Guide to Better Gardening — Flowers 



CALIFORNIA POPPY. Sow seed, early in spring, 

 directly in the garden where plants are to stand. They 

 do best if planted in a light, sandy loam. Cover seed to 

 about ^ inch deep. Thin to 6 inches apart when plants 

 are 2 inches tall. Rows should be 1 ft. apart. Full sun 

 and dry soil make plants bloom most freely. Good for 

 borders or edgings. Mostly yellow tones. 



CANDYTUFT. Select a spot where there is full sun 

 and plant after all danger of frost is past. Cover seed 

 with }4: to }/s irich of fine soil. Thin to 1 ft. apart when 

 plants are 2 inches tall. Good bedder, edger and fair 

 for cutting. Main insect pest is cucumber beetle which 

 can be controlled with stomach poison such as arsenate 

 of lead. Colors are white, rose-red, lilac and purple. 



CANTERBURY BELL. Biennial, blooms second year 

 only. Can be planted up until mid-summer in sheltered 

 spot and then transplanted in late summer to final loca- 

 tion. Seed can be scattered on surface and raked in. 

 Choice for cutting and background plantings. Colors 

 are lavender, white, pink, light-blue and deep violet. 



CARNATION. Requires long season to reach full 

 bloom. Start indoors in boxes, early in spring. Does 

 best in rich soil and stands considerable watering. 

 Plant seed to a depth of about }/s inch. Transplant out- 

 doors when danger of frost is past. Set seedlings 

 about 1 ft. apart in sunny location. Will stand some 

 frost. Good for either bedding or for cutting garden. 

 Colors include red, rose, salmon, yellow, white. 



Cosmos is one of the best A nnuals for backgrounds and is 

 very useful for cutting. 



tnt 

 quets, 



urns are widely grown for cut flowers. In bou- 

 they add grace and charm to the indoor scene. 



COLUMBINE. Long-lived. Blooms from second year 

 on. Start seed in spring or summer. Give plants some 

 protection for first winter. Will stand some shade and 

 cool soil. Flowers very graceful for cutting and plants 

 make striking accents when used in groups of two or 

 three. Cut flower stems off at top of plants after 

 blooming is over and plants will remain compact and 

 attractive. Mostly pastel shades. May require some 

 arsenate dust for control of caterpillars, and D.D.T. 

 for leaf-miners. 



COSMOS. Does best if sown after danger of frost 

 where plants are to stand. Plant seed approximately 

 }4 inch deep. Thin to 14 inches apart. Early blooms 

 can be had by avoiding frequent watering — late blooms 

 by frequent watering. Will bloom most profusely if soil 

 is not overly rich. Cosmos is one of the best annuals 

 for backgrounds and is very useful in the cutting gar- 

 den. Has few insect enemies. Diseases seldom occur. 

 A favorite of the gold finch or wild canary after seeds 

 start to ripen. Colors include delightful shades of golden 

 or "butter yellow," golden orange, bright crimson, rose, 

 pink and white. 



DELPHINIUM. Plant early as delphinium germinates 

 best when soil temperature is quite low. Cover with 

 3/8 inch of fine soil. Needs good drainage. Thin seed- 

 lings to 18 inches apart in the row. If flower spikes are 

 tall, provide support. Prefers cool climate and full sun. 

 Will bloom some in first summer but second and third 

 seasons are best. Mildew is worst enemy. Effective 

 for a tall background in the garden. Widely grown for 

 cut flowers. Colors are white, blue, lavender, mauve. 



