Evening star., 1934-07-01
The Home Gardener
Practical and Seasonal Hints for the Amateur for
Beautfying Surroundings of the Home.
BY J. w. WELLINGTON.

/ be altogether unwarranted by the
grain farmer. In fact, if the farm
| lands were fertilized in a manner
comparable to the home. garden there
would be a tremendous increased pro-
duction. In the intensive culture OF
the home garden liberal and repeated
use of fertilizers is necessary to secure
best results.
A Snowy Perennial.
A sCLEPIAS TUBEROsA is the Latin
"a name of a native milkweed that
has SO much garden quality that it
has been accepted by several nursery
men as a horticultural plant. Just
now it's snowy orange blooms may
be seen along rural roadsides and
none would deny their beauty. The
native American plants have certain
qualities that fit them for our gar
dens. Centuries of adaptation to in
tense Winter cold and intense Sum-
mer heat have left their imprint on
the plants and it is little wonder that
the natives thrive so well where in
troduced species falter. For examples,
one might mention the holly, the dog
wood and the phlox.
A few plants of this ASclepiaS
tuberosa would make brilliant dis
play in any border Best of all, this
milkweed is adapted to poor soils and,
although responsive to care, does not
require the attention demanded by an
exotic plant 1t is safe to assert that
it will thrive on acid soils, for it Is
h1IloharriaS and
other acid-loving species.
Garden Notes.
MOUNTAIN laurel banked so thick
- ly along the roadways that it
appears almost like drifted snow from
the distance is a sight that greeted
travellers in Western Maryland and
Pennsylvania during the past week. 1t
is little wonder that Pennsylvania has
chosen the laurel as its State flower
and that we read of laurel festivals in
the Pocono Mountains. Given a fair
chance, nature is a truly wonderful
landscape gardener, often distributing
plants with rare artistry.
The wild honeysuckle, that so pro-
fusely covers the roadside fences of
nearby Maryland and Virginia, may
also be truly beautiful covering un-
slightly banks and fences with car
pet of green. The fragrance of the
honeysuckle blooms is also very pleas
ing to most people and adds charm
to rural meandering. Once in while,
one may observe red flowers instead
of the usual white, probably simple
variations as are the pink dogwoods.
Bailey, in his Encyclopedia of Horti-
culture, informs us that this honey
Suckle was introduced from Japan
many years ago, but shortly escaped
from gardens to become naturalized.
Surely none would suspect now that
1t had not been here always.
V1olets have usually two types of
flowers on the same plant, first, the
snowy blooms which we all know so
well and which, in most species, pro-
duce no seed and, second, petalless
blooms which are borne on short
stems and remain hidden in the grass
at the base Of the plant. These lat
ter, known technically as cleistoga-
nous flowers, bear the seeds. It is
thus possible to remove all the visible
flowers from bed of violets and
still get crop of seedlings. Nature
aids the process by causing the seeds
to be thrown considerable distance
from the mother plant by the force
OF the breaking seed pod.
Some weeks ago it was suggested
that the old canes be cut out of the
rambling roses after they had ceased
TO bloom. This seems more than
usually important this year because
| many OF these canes showed dimin-
lshed vigor this Spring-that is. they
showed partial effects of the cold
Winter. The new canes will restore
the plants to their Originally strong
condition. One rose grower believes
that even the roots of the hybrid teas
were weakened by the intense cold.
AS matter of fact it does appear to
De taxing some rose plants a long
Time to regain condition.
SWeetpeaS, what a disappointment
10 nome gardeners who have come to
washington from the far South
Where this fragrant flower thrives as a
winter annual, or from the northern
Tier OF States where early Spring
paintings give excellent results. Now
ana then one sees fair SWeetpeas at
local flower shops, but they leave very
much TO be desired. The sweetpea
IKE lts garden relative, doesn't enjoy
noC weather, and that is what it en-
counters too early in its life in this
vicinity. Fortunately, there is
perennial form of sweetpea that does
thrive In this area. 1t has beauty. but
no fragrance, and, for this latter de-
rect, suffers in comparison with the
true sweet species. Were it possible
10 combine the fragrance of the one
ana the sturdy qualities of the other,
the resulting plant would be a most
WeIcome addition to our gardens
mat ornamental gardening has wide
popularity is attested by the fact that
over 100 students were enrolled this
past year in the course in flower ar
rangement given at Pennsylvania
state College. This was the largest
class in the whole horticultural cur
rlculum, and was attended by regular
students, faculty folk and various
townSpeople.
The Garden Clubs.
TITLE more will be heard from the
garden clubs until Midsummer
brings the displays of gladiolus. In
TACT, most of the local clubs declare
holiday during July and August. the
members devoting their energies to
the garden proper The Community
Garden Club of Rockville has ALWAYS
peen an exception, continuing an
active program throughout the Sum-
mer. frequently substituting, however
outdoor meetings for the routine in
door events. However, this club is
exceedingly fortunate in that many
OF its members have fine. large home
places that permit the holding of gar
den events. Withal said, flowers are
at their best in the garden, for nature
has way of arranging blooms that
quite def1ies imitation.
TRIPLE MURDER CHARGED