FLOWERS FOR SUMMER DAYS 
By JOHN V. WATKINS 
Associate Professor of Horticulture 
University of Florida 
First place among blossoms for the 
summer must be awarded to the zinnia. 
In the countless resplendent sorts that 
are offered in the seed catalogs today 
one will find types, sizes and colors that 
were unthought of a decade or two ago. 
Remarkable, too, is the fact that plants 
from seeds of separate colors will bloom 
quite true. For example, if the idea of 
a solid bed of glistening white Polar Bear 
appeals to you, you can be assured that 
practically all of the flowers will be very 
large, full-double and of a refreshing, 
shimmering white. Long an advocate of 
planting a complete edging or border of 
a single color or two complimentary colors 
for a striking effect, this gardener is al- 
ways confident that iki zinnia seeds, pur- 
chased from a reliable house for anne a 
plan, will not be disappointing. 
Catalogs from two seed houses, picked 
up at earnvilenth list thirteen separate and 
distinct colors in the class known as 
Dahlia-flowered. This class has long bee: 
the winners at the zinnia shows. 
The next class in order, California 
Giants, boasts a dozen colors to choose 
from, while the ever popular Lilliputs can 
be had in ten popular bright clear shades 
as well as in the much demanded Pastel 
Mixture. Many backyard gardeners, who 
find time or space for little Rak. swear by 
this pastel mixture of Lilliputs and will 
have a few plants of these each summer 
for cutting. 
I think we all too often overlook the 
novelties or lesser known species at the 
end of a seed list. A case in point here 
is illustrated by the extreme value (to 
Florida gardeners) of the little Mexican 
zinnia, (Zinnia angustifolia). The creep- 
ing, or sprawling, dwarf plants bear 
myriads of double and semi-double_ blos- 
soms in tones of yellow, bronze, and 
brown all through the hot weather. Val- 
uable as edging and for cutting as well, 
there’s a eal ead here for Pincite gar- 
deners who have not yet grown this spe- 
cies from south of the border. 
The Fantasy type was introduced some 
years ago, and from the beginning it has 
When interested in: 
Ligustrum, Pittosporum, Viburnum, 
River Privet, 
Armoor 
Cocos Plumosa Palms, 
Podocarpus. 
See 
L. B. MANN’S NURSERY 
Lake Monroe, Florida, 
Four miles West of Sanford 
CONTROL 
ROOT KNOT 
in 
Boxwood, Hibiscus, Gardenia 
and Others With 
Cold Smoke Root Knot Control 
It can be applied to growing planis. Every 
Nurseryman should quit thinking this or that 
and learn the truth, which is COLD SMOKE CAN 
AND WILL control root knot on growing plants. 
Learn the facts. Write 
COLD SMOKE PRODUCTS, 
Phone 6314 508 Brookhaven Drive 
Box 513 Orlando, Fla. 
BOYNTON NURSERIES, INC. 
JAMES D. STURROCK, President 
Office: 
400-408 South County Road 
Palm Beach, Florida 
Nurseries on U. S. 1 
HIBISCUS 
HEADQUARTERS 
For the Finest Grafted 
Varieties 
Boynton, Florida 
Also Many of the Better Ones 
That Thrive on Own Roots 
THOUSANDS 
To Choose From at 
RALPH RUHL’S 
SUB-TROPIC 
NURSERY 
501 South Dixie Highway 
U. S. No. 
SOUTH MIAMI 
