The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1909-03-20

ShNlC 40 III tOC~ II ms H. IL
in the natural state on rocky hillsides
where no moisture is forthcoming
between the months of May and No
vember. So if we attempt the culti-
walton of the matilda poppy here in
the valley, We should try and gain
by this knowledge, and grow it on
an accumulation of brick and leaf
mold; and never irrigate it during
the summer and fall The scientific
name of the matilda poppy is rom
neya coulteri; the generic name in
honor of Dr. T. Romney Robinson, a
famous astronomer of last century
This poppy grows into a shrub ten,
and even to fifteen feet in height, bear
ing in midsummer huge white flow
ers, very suggestive of china saucers
in shape and color. and of diameter
exceeding six inches. These seed are
very difficult of termination often
requiring two years to sprout, so |
would advise the intending planter to
purchase the plants from some re-
liable nurseryman.
If any one is looking for good
shrub, they will make no miss in Sc
Letting the Grape myrtle (lagerstroe-
mia indica) for the purpose. This is
a very old plant in cultivation in the
South, but do not believe that it
has ever been equalled for the purpose
by any other plant. within that area.
1t flowers from spring until autumn,
and coming in pink, purple and white
shades, allows of variety. For group
ing, or as single specimen. it is
very satisfactory, and therefore,
should not be left out of any home
grounds planting list.
The number of kinds of vines that
can be grown here is legion. But as
with everything else a few will al
ways stand out conspicuous Two or
three of these leaders are already
great favorites here. This is espec-
tally true of the rosa de Montana
(Antogonon leptopus), an excellent
plant it is too, bearing large heart
shaped leaves and rose pink flowers
of one of the most exquisite shades to
be imagined. No vine is easier to
grow. for all that is necessary is to
procure few of the roots. which are
tuberous, and plant them in the
spring and keep we'll watered the
| spot they are growing in. By late
summer the result should be bower
or shaded porch of pink and green
Usually the old vines are cut away
during the resting season. which is
December and January here, and
then in February new growth will
begin vigorously. 1t is native of
Mexico. but at the present time. is
much more common in cultivation.
than wild. | have come across adobes
in the widest mountain regions of
that country. festooned with it when
the occupants were Indifferent to the
other beautiful growth about them.
such as fuchsias, begonias, and dah-
las
Bougainvillea glabra is climber
| that is grown in Brownsville plenti-
fully 1t seems to bear misuse better
than most plants, and northers do
not appear to affect it. 1t is a choice
subject for indoor decorations. and
the magenta-colored sprays combine
well with roses of all red shades.
propagation is effected by slips taken
after the warm weather has arrived,
seed being but scantily produced.
The plant belongs to the four-o clock
family, and halls from Brazil.
OF course, We all must grow honey
suckle of one kind or another, but the
variety known as Halls japanese. so
far surpasses the kindred spcies that
it is worth while to mention the fact.
And the Jasmine too, We must have,
SO two or three species are grown.
The plant called Confederate Jassa-
mine, is of another genus entirely,
and named trachelospermum jasmi-
| nodes. 1t came to us from China
| many years ago, and has found its
way into the hearts of all southern
born people. TIL enchanting fra
grange of the flowers will ALWAYS be
| remembered after once having been
inhaled. Blooming most abundantly
during April and May. it then needs
plenty of water; indeed at no time
should it be allowed to become
! thirsty
Now for vine. which | have not as
yet observed being grown in town
solanum wendlandii. Being a native
of Costa Rico, it is very tender. how
ever, it is of such vigorous growth
| that an occasional frost, such as we
get, will only tend to keep it from
preempting the whole garden. II
bears the finest flowers of blue
shade of any climber We can easily
cultivate. And grow,-just keen
sight of good sprout placed in en-
riched soil, for year At San Diego
California, it reached height of over
twenty feet in eight months. from a
small cutting, and was then blooming
! and the climate of that Pacific
coast city is little too cool for best
results. The flowers are borne in
punches a foot or more in diameter
and last all through the summer and
fall. Solanum. the genus to which
this species belong. is one Of the
largest in number of species in the
plant kingdom and counts at least
1000 species, which are best repre-
scented in tropical regions-our po-
tato being a member of it.
For a vine that will cling to stone
brick or even wood, unaided, try big
nonia tweediana. 1t is a trumpet.
vine with yellow flowers, from Ar
gentina, which ought to be proof OF
its adaptability here Ask your near
est nurseryman for it, when ordering
again
no Observation-Disclosures. ,~..oo:as- ~