Evening star., 1925-06-23
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES L. TRACEHELL.

they do not. depending upon soil and
general weather conditions.
One catalogue describes the bi-
ennial kind as follows: Grand SunAI
mer and Autumn Towering plants,
bearing long spikes of double flowers,
3 to 4 inches across. They are old in
habitants of our gardens, but are now
SO improved in doubleness and en-
larged in size as to be revelations of
gorgeous beauty to those who have
not seen these improved sorts. Hardy
biennials-or short-lived perennials-
to 8 feet high"
This catalogue speaks as follows
Of the annual sort: THE old favorite
Hollyhock can seldom be flowered
from seed before the second year,
and as the young plants frequently
Winter-kill, it has limited the cult =
walton of Hollyhocks to those will
ing to give the young plants special
Winter care.
THE plants from early -sown seed
set out in May commence blooming in
July, the May-sown in August, and
In either event they flower profusely
until frost.
THE diversity of forms and colors
among the flowers affords many de-
lightful surprises. Some plants pro
duce densely double flowers without
guards, others with guard petals
there are semi-doubles with Anem-
one-fowered centers, some with
smooth edged petals, others flounced,
fringed, etc, and all flowers are
usually very large, measuring 5
inches across.
I'm colors there is also great varie-
ty. some richly brilliant others dainty
and exquisite. then there are colors
and tfnts in charming combinations
There are maroon, black, pink,
chamois-rose, apricot with garnet
throat, crimson. canary yellow, pink
with claret throat and veins, blush
with carmine lacings, cerise, white.
scarlet. blush with white throat. ma :
genta, apricot with buff margin. etc.
etc
Most of US will be willing to foreso
such wonders as the word artist of
the catalog paints for our delectation
just the ordinary, common garden
variety will suit US as we'll
Perhaps of all the colors in Holly
hooks, pink is the most satisfa ctory,
In it's various shades, especially when
red Is found in the throat. This was
the most generally found color in
Grandmother's old-fashioned garden,
along with various red shades
The latter range to practically
black in which color most Of the eff.
fectiveness Of the Hollyhock bloom is
lost. The lighter colors. against the
big leaves, present the most beautiful
picture TO the average beholder. al
though II must be admitted that there
are red shades just as pretty.
The question of color in the garden
Is question Of personal taste, upon
which no two persons are likely to
agree. whence comes the old injunc.
ton never to argue about such mat.
ters- There are no standards to go
by. Il like IT," says one. Il don't -
says the other. And both are right
1t is not the merit of the flower that
is being argued, really, but the per.
sonal liking of the disputants.
No one should be scared away from
the cultivation of few Hollyhocks in
the front or back yard by the specter
of rust. Yes, they will discolor some
times. but IL sprayed and the leaves
taken of, many fine flowers will
usually reward you.
While appearing at their best along
back fence or garage, l have seen
Hollyhocks planted in the front yard
very effectively. The darker red
shades go well with a brick house
while perhaps the pink ones would
look best against frame house paint
ed white. They must be used spar
ingly. however. in the front yard.