Pueblo chieftain., 1921-04-04

An article on flowers adapted to the
Colorado climate was published in the
old Field and Farm before it's suspen-
sion, and was so valuable that it was
preserved and is now offered. The title
was The Homestcader's Flower Gar
dem:
The one great requisite for home
comforts among our western settlers :s
the Improvement Of their dooryards
and garden spots. 1t is dicouraginS
for some people to try again but still
1t Is wholly within the line of possibil-
~. Tho first proposition among the
dry settlers is to choose n few things
that will grow without much moisture
For busy farmers wives who have little
time for work among the flowers tho
hardy perennials must be given first
choice.
First of all comes tho Iris or flag.
Few perennlals are more uniformly
successful on the plains and at con-
siderable altitude and prolonged heat
and drouth and will grow with little or
no irrigation. thrive in a variety OF
soils and even tolerate some alikili.
They succeed generally with tho most
ordinary caro-. BY virtue of their fleshy
rootstocks or bulbs wherein they store
up food they are able to tide over un-
favorable growing periods with thc
least attention. on account OF their
hardness, adaptability. and beauty
they should have a place in our western
flower gardens.
Many Of US think of irises as plants
requiring much soil moisture, because
We rooall having seen wild ones grow
ing in water. but this Is not altogether
true OF n large number of them, lnclud-
ing such forms as tho well-known
German iris, dwarf iris and Spanish
iris. Ciumps OF German irises have
continued growth for sereal years on
dry land with only scant rainfall and
the occasional flood water that collect
cd in tho basins cncircling them. or
course. such plants have not made the
best growth, but they havc blossomcd
annually.
Tho German ir1-ee will stand cold
and heat and tho Spanish and English
arletios are almost rs hardy.
The hollyhocks. which have now be-
come SO Improved that they are won
dorfully beautiful. will survive almost
arywhere IL given sufficient fcrtliz-
ing material and Il little culture The
-year-old roots can be purchased
at 4 very small price or tho secd can
leo sown in tho rows. These hollShochs
will make a fine screen to oxcudc the
poultry yards from view.
our dry hot summers arc hard on
poo-Ics. These plants require plenty
Of water and good drainage. Under
favorable conditions they should double
every two years, and IN addition fuf-
nish plants for as large an area AS they
have occupied Very often in this ell
mate without irrigation they require
four years to double, and then oitcn
tho roots sem to lack vigor. Tho u m
bcIatA Rosce IS very prolific and STANDS
all ihc vfciSsitudes OF this country. inc
Euuus Supcrha comes on in tirnc ior
d..lrytlon day. The Lamartino Is one
OF tho fragrant sorts that bloom IN
m.G-tason. Thero are other varieties
that will do well here.
The phloNcs Of thirty years ago have
been evolved into beautiful Nownrs and
these viii remain in tho garden Tor
yrars with n little culture and fcrtliza-
ton some OF tho blossoms are as larEc
a. a half dollar and their beauty falls
upon tho scnscs with n charm and rest
fulncSs that is highly appreciated by
the women nrd men alike 50 fortunate
A. to grow them. Tho hardy lark
gpflrf are also desirable and should be
grown along some fcncHline to enhance
its a appearance. Tho tall English sorts
nrr used quito extensively for back
ground In the hardy herbaceous border.
A. they frequently reach a height OF
riV foot or more, producing largo spikes
OF bloom and arc considered by most
gardeners as being the finest OF all the
hardy delphinlums.
The BclIadonua and It's hyhrtds, For
mosun end FormOsum Coalestinum,