UNUSUAL PERENNIALS 1 
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PLANTING PERENNIALS 
SEEDS: Some of these perennials are relatively easy to start from 
seeds while some require more exact conditions for germination. A num- 
ber of the plants under this grouping have very small seeds and in 
most cases the smaller seeds need the most careful tending. The small 
seed should germinate very readily under just the right conditions. How- 
ever, too hot weather or drying or crusting of the seedbed surface 
during the critical period when the seed is germinating and getting 
started can be very detrimental. We usually succeed with even the 
most difficult seeds of the lot (namely Anise Hyssop, Mountain Mint, 
Simpson's Honey Plant. Wild Asters, Purple Loosestrife, Wild Mar- 
joram) by following something like the following procedures: 
Prepare the seedbed in the fall. Then sow the seed on top of the 
ground either in last weeks before freezeup or anytime during the winter; 
so that the snow, rain and winter freezes will take the small seeds 
into the soil surface ready to start growing with the coming of spring. 
When planted, then sprinkle just a little straw or chaff over the seed- 
bed to help keep the surface from crusting and give some protection to 
the smali seedlings while getting started. Or the seed may be sown 
on a ‘prepared seedbed in the spring (the earlier the better). If 
planted at this time, rake the small seed to cover very lightly with 
soil then apply very little mulch to the surface. 
All the seeds we have listed under perennials may be planted by 
the above method (except as noted); although some would not necessar- 
ily require such careful treatment. Early spring is usually the best 
time for germinating seeds as that is when the weather is cool and 
less likely to dry out during germinating period. Of course the larger 
the seed the deeper it should be planted as Golden Honey plant should 
be planted up to 14 inch deep and Chapman Honey Plant 1% inch. 
Note the following variations: 
Wild Indigo seed is hard and only partial germination may occur at 
one time. Late fall or winter planting for the freezing to crack the hulls 
may result in better germination. 
Chapman Honey Plant (Echinops) may be planted most any time dur- 
ing the season when there is sufficient moisture for germination. 
Purple Loosestrife requires very moist conditions for germinatioon. 
We have some reports of success in naturalizing it when the seed was 
only scattered in wet places in early spring. 
PLANTS OF PERENNIALS~—Firm the plants well in moist soil in 
upright position, placing them as nearly as you can observe to the 
same depth from which they were dug. Watering the plants in is 
helpful and very necessary if the ground is dry. Plant promptly upon 
arrival. If fall planted they should be mulched for first winter. 
Annuals 
PHACELIA 
The fiddle neck phacelia (Phacelia tenacetifolia) is 
an annua] of easy culture and the flowers are covered 
with bees from morning till night. This plant is na- 
tive to California but has been widely cultivated in Eu- 
ropean gardens as a honey plant, also grown to some 
extent for forage. It reaches a height of about two 
feet, with blueish or pink flowers. A famous bee plant. 
Seed, per packet, 20c; postpaid. 
CALIFORNIA POPPY 
The California poppy is a familiar plant to those who 
have visited the West Coast in springtime. In the East 
it is grown as an annual. It reseeds freely and is eas- 
ily grown in gardens or naturalized in sunny situations. 
The bees visit the flowers in large numbers for pollen. 
It blooms over a long period. 
Seed, per packet, 15c; ounce, 60c; postpaid. 
GOLDEN CLEOME 
(Cleome lutea) 
Golden Cleome or Yellow Spider Flower makes a 
large growing ornamental in one season growth. 
Though native to a dry region (the Southwest), this 
