Evening star., 1938-05-21
Leaves From
The Garden
New Iris Seedlings
Well Adapted to
Conditions Here.

IONE OF the unusual features OF the
iris shows this spring was the
number OF very excellent seedlings
exhibited by local iris fans. To the
casual gardner an iris Seeding is just
something new. To the real gardener
there is an entirely different aspect.
A plant that has been developed under
our local conditions Is almost certain
to be well adapted TO our soils and
climate and far more apt to thrive and
do well here than plant originated on
the Pacific Coast. the South or in the
Middle West. This is particularly true
of iris, and 50 the fine new seedlings
are more than welcome
Speaking Of seedlings. plant breed
ers are beginning to develop disease
resistant types and varieties Of garden
plants. A few years ago ruSt-resist-
ant snapdragon was introduced, which
is of interest to the home gardener
who does not wish to spend his time
spraying. Here in Washington China
asters succeed about once in flve years,
whereas they should be the mainstay
of the late summer annual beds.
Blight-resistant asters now. however.
are available to all. A disease-free
delphinium and rust-resistant hardy
phlox, similar to Miss Lingaard. would
be most acceptable additions to any
garden
Peonies are well-established favor
ite in some gardens, but they are
really worthwhile perennials and de-
serve to be widely planted. Wash
ington, however. is close to the SOUTH
ern border of the area in which they
are adapted Our hot summers often
times cause the buds of the late
blooming varieties to ball" Depend
ence, therefore, should be put upon
the early and midseason varieties.
Even the midseason bloomers are
sometimes ruined by hot SPELLS" but
not often enough to justify discarding
them
Protection from the hot afternoon
sun benefits peonies and reduces the
| tendency to ball
A very useful combination of
/ flowers and shrubs for the shady yard
that will give good display in the
spring and summer may be had with
| a planting of rhododendrons in the
background and azaleas in the fore
ground and with Japanese iris scat
tered between the aZaleas. The azaleas
bloom in April. while number Of the
rhododendron varieties bloom in May.
! The Japanese iris bloom in June and
July These three groups Of plants.
which come in a fair range of colors.
| like moist, acid conditions and shade.
/ An interesting climbing annual Is
| the moon vine. Similar in appear
ance to the morning-glory family.
| its flowers open in the evening
rather than in the morning. Seeds
may be started indoors early in the
/ spring. or plants may be obtained
from the gardener. Large-sized plants
are preferable. so as to give a long
season of bloom. Give plenty Of fer
! tilizer and water for the best results.
! At this season OF the year It Is
well to divert our attention for
short time from the spring blooming
plants to the fall boomers if We are
to have bloom next October While
chrysanthemums are the usual source
of cut flowers in late September and
October. there are number of other
sources that should not be overlooked.
The Japanese anemone wind floVer)
is very attractive. grows in sun or
partial shade and Is good for cutting.
Queen Charlotte and Whirlwind are
two good varieties.
The hardy asters are fine fall bloom
ers and come in several colors and
| heights. They merit wider use. as
does the hardy ageratum Eupator-
iumD. The latter needs moisture and
will stand some shade: it may become
| a weed If allowed too much freedom.
| The swamp aster (Boltonia) blooms
late in the spring. Is tall likes moisture
and will do we'll in either sun or
shade.
Marigolds, whether they are grown
! for cutting or for color. should be
staked to prevent blowing over. One
method of support is to drive stakes
at each end Of the row and stretch
strings on both sides OF the plants.
The strings are inconspicuous and
much less work than driving q stake
beside each plant.
As an aid in controlling crab grass
set the cutter bar on the lawn mower
as high as possible. BY keeping the
blue grass 21a to inches high 1t will
shade the crab grass seedlings and
| choLA o,It ,ooxf NJ fhANo