Guide to Better Gardening — Flowers 



HOLLYHOCK. Does best if used as a biennial. Sow 

 seed in late spring or summer in well prepared soil. 

 Plant seed to a depth of about ^ inch. Cover (mulch) 

 with a thin layer of straw over winter. Should bloom 

 early the second summer. Provide support if plants are 

 exposed to strong winds. Suffers from rust. Main in- 

 sect pest is red spider. Control by using light applica- 

 tions of sulphur dust. Useful for background or at back 

 of tall borders. Color range complete except for blue. 

 Fully double flower types are most compact. 



LARKSPUR. One of the hardy annuals that can be 

 planted in the late fall or very early in the spring. 

 Either broadcast seed and rake it in or else plant to 

 depth of ^8 inch in fairly rich heavy soil. Plants can 

 stand quite close together (3 to 4 inches) or can be 

 spaced out to 10 to 12 inches. Prefers cool weather and 

 plenty of moisture. Good for cutting and for tall bor- 

 ders or medium backgrounds. Wide range of colors. 



MARIGOLD. This does well under conditions which 

 are favorable for zinnias and it should be handled the 

 same way. Marigolds can be roughly divided into 3 

 groups; the African varieties, growing two feet or more 

 in height, the small-flowered dwarf French kind, and 

 the tall, small-flowered French type. Grown for cut 

 flowers and used effectively in high edgings or borders 

 (2 to 3 ft.) and dwarf edgings (8 to 14 in.). Color range is 

 mostly in yellows, orange and red. 



Petunias are one of the easiest of all flowers to grow. 

 They will add color to your garden until frost. 



Dress up the sidewalks, driveways and other approaches 

 to your home with colorful, free-blooming flower borders. 



MORNING GLORY. After danger of frost is past, 

 sow seed in Y% inch OI ^ ne soil along a fence or by a 

 trellis. Plants should stand about 3 or 4 inches apart 

 to make a solid mat of growth for cover. Rich soil and 

 some watering will contribute to faster and taller 

 growth. Reducing the amount of water will induce 

 greater freedom of bloom. To make a shorter and heav- 

 ier mat of growth, cut off growing tips of vines at a 

 height of 3 or 4 ft. and allow side shoots or laterals to 

 grow. One of the most popular vines. 



NASTURTIUM. Plant seed directly outdoors after 

 soil becomes warm. Lush growth occurs if soil is too 

 rich or watering too heavy. Blooms most profusely if 

 grown in rather poor soil and kept quite dry. Plant seed 

 3^2 inch deep and press soil down. Make rows 2 ft. 

 apart for dwarf, 43^ ft. for trailing type. Thin plants 

 to 8 inches apart when 2 inches tall. Black aphis is the 

 most common pest on nasturtiums and it can be best 

 controlled by applications of nicotine sprays or else the 

 newer Parathion. Fragrant. Good for cut flowers, bou- 

 quets, mass color effects in the garden or for trailing. 



PANSY. Can be planted directly outdoors in the gar- 

 den or indoors for transplanting to the garden later. 

 If indoors, sow in cold frames during the winter or early 

 spring. Cover seed J^6 inch deep in fine soil. Thin out 

 seedlings when about 1 inch tall to 3 inches apart. 

 Transplant to the outside garden in fairly warm spring 

 weather and place plants about 6 inches apart. If seeded 



