132 
HERBS 
By Eleanor Chalfin 
THE OLD FASHIONED WHEEL HERB 
GARDEN 
Fall gardening fever can not compare with 
the high enthusiasm enjoyed in the spring, 
but there is always time and inclination to 
have a last fling if one is a real and earnest 
gardener. In either starting or enlarging an 
herb planting, a small project to excute in 
the autumn might be an old-timey wheel 
garden. This idea apparently has been very 
catching and will appeal to enough of our 
readers to warrant publication of practical 
suggestions for carrying out this novel ar- 
rangement. ; 
The Wheel Herb Bed 
Select a sturdy wagon wheel and cut out 
alternate spokes. This allows plenty of 
space tor the herb plantings. Paint the 
wheel a rfeutral color such as dark green or 
gray. Please, do not use a harsh white as 
it is not at all appropriate and, to me, seems 
in poor taste. A black rim and hub is per- 
missible, however. If a wagon wheel is 
mot available, a ladder may be used to good 
effect. 
The Site for the Bed 
Choose a sunny, well drained spot and one 
that will harmonize with other surroundings. 
In other words, do not place it in the center 
of a grass plot, unless surrounded by con- 
ventional flower or herb beds. Near a cir- 
cular group of shrubbery is good landscap- 
ing. Prepare the soil, having marked out 
the size of the wheel, by deep digging, add 
some humus and quite a generous supply of 
lime. (Most all herbs are lime-hungry 
plants). Cut out a hole in the soil for the 
hub and rim of the wheel so it lies flush with 
the ground. A wheel placed on top of the 
soil level is allowable if extra earth is added, 
to make raised beds and frequent hoeing is 
applied during the summer months. Smooth 
the spaces between the spokes and it is ready 
for planting. 
The Herbs to Plant 
Decide first whether the plot is to contain 
culinary or decorative herb plants and select 
the varieties accordingly. In a confined space, 
it is wisest not to use both kinds. The 
most important point to remember is the size 
of the herbs when they are mature. They 
must be as equal in height as possible be- 
cause the general effect is greatly marred 
otherwise. Do not attempt to use any of the 
taller sorts as they will look ungainly with 
in the wheel. The lower the herbs the better, 
in fact. 
The creeping Thymes make the prettiest 
wheel. If only two kinds of low growing 
thyme are available, these may be put in 
alternate spaces. Four varieties are very 
effective as the different foliage shades will 
give tone and texture. In that case, repeat 
the types in opposite spaces in a diagonal 
manner. For the Seasoning Wheel, one 
might desire the following herbs: Winter 
Savory, Tarragon, Italian Parsley, Smallage 
(Wild Celery), Chives, Burnet, Sage, Garden 
Thyme and Mint. 
The mint roots must be confined or they 
will spread and choke out the other herbs; 
using an old license plate or metal strips, 
sink them beneath the two spokes around the 
mint. Shallots or Chervil may be planted a- 
Continued on Next Page 
NASTURTIUMS - OPHIOPOGON 
NASTURTIUM. (nas-TUR-ee-um) (Tropaeolum) Tropaeolaceae. (8 days) 
This is a much confused classification with Water Cress, Nasturtium officinale being 
the only listed species. The flowers listed in the trade and also commonly known as 
Nasturtiums belongs to the Tropaeolaceae Family, with the genus Tropaeolum being the 
only member. It has several species, including the Canary Bird Flower. The species 
major includes all the commonly grown Nasturtiums, both bush and climbing. : 
Grow them as tender annuals giving them a warm sunny position, planting seed direct 
to the soil. They also can be started in pots for setting outdoors when the weather is 
warm; they are tender and will stand no frost. They can be planted even in June here 
in Michigan. They are good for the Tulip beds, using the climber or tall type. 
SEMI-DOUBLE GLEAM: A very popular type, with double and semi-double flowers. 
The plants grow to 18” tall and are excellent for cutting Oz. 30¢; 1% lb. 80¢. 
