Evening star., 1947-03-30


Flowers have so long been asso-
ciated with the Easter season that
gradually it has become the custom
for many kinds of plants to be
given as Easter gifts. This de-
lightful custom has much merit,
coming as it does at the end Of the
long winter season. The flower gifts
bring spring colors into the homes.
Many of the plants may be saved
and planted in the garden to be-
come permanent reminders of the
givers' thoughtfulness.
While we still consider the Easter
lily as the Easter flower, there are
many kinds Of Towering plants and
bulbs that are sold during the
Easter season. In fact, any Towering
plant IS q welcome gift. Azaleas,
hydrangeas, tulips, hyacinths, DAT
fodils and cinerarias are normally
offered at this season by the florists.
Term for Subspecies.
The term Easter lily applies to
number Of subspecies of lilium lon
giflorum which vary greatly in their
hardness. Lilium longiforum va
riety harrisi, correctly known as
var. eximium, is hardy enough to be
grown in the garden. The Creole, L.
longiflorum var. alexandra; the
Japanese, vars. erabu and insulare
and var. giganteum tnot the same
as L. giganteum are not always
dependsbly hardy for out-of- doors
use in this area. The recently re-
leased hybrid lily developed by the
Department of Agriculture for the
Easter trade is hardy and more dis
ease-resistant than the others and
makes an excellent garden display
Easter lilies are seldom forced
by the home gardener. They are
commonly bought from the florist
when in bud or flower. The price
depends upon the number of flowers
and their condition. The home gar
dener is interested only in their
culture and keep. Watering is not
difficult as it is with some plants
largely because the florist, in pot
ting them up, puts an inch layer of
sand beneath the bulb to carry
away excess moisture.
Feeding is unnecessary since the
bulbs have been potted only a few
months and there is no need to do
more than keep the plants growing
and healthy until it is warm enough
in the garden to plant them out.
Azaleas Increasingly Popular.
BY keeping the lily watered and
growing in a sunny window for the
two or three weeks remaining be-
fore the normal frost free date in
Washington, we may have a strong
healthy plant for the garden. Some
times second Towering period will
come but normally we expect only
the strong growth which is desir-
able for producing a strong flower
ing spike the following season.
Azaleas have, in recent years, be-
come quite popular for the Easter
season. Most of the varieties Offer
ed for sale at the Easter season are
hardy in this area and should be
saved for planting out in the
garden. For good growth watering
and a not-too-warm sunny window
are essential.
If the leaves show a tendency to
turn yellow or to drop, watering
may need to be increased although
over watering will produce the
same effect. To determine which is
the cause most gardeners rap on
the side Of the pot with their
knuckles, a light or hollow sound
indicates dryness. while a heavy or
dull sound denotes a wet bali Of
earth.
A hot, sunny window Is usually
too dry for good growth, but it is Of
more Importance that plants so
situated usually have very short
Towering period. The same holds
true for the garden. Those azaleas