HOW TO PLANT .... FLOWERS 



YOUR GUIDE TO BETTER GARDENING 



AFRICAN DAISY. Annual that does well either direct 

 sown or transplanted. Blooms freely if grown under 

 dry conditions. This is a "sleeper." Flowers close up 

 when cut and they do not re-open. Plants short and 

 spreading. Good for borders or rock gardens. White, 

 buff and orange shades. 



AGERATUM. One of the best flowers for low, neat, 

 blue borders. Planting directions same as for Alyssum. 



ALYSSUM. After danger of frost is past, sow seed 

 direct where plants are to stand. Alyssum is very hardy 

 and may be transplanted to other parts of the gar- 

 den when plants are ready to thin. Cover seed with 

 }/8 inch of fine soil. When plants are about 2 inches tall, 

 thin to 6 to 8 inches apart. Does well in ordinary 

 garden soil and prefers full sunshine. Does not require 

 much watering. Alyssum is extremely fragrant and a 

 very easily grown annual. Among the best for edgings. 

 White (Carpet of Snow) and Violet offer a good con- 

 trast. Dwarf ageratum also goes well as alternate plants 

 with the white. 



ASTER. Can be started indoors in boxes or flats, out- 

 doors in cold frames or direct in the garden where plants 

 are to stand. 



Indoors — cover seeds with 3^ inch of fine soil. Keep 

 soil moist until seedlings appear and thereafter, water 

 only when dry. Transplant to the open garden in late 

 afternoon when ground becomes warm. 



Outdoors — sow seed after danger of frost is past, 

 where plants are to stand. Or, they can be started a 

 month earlier in cold frames for later setting in flower 

 beds. Thin out plants to stand 12 inches apart. Needs 

 fairly rich soil, moderate amount of watering and 

 stands only partial shade. Some aster diseases are 

 insect transferred. Careful control of thrips, leaf hop- 

 pers and aphis is necessary. Nicotine and D.D.T. sprays 



Curved lines and changes in elevation are pleasing to the 

 eye. Try them in your garden. 



Brighten up your front yard with colorful flower borders. 

 [Marigold, Serenade and Alyssum, Carpet of Snow) 



are recommended, though Malathion is effective against 

 all the insects that are harmful to this plant. To con- 

 trol Aster Wilt allow three years- between plantings of 

 Asters in the same bed. Malformed and discolored 

 plants should be pulled and burned or else covered in 

 the compost pile. Asters are widely grown for cut 

 flowers and are effective most any place in the garden. 

 A wide color range includes: white, pink, rose, lavender, 

 purple, and many others. 



BACHELOR BUTTON. Sow outdoors as soon as 

 danger of hard frost is over. Can be planted in spot 

 that is exposed to full sun or in semi-shade. Cover seed 

 3^ inch deep in fine soil. When 4 inches high, thin to 

 10 to 12 inches. Too rich soil and too frequent watering 

 will cause rank growth and late or sparse blooming. 

 Dainty flowers are excellent for cutting or use in in- 

 formal beds. Colors include rose, white, deep blue and 

 bright crimson. 



CALENDULA. Can be seeded directly in the garden 



in spring for blooming all summer. However, is at its 

 best if planted in midsummer so that plants will be in 

 full bloom during the cool months. Sow seed ^ inch 

 deep in rich heavy soil. Responds well to considerable 

 water and cool weather. Will stand partial shade. Main 

 insect pests are cabbage worms and aphis. Effective 

 when used to achieve a mass color effect in beds. Good 

 for medium high border (10 to 24 in.). Also grown for 

 cut flowers and use in bouquets. Very pleasing orange 

 and yellow shades. 



