20 
Flower Planting Guide for the South 
CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 
/''AUR annual flowers have come to us 
from many different parts of the 
world. Naturally the original wild stocks 
from which they have been derived were 
developed under many different clima¬ 
tic conditions. In consequence we find 
among them varieties requiring warm 
weather in which to develop to their full 
beauty, and, on the other hand, sorts 
that do best at comparatively low tem¬ 
perature and will even stand several de¬ 
grees of frost uninjured. Since annuals 
require a rather short space of time in 
which to grow and bloom from seed, and 
since the all-year-round climate of the 
state presents many differences, it is 
possible to grow nearly all annuals to 
perfection provided 
they are fitted into 
and grown during a 
time when the cli¬ 
matic conditions suit 
them. 
Since Florida with 
its great extent 
north and south pre¬ 
sents very different 
conditions, we have 
divided the state for 
purposes of discus¬ 
sion into two sec¬ 
tions. (See map, in¬ 
side front cover.) 
The line of division 
between the two 
areas, northern and 
southern, can at best 
be only arbitrary 
and approximate. 
Even from year to 
year there may be 
variations. This line 
extends from Day¬ 
tona rather irregu¬ 
larly across the state 
to the Gulf. North 
of it the number of 
annuals that can be 
grown to perfection 
is limited, while south of it the number 
may be greatly increased. For all parts 
of Florida there are certain plants, as 
pansies, calendulas, California poppies, 
and sweet peas, which may be grown 
only during the winter and early spring 
months. With the coming of hot weath¬ 
er they die out. On the other hand, in 
the northern sections of the state there 
are certain flowers, as zinnias, mari¬ 
golds, asters, and sunflowers, which may 
be grown only in summer. In the south¬ 
ern sections, where winter temperatures 
are high enough, annuals of this same 
class may be grown and flowered in 
winter. Again, there is another group, 
the seeds of which are to be sown in au¬ 
tumn and allowed to grow through the 
winter, forming good plants, usually 
with rosettes of leaves. With the com¬ 
ing of spring they break into bloom and 
die out in early summer. In this class 
are to be placed as examples, snapdrag¬ 
ons, larkspurs, etc. By growing annuals 
belonging to all three groups, continuous 
bloom throughout the year may be had. 
Besides there are some plants which, 
though usually classed as annuals, under 
favorable conditions grow on from year 
to year. Pinks, carnations, verbenas, 
and ageratum often behave in this way. 
Others, as phlox, 
gaillardias, and calli- 
opsis, often reseed 
themselves and run 
wild. 
With what has 
just been said as a 
basis, two lists of 
our flower seeds 
can be made: one of 
these s h o ul d be 
sown in autumn and 
winter for winter 
and spring flower¬ 
ing, and the second 
in spring and sum¬ 
mer for the summer 
garden. 
SOWING SEEDS 
Some seeds are 
best sown where thq 
plants are to grow, 
either because the 
seeds are large or 
because the young 
plants are difficult 
to transplant. This 
is the best way to 
handle such things 
as sunflowers, sweet 
peas, lupins, nastur¬ 
tiums, California poppies, and gaillar¬ 
dias. Others are best started by sowing 
in flat boxes or pots or in beds from 
which they are transplanted, and still 
others may be handled either way. 
Peat Moss and sand or woods-mold 
and sand are excellent materials with 
which to fill boxes or pots for sowing 
seeds. Frames or special beds or places 
in the garden may be prepared with the 
same materials. Peat Moss needs to be 
pulverized thoroughly and mixed with 
coarse sand, half and half. If woods- 
mold is to be used, remove the top rough 
FLOWER SEEDS TO BE SOWN 
IN 
AUTUMN AND WINTER 
Ageratum 
A-lyssum 
Helichrysum 
Bachelor’s Button Larkspur 
Baby’s Breath 
Lupin 
Blue Lace Flower Mignonette 
Candytuft 
Nasturtium 
Calendula 
Pansy 
Calliopsis 
Phlox Drummondi 
California Poppy 
Petunia 
Carnation 
Salvia 
Cynoglossum 
Salpiglossis 
Daisy, African 
Scabiosa 
Daisy, Shasta 
Statice 
Dianthus 
Stocks 
Gaillardia 
Snapdragon 
Gerbera 
Sweet Pea 
Godetia 
Verbena 
FLOWER SEEDS TO BE SOWN 
IN 
SPRING AND SUMMER 
Aster 
Nasturtium 
Double Balsam 
Petunia 
Cosmos 
Phlox 
Gerbera 
Portulaca 
Marigold 
Scabiosa 
Morning-Glory 
Verbena 
Sunflower 
Zinnia 
