IT’S TIME FOR... 
(Continued from front page) 
we really pulverize the soil in which they 
are placed, adding plenty of bonemeal. 
At this point we quote from our Septem- 
ber 1950 issue: ‘In this area bulbs fall 
culturally into two classes — those from 
colder climates accustomed to frozen 
ground and plenty of water throughout 
the year, and those from South Africa or 
the Mediterranean which greatly prefer 
drying out in the summer or at least extra 
good drainage. It is the second group to 
which we wish especially to call your at- 
tention. 
“ANEMONES and RANUNCULUS we 
all know (but how many of us use them 
to maximum effect both for cutting and 
garden display!), as well as LEUCOJUM 
(Snowflake), bulbous (Dutch), IRIS and 
MUSCARI (Grape Hyacinth). But few of 
us are familiar with the possibilities of 
GLADIOLUS TRISTIS, an excellent long- 
stemmed cut flower for March and April, 
in pale yellow, cream and almost white. 
TRITONIA CROCATA is a brilliant flame 
flower of vivid delicacy. One of the eas- 
iest and gaudiest of the South Africans is 
SPARAXIS, predominantly coral and 
orange with almost-black markings.’ An- 
other excellent cutting flower for late 
spring is ORNITHOGALUM ARABICUM 
(Star of Bethlehem)]—two feet stems sur- 
mounted by handsome black-eyed white 
blossoms in April, and then there is also 
the beautiful WATSONIA with three to 
five foot stalks of pink, white or rose. 
In all our preparation for winter and 
spring let's not forget to keep up our 
MULCHING AND WATERING through 
the hottest, dryest season—our favorite 
mulch is still the same—equal parts of 
Georgia peat, Humisite, and steer manure; 
and let's not forget also that October 
will bring cooler, longer nights and a 
great new rush of bloom on some of our 
cooler- loving plants—IF WE FEED AND 
WATER AND PRUNE PRESERVINGLY 
NOW. Thin out all Roses and cut them 
back slightly and treat them to a third 
of a cuptul of Ammonium PHOSPHATE 
or at least a cuptul of Rose Food or Gro- 
rite or Vigoro—or something, practically 
anything with high nitrogen AND high 
phosphoric acid content; then cover over 
with the above mulch and water deep at 
least every day. Cut back also Lantana 
and Geraniums and give them a little of 
the attention recommended for Roses. Oc- 
tober could be a second May! Bre Gs 
Rhyme in Season 
| always speak quite gingerly 
Except of plants that injure me, 
But poison ivy, poison oak 
Are not my idea of a joke. 
Those little plants that bite your finger 
Those stings get stingier while they linger, 
There's nothing worse, you must admit, 
Than to sense a cactus where you sit! 
If you are gardening for fun, 
Wear gloves until the job is done; 
For plants which make you burst with pride, 
Will turn from Jekyl into Hyde. 
Hugh Cvans 
For color and show plant Hibiscus; but 
place these fine things in a protected spot, 
for they dislike wind and strong drafts. 
Up against a sunny wall Hibiscus will bloom 
over a much longer period than will a Rho- 
dodendron for instance; as a matter of 
fact there are few flowering shrubs which 
show so much pomp and glory in the sum- 
mer and autumn as Hibiscus. Plant them 
properly, not too deep, in well drained 
soil. Feed them during the spring and 
summer (proper feeding will produce good 
foliage as well as bloom), and these plants 
will delight you with such a pageant as to 
attract universal admiration. 
Cxrank, 
Have you ever noticed how in the 
older quarters of every town and city the 
old Hibiscus bushes make such a grand 
display of life and color? Too often these 
shrubs have been planted in cold areas 
visited by sharp frosts. It is always an in- 
justice to any plant to put it in an area or 
situation which is wholly unsuitable and un- 
friendly. Hibiscus will bloom for over six 
months and in a warm winter well into 
January. What more can you expect of 
any plant? 
A very distinguished English amateur 
gardner, who spent some time with us 
visiting gardens, was especially taken with 
the pure white fragrant H. Waimea. We 
gave him several to take back with him, 
and in a letter | received from him the 
other day he related that he has made 
a present of one to Queen Elizabeth! 
