 

 shock at best, but it makes all the difference 

 in the world to the wellbeing of the little 

 seedling if it be done well or ill. Do the 

 transplanting, always, in the late afternoon, 

 or on a cloudy day; handle carefully and 

 water well; and always shade the little 

 plants in some way, during the first few 

 days of sun. We use flower pots, shingles, 

 little sprigs of leaves, or if the plants happen 

 to be in rows, two boards, resting on the 

 earth each side of the row, and slanting to 

 meet at the top. I have dwelt upon this 

 point, as it is of the greatest importance. 

 After one has raised a flourishing little 

 crop of choice varieties, it is discouraging 

 enough to see them dwindle and grow 

 sickly and perhaps finally die, from being 

 improperly transplanted and protected. 



If one, however, is starting many new 

 varieties of plants, more 



Chrysanthemum 

 coccineum 



Columbines in a variety of colors are useful in mixed 

 plantings 



21 



orthodox and regular 

 methods must be adopted. 

 I think the best way is to 

 start in flats in the open 

 air, giving one flat to each 

 variety. These little flats 

 are easily moved and cared 

 for, are economical of space, 

 and the work of weeding, 

 transplanting, and watering 

 not as backbreaking as when 

 they are planted in the regu- 

 lar seedbed. Put the flats in 

 a partially shaded place, put 

 in some drainage, and then 

 nearly fill with sifted earth. 

 Sow the seed broadcast, cover with a little 

 more sifted earth — the depth according 

 to size of seeds — and then "firm" the 

 surface with a piece of board. Cover the 

 boxes with mosquito netting, which assists 

 in protecting from the sun and too great 

 heat. Water through the netting, and do 

 not remove it until the little plants are well 

 started. Then transplant into rows in the 

 seed bed, and in the late fall or the next 

 spring, into permanent position. I think 

 it is better to locate the seedbed in a par- 

 tially shady place if possible. If not, set 

 stakes about a foot high at intervals, and 

 cover during the hottest part of the day 

 with a large piece of mosquito netting. 

 If the seeds are planted in late July or 

 early August they should be large enough 

 to be transplanted into permanent position, 

 if wished, by the middle of September. 

 Then if the season is a fairly late one, they 

 should have enough growing weather before 

 the hard frosts to become fairly well es- 

 tablished. 



There is always the question as to 

 whether fall or spring transplanting is best, 

 and there is something to be said on each 

 side. If in the fall, they are all ready to 

 start growing in the spring with no inter- 

 ruption; however, one does not always 

 know, in the autumn, where is 

 the best situation for the new 

 seedlings. Then, too, every 

 ' winter some things die and 

 leave spaces to be filled, and 

 invariably, in the spring, some 

 little, or great, changes are made 

 in the garden scheme. We have 

 adopted the plan of doing a little at 

 each season, which after all seems 

 to us most satisfactory. 

 Yet with all my seed sowing I do not 

 neglect to avail myself of the little plants of 

 Nature's sowing. Almost all the perennials 

 sow themselves, sometimes in thick carpets 

 under the parent plant, and sometimes in 

 separate individuals, which appear as if by 

 chance, in the most unlikely spots. Our 

 strawberry bed is a favorite settlement for 

 vagrants, and I often increase my own stock, 

 and help fill perennial beds started by 

 friends and neighbors, with little plants of 