—Crimson Glow. Deep glowing Olden OLANGeE..... ce eeeesesssesscsecsseeeeeseecesecsrenssers NAST-IC. 15¢ 
—Fire. All double bright scarlet............cccccsssssssssscsssesses . .NAST-I1F. 15¢ 
—Golden Gleam. A lovely golden yellow variety... ..NAST-iG. 15¢ 
--Indian Chief. A new double, sweet scented, dark leaves.. ..NAST-IN. 15¢ 
=—MOOT. ASEM I-GOUDIE yiClLlO WA a ertscsstsercctitrecercencysetsctheqesnaseaconee ais ..NAST-1M. 15¢ 
—Orange Gieam. One of the best orange varieties. ..NAST-1A. 15¢ 
—Salmon Gleam. Lovely and populav.............. . .NAST-15S. 15¢ 
—Scarlet Gleam. An excellent red variety.. ee -NAST-iL. 15¢ 
—Gleam Mixiure. Containes all the ccolors a NAST-1X. 15¢ 
GLOBE TYPE: Giant double flowers in all the colors; plants compact, 12” tall and ex- 
cellent in beds, etc. Oz. 30¢; 4 lb. 90¢. 
—Black Beauty. Deep scarlet flowers and very dark foliage... NAST-2B. 15¢ 
—-Delightfuls ( SOLt SaAlMmON=CErise yere.ccrersstcvasseceiccesveevareroesseecsseaveststeeee . NAST-2D. 15¢ 
—scarlet_Emperior.. ine SCarlet and ark LOMAS vrccssssccverrscersvccsscsesveeucsreeqeoeters NAST-2E. 15¢ 
—Golden Globe. One of the best golden yellowS.......c..ececseceesees .. NAST-2G. 15¢ 
—Golden Rose Emperor. Lovely rose color with dark leaves... NAST-2R. 15¢ 
—Mahogany Gem. Deep mahogany COLlOM..n.0....cccssssecessecceesesrereeeees .. NAST-2M. 15¢ 
=— scarlet Globes V eby PDODMlAar ry SCATICL Mitr, .snccsscteds ecuccteeutesconcebecceasssteoeexeseteutetescoteese NAST-2S. 15¢ 
—Globe Type Blend. Made up of Many Varieties.i...2 cc ccccccsssccesscenteceereeeeenee NAST-2X. 15¢ 
DWARF or TOM THUMB TYPE: These all have single flowers, the plants growing about 
12” tall. They will stand more neglect than the double type. 
—Empress of India. Velvety dark scarlet with dark leaves NAST-3E. 15¢ 
—-F altham Beauty. A rice Drilllant SCALrle bit issc.casscisccescscvrscctecctectecssuseasestersuccatsctacs NAST-3F. 15¢ 
—Fireball. Compact, dark leaves, bright scarlet fls well above foliage... NAST-3B. 154 
—King of the Tom Thumbs. Bright scarlet; dark leave.ooi....ceeeecesssceeecseceeee NAST-3K. 15¢ 
——KIngGurneodore. Darl: Teds (Carl TOMAS. ccs succcscussvssnssacetoteurestiersevsresceantemterente NAST-3T. 15¢ 
—Lady Bird. Lovely rich yellow, scarlet spotted; dark leaves.............:ccce NAST-3L. 15¢ 
—Ruby King.) Ruby-red) fowers:” dark LOMAS Cr iiccsecsesescassccescesccreostancrar svecesceohersece NAST-3R. 15¢ 
—Vesuvius. Brilliant salmon-rose; Gark CAVES. ..........ciccccsscsssscseesssvesccesscssscescooncenes NAST-3V. 15¢ 
—Single Mixed. Contains many fine varieties; all single flowers................ NAST-3X. 15¢ 
TALL or CLIMBING TYPE: These will grow 3’; should have some support;Oz. 30¢......... 
—Chamelon:) Comes in (several blends OL > COLOTS. .i.ciscsscscsscoesessecesnoteesensesussesdeceesset NAST-4C. 15¢ 
—Dunnett’s Orange. One of the best orange varieties. ; 
—King Theodore. Dark foliage and dark red flower 
—Pearl. Lovely Cream WHIteh.. iicicccccccsnsciipseccconrens 3 4 
—Prince Henry. Lovely yellow With Tred Spots... cesssscsscescccecesssssssesssessesses NAST-4H. 15¢ 
==Von Moltke. A Toveliyc POsys DIUe aitesccseciestevseaviscossesonssvesnevicrtecscccecessseteesvoccscer putes NAST-4V. 15¢ 
—Tall’ Blend.” Made tip. Ofsmany iVAaLiGtles. consc.scc--<ctsudegsseccseesesecsveccecearccctectamccterccct NAST-4X. 15¢ 
OPHIOPOGON. (o0-fe-o-PO-gon) LILY TURF Lilaceae. 
Turf forming plants with racemes of small whitish flowers and grass-like leaves, oft- 
en striped and spotted with white or yellow. Useful for turf and border edgings that 
require no clipping. They are not extra hardy and in the North some are hardy up to 
Michigan. Grow in sun or shade. 
—Clarkei........... 
—intermedius. ..... 
ORNITHOGALUM. (or-nith-THOG-alum) Liliaceae. 
Bulbous plants with white, yellow or reddish fls in bracted racemes or corymbs. The 
tender species are grown in pots or in greenhouses. 
S—PYTENAIC UII ey CLOW LO WELSicascreiacantrceisanosecrcsevstaeetcaesttrcstccatesasisetoctuceoseentaerscetere ORNI-13(C). 30¢ 
OTHAKE: See Polypteria Hookeriana. 
PANSY. (Viola tricolor) Violaceae. (8 days) 
Pansies are best grown as a hardy annual or biennial, especially in the North. They 
do best in a rich sandy soil and not exposed to the hot winds; they stand some shade. 
Seed can be started indoors very early in the spring and the plants shifted to flats and 
grown on to some size in the frame where they can have shade and water or they can, 
be planted as late as the first of August and the seedlings after they have rooted in the 
flats from the first transplanting, they can then be set in their outdoor beds. Pansies 
are definitely cool weather plants and the hotter the winds and the sun, the less success, 
GIANT FLOWERING SWISS GIANTS: Large flowering Pansies in all colors and com- 
binations. They are very popular both for the home plantings and with the commer- 
cial growers who grow for the box trade. Write for prises in quantity. 
—~AIpenglow. A. large: SPlOWEred @ SCATIOU.. vicssscuscseverssvsesosctuvavessecsessocucsateeesesc¥ossecaisesce PANS-1A. 25¢ 
——BOPnae V CLVCLY; Cable DLUCH reseussscsssesrtatstsscsesevterssacesoeoviccseessateatiernameieert see tieen nee PANS-IB. 25¢ 
—Black King. Dark black, one of the few black floWeYs... cc eseeeeseeeseee PANS-1K. 25¢ 
—Blumlisalp, Soft rose with beautiful velvety blotch. escessceecessees PANS-I1L. 25¢ 
—-GlArets Amy CAUUNIT my Lil Cute CClar crecktecemetecerexecscavscsicsnsae A ssseeeereresestestitesieeeee eet tenes PANS-IC. 25¢ 
=——Flame.wA tlractlvVies Oran Per SCALICL, selec ccopicssscucsscrttese ences eet Tae PANS-IF. 25¢ 
—Mont Blanc. The best pure white... PANS-1W. 25¢ 
—Orange Sun. A new bright orange Variety.......cccceccesccssesseeee . PANS-IS. 25¢ 
—Rheingold. Deep golden yellow with dark blotch on lower 3 .. PANS-1R, 25¢ 
PANS-1V. 25¢ 
PANS-1U. 25¢ 
PANS-LY. 
—Swiss Giant Blend. Our best blend of varieties... Yq Oz. $1.25 PANS-1X. 208 
—W-F Swiss Giant Blend. A magnificent blend characterized by a predomi i 
velvety dark reds and browns together with uniformly poesunet pistes cae oe 
rounded flowers; California grown seed............ Yq Oz. $2.75; Oz. $9.00 PANS-1WX. 25¢ 
VARIOUS PANSY STRAINS: These are all large flowered types and o 
strains are listed. They include all types fe ee 
PANSY: Continued on Page 133 7 
OPHI-4. 30¢ 
OPHI-6. 30¢ 
PIONEER SEED COMPANY — DIMONDALE MICHIGAN 
