mm 



GROWING TUBEROUS REGONIAS 

 FROM SEED 



IVEN though a hundred of the tubers cost thirty dollars,^ 

 ■\ve may grow hundreds of them from a dollar packet of 

 ^seed. And you will find it the easiest thing imaginable to 

 grow your own tuberous Begonias from seed ; it is so simple and 

 the results so certain and satisfactory, and you will have them 

 a-blooming in j'our garden almost as soon as if you had planted 

 the tubers, for you know the tubers usually form in about two 

 months after the seed is sown. 



Plan for small groups of them in the foreground all through 

 the perennial border where they will lend an unusual interest and- 

 freshness, and as they grow but a foot tall, and are very distin- 

 guished, only the finest plants should in turn border these Bego- 

 nias ; that is why the tufted pansy is so perfectly adapted for edg- 

 ing or carpeting them. 



Personally I am very partial to the great, tliick petaled 

 single tuberous Begonias, although I also grow many of the 

 double type that resemble the gardenia and camellia. Their 

 almost transluscent stems of pale jade-like gTeen hold triumph- 

 antly the gorgeous flowers erect and with such a suggestion of 

 formal dignity and pride. 



As to the colors, the range is rather a wide one. The scarlet 

 and crimson double tuberous Begonias are very like waxy camel- 

 lias in size and form, while the pure white double is readily mis- 

 taken for a gardenia. The single variety is an amazing flower 

 when well grown ; its petals are of such substance one might think 

 they were padded with cotton between their waxlike surface. 



I love the buff, pink and white for gTowing in small formal 

 beds througli violas, while in well-spaced groups in the hardy 

 border, the scarlet, crimson and deep gold ones are striking, 

 particularly with masses of dwarf delphinium, chinensis blue and 

 the white as a background foil. 



Small, choice flower-beds of them may be carpeted with^ 

 tufted pansies (Viola corunta) through which the tuberous 



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