Evening star., 1948-07-19
This and That
By Charles E. Trace1DelI
UPPER FOURTEENTH STREET

UPPER FOURTEENTH STREET.
Dear Sir:
I'm answer to D. S. H. In addition to the
flowers you mention, the hummingbirds are
lowering this morning over our althea bush,
and II he cares for specimen, he is welcome
to come to our back yard and help himself.
My mother was great reader of your COL
umn do not doubt that the last article she
ever read was your column. She died in April,
1947. Very truly yours G. M. p"
The common althea bush, sometimes called
Rose of Sharon, is favorite in and around
Washington
1t may be used as individual bushes, at
tanning the height of small trees, or as hedges
Lack of pruning is usual, in which case the
bush tends to get leggy.
Pruning every five years should be severe.
If kept trimmed, the plant grows thick and
bushy.
Sometimes an uncut one attains perfect
growth, tall and symmetrical There are many
fine specimens in some of the older sections of
the city
In suburban areas are good hedges made
from this material. The main trunk and lower
side branches sometimes attain thickness of
two inches in diameter
X
The leaves are bit slow coming on. but
once attained, remain on until frost kills them
The leafing out is considerably behind that of
the lilacs, but unlike those bushes, whose leaves
begin to lose luster early, the althea holds onto
its leaves long into the autumn.
1t is neither the leaf nor height, however,
which gives this bush