The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1909-03-20
FOR FLOWER LOVERS
Notes of Interest for Valley Gardeners
To The Herald:
By Austin Paul Smith

In a recent issue of The Herald,
was very interesting article deal
ing with the Eucalyptus and the pos
sibilities for its culture in the Lower
Rio Grande region. This article laid
particular stress on the sugar gum
Eucalyptus corynocalyxl as being
probably the hardest species grown
in this country. This is the para
graph that l am taking exception to;
for l know from personal experience
having seen great number of the
species growing in California. that
there are several kinds now in culti-
Walton within the United States, that
will stand lower temperature than
the sugar gum. Although this spe-
cies has weathered II degrees Fab
renheit in that state, this minimum
of temperature was reached after
succession of very cool days. Here,
it is doubtful if the tree could with
stand such a degree of cold; for
when We get 'norther" it is usually
after weeks of the best growing
weather, when the tender growth
is rampant But for this possibility,
it would no doubt be a good subject
However, l would prefer TO try the
swamp mahogany gum { E. robustra)
and E. saligna, which has no English
equivalent, because they both come
from the coastal plains region of
southern Australia. and are there
fore better suited to our alluvial
soil. than the sugar gum that grows
naturally in the higher lands. Both
the swamp mahogany gum, and E.
saligna, are tall growing trees; and
have known E. saligna to come
through freeze unframed that has
nipped the sugar gum. Undoubtedly,
the hardest species that has been
introduced so far into the United
States is eucalyptus gunnii. In Cal
ifornia it grows into a small tree us
ually scrubby near the coast. but up
right and slender in the back coun-
try IN the Australian mountains
it reaches a maximum development
at about 1000 feet altitude. and can
withstand snowstorms 1t is grown
In the open in parts of England and
Ireland; so there is no doubt but
what it can come through any cold
spell we might have here. E. gunnii
lacks the pungent odor of the euca-
lyptus group, which is no doubt the
reason that cattle and sheep will
browse On it. Seeds of at least fifty
species of eucalyptus can now be pur-
chased in this country, so that no ex-
cuse for not attempting the culture
of this valuable family of trees can
be sustained
In number of gardens in town
the Easter lily is blooming. 1t is a
very satisfactory plant to grow if
given ,congenial conditions; which
means that half-shaded nook
should be selected, and prepared soil
consisting largely of leaf-mold, or
decayed chips from the wood-pile be
used. There is another true lily
that will do fine here, the Philippine
lily (Lilium philippense), if the same
cultural directions be applied. 1t
comes from the high mountains
from which it takes its common
names; there growing among the
grass, much rs our little rain-lily
(Cooperia) does here. T. resembles
the Easter lily, except in that the
flowers are larger, and in blooming in
the summer in stead OF spring Out.
side of these two species there are
but few of this splendid genus. so
valuable for northern gardens. that
seem available for us. Bat let THIS
not worry the garden-lover, for
there are many worthy substitutes
among the Amaryllis and Iris tribes,
and of which | shall speak of an
other time.
Recently. information has been
sought of the writer to solve the
identity of that thistle-like plant
with white flowers of tissue paper
substance now appearing in great
number along the roadside and
in cleared spaces" 1t is a pop
Ply, by name, argemone platyceras. a
native plant, and really one to be
proud of. But unfortunately, in
Obeying law of nature and covering
itself with spines to protect it's very
existence, it has found some decry-
ers. Nevertheless, the lover of the
beautiful will continue to observe it;
and note now and then an individual
plant with flowers varying to pink.
These he will carefully record to
keep the location in mind, and when
the seed has ripened will gather it.
Then when the proper season has ar
rived, sow these seed, which in time
will produce bed of flowers that
will make your best neighbor en-
vious.
Reference to the poppy tribe re-
calls to mind a plant that l have Of
| ten seen growing on the dreary table
lands of northern Mexico, which when
in bloom. is a very cheering sight in
deed on these alkali plains that as a
usual thing, seem satisfied to sustain
growth of caeti and sagebrush alone.
Mexican tuiip-poppy (hunnemannia
fumariaefolia) is the name that has
been given to our subject. Growing
into brush form several feet in
height, it will bear yellow tulip
shaped bloom, during the greater
part of the year. The flower is very
! lasting, and the stem long, making
1t choice cut-flower. Being a pc
rennial it lasts several years, and
often grows from seed spontaneously
Before leaving the poppy group,
want to ask my readers if they have
ever heard of the militia poppy. To
such as have not, l want to explain
| that it is the most regal of popp S,
| n nj 0f ho <,f =