Guide to Better Gardening— Flowers 



For borders or window boxes try combinations of A geratum, 

 Dwarf Marigold, Nasturtium, Petunias, and Verbena. 



directly in the garden in July or August and given some 

 protective mulch over winter, pansies will give a pro- 

 fusion of bloom from early spring through midsummer. 

 Planted direct in early spring, pansies will bloom freely 

 from midsummer until freezing temperatures. Best in 

 rich, cool soil and needs plenty of moisture. Can stand 

 partial shade. Wide range of intense shades and two- 

 tones. Excellent for use as cut flowers in bouquets, for 

 low edgings or in window or porch boxes. 



PETUNIA. Over most of the country may be started 

 outdoors when frost danger is over. Scatter seeds over 

 prepared soil. Firm by pressing down with foot. Thin 

 seedlings before they get crowded. Soil should be kept 

 moist while seedlings are growing. Mature plants bloom 

 best in dry, sunny locations. 



Where summers are short, start indoors in shallow 

 box in mid-spring. Transplant outdoors, 14-24 inches 

 apart, when frost danger is over. 



PINKS (Dianthus). Can be started in cold frames 

 and transplanted or seeded direct anytime in late spring 

 or summer as plants grow very quickly. Produces its 

 best blooms in early fall weather. Sow }/^ inch deep in 

 fine soil. Thin to 10 inches apart. Fragrant and quite 

 showy but not especially useful for cutting. Used to 

 achieve mass color effects — in beddings, good for me- 

 dium height (10 to 24 inches) borders and in rock gar- 

 dens. Color range includes: shades of pink, white, red 

 and maroon. 



POPPY. Can be seeded direct as early in the spring as 

 ground can be worked or in the late fall. Broadcast the 

 seed and plan to allow plants to stand where they start 

 as poppies do not stand transplanting well. It is best 

 to mix seed with sand before planting to avoid sowing 

 too thickly. Thin plants to 10 inches apart when 3 

 inches tall. Poor or sandy soil and little or no extra 

 watering produces best profusion of bloom. Can be cut 

 in the bud but full open flowers usually shatter when 

 cut. Color range includes white, shades of pink and red. 



PORTULACA. Seeds should be planted in late fall or 

 early spring. Sow by broadcasting or in very shallow 

 rows (no deeper than ]/\q inch). Space rows about 14 



inches apart. Thin to 9 inches apart in the row. Water- 

 ing is not necessary. Stands hot weather and drought. 

 Needs full sun. Good for solid beds or as an edging 

 plant. Average height is 6 inches. Not good for cutting 

 but is extremely floriferous and showy. High percentage 

 of double and semi-double flowers in delightfully gay 

 shades of red, rose, orange, white and yellow. 



SNAPDRAGON. One of the best flowers for all-around 

 use. The long sturdy spikes are excellent for cutting; 

 when planted close they are good for bedding. Because 

 of its wide range of colors and long blooming season, it 

 is used very effectively in the annual border. 



Can be planted early in cold frames indoors and set 

 out after danger of freezing is past. Or, it can be sown 

 when soil warms sufficiently, directly in the garden 

 where plants are to remain. Should not be watered on 

 the foliage, but does require considerable soaking. Does 

 best in rich soil. Snapdragons are a favorite of cut 

 worms and if this insect is present in your garden, you 

 should guard against them by using some cut worm 

 bait at time of setting plants in the garden. 



SWEET PEA. For winter bloom in California and the 

 deep South, sow seed in the fall. In the rest of the 

 country, sow seed as early in the spring as the ground 

 can be worked. Whenever possible, select a location 

 where the Sweet Peas will get morning and forenoon 

 sun, and very little in the afternoon. The rows should 

 not be too close to a building nor shaded by over- 

 hanging trees. In a proper location the flowering season 

 will be longer and the stems more satisfactory. Sweet 

 Peas should be planted in soil that is fine, firm, level 

 and moist. Sow seeds about 1 inch apart and 1 to 

 \}/2 inches deep. When sweet pea plants are about 

 three inches high, twigs should be set around them to 

 which the young tendrils may cling. The growth of the 

 plants will be checked if allowed to be blown around by 

 the wind. When the plants are about six inches tall, 

 permanent support should be given with coarse netting, 

 broad tree boughs with plenty of twigs or by driving in 

 stout stakes and stretching strong strings between them 

 as the plants require support. Flowers should not be 

 allowed to wither on the vines but should continually 

 be cut off. This will greatly prolong the blooming sea- 

 son. A thorough soaking once a week, and later twice a 

 week is much better than a little sprinkle every day. 

 The delicate, beautifully waved flowers are always in 

 great demand for bouquets. One of the most beautiful 

 vine plants. 



ZINNIA. One of the easiest to grow annuals. Sow 

 seed in a sunny location where plants are to stand. 

 Cover seed with \i. inch of rich soil. Will do best if 



started after soil warms and will surpass plants started 

 in cold soil. Likes considerable water but do not sprinkle 

 the foliage. Plant in open, sunny place to prevent 

 mildew. Taller plants with longer stems can be 

 grown by spacing plants 3 to 5 inches apart. If spaced 

 at 18 inches or more, the plants tend to remain shorter 

 and have more branches but shorter stems. The first, 

 or crown flower, will be the largest. If this is cut out 

 early, it will force the blooms on side branches to be- 

 come larger. Zinnias come in an extensive range of 

 striking colors and types. The Giant types (2^ ft.) 

 come in all shades of pink, scarlet, yellow and violet. 

 The Lilliputs or dwarf types (12 to 15 inches) come in 

 pleasing shades of yellow, crimson, orange, purple, scar- 

 let, white and mixed. Widely used for cut flowers, in 

 bouquets. The Giant types are effective when used for 

 high edgings or borders. 



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