Evening star., 1941-08-09

usually ldIoi oIlIC ~ WCohSAio eA'S
al blight-the one serious disease OF
; Oriental poppies.
In planting Oriental poppies one
should make certain that the bed is
we'll drained so that there is little
danger of water standing around the
roots or crowns. Given this assur-
ance one may depend upon the
dormant roots planted in August to
produce strong, free-blooming
plants. The crowns are set approx
mately 2 inches below the surface Of
the ground.
AS soon as freezing weather sets
in. it is desirable to mulch the
plants with well-rotted manure or
compost. Do not cover the leaves
which have appeared and that will
remain green throughout the win
ter. Old established plants are sell
dom mulched, although the rotted
manure gives both protection and
food.
Poppies are ordinarily such Wig
orous growers that they need very
little care. The removal of weeds
and crabgraSs is, of course, benefit.
In late June or early July, when the
tops die, it is we'll to remove them
and to fill the holes thus left with
soil so as to avoid having water
stand over the crowns.
In early spring We again cultivate
and feed with a mixed fertilizer
Beyond this the work of growing
poppies is limited to stalking the
massive flowers to protect them from
driving rains. A strong wire loop on
18-inch legs makes a very salts
factory support. Especially for
large clumps where there are often
IS to 25 flowers and individual
stakes are out of the question.
Poppies are a valuable addition
to the flower border as they are
strong growing, dependable peren-
mails, and also, for their brilliant
show of color. There are few gar
dens that cannot use them to accent
or enliven almost any flower bed.
While the Oriental poppies are
colorful group. the species is usually
considered to have too much orange
for general garden use, but if
planted where its brilliant hue does
not clash with other flowers, it adds
a striking bit of color to the border.
Otherwise, most of the varieties
are we'll liked for their brilliancy
and wide range of colors. A good
snow white has yet to be produced.
Perry's White is white enough when
it first opens, but the pollen from
the stamens soon makes it appear
dirty. Perry's Blush opens blush
pink and fades to pure white.
Poppies are generally considered
useful only as garden decoration.
However, they may be used as cut
flowers and are quite lasting if the
stems are burned Immediately upon
cutting. or when placed in boiling
water for or minutes. After
burning or given the hot-water
treatment they should be plunged
into deep cold water for an hour or
more. Thus treated they will re-
main fresh and hold their petals
for several days. Some gardeners
prefer to remove the stamens with
the belief that it is the fallen pollen
that makes them appear untidy as
cut flowers. Perhaps the fallen
pollen does not add to the appear
ance, but the stamens add to the
pattern.
In selecting varieties of oriental
poppies it is we'll to be guided by
the recommendations of the Amer
lean Poppy Society. A committee
was appointed to go over the exist
ing varieties and recommend those
for future propagation. The COM
mittee recommended that so va
rieties were sufficient for all prac-
tical needs and selected IS from
those already in commerce. The
recommended varieties are listed
below. Most nursery catalogues
list others which they have avail
able and which in many cases, are
good garden plants. However, the
beginner is less likely to suffer dis
appointment if he follows the advice
of these specialists.
White.
Perry's White.
Perry's Blush-opens blush-pink.
Salmon Pink.
Mary Jane Miller-geranium pink
Mary Sadler-Salmon pink.
Mrs. Perry-Salmon pink.
Watteau-Fresh coral pink.
Light Pink.
Helen Elizabeth-la France pink.
New Perfection-shell pink.
Betty Ann-la France pink.
Dainty Lady-shell pink.
Perfection-light pink.
Sass Pink-flesh pink.
Echo-frosty silvery pink.
Deep Pink.
Wunderkind-queer soft rose.
, Ethel Swete-brilliant cherry
pink.
JEANNE Mawson-peach pink.
Julia Buck-coral pink.
Cerise
Joyce-soft red.
Cerise Beauty-cerise pink.
Lavender
Observation-Disclosures.
Red
Australia-OX-b blood red.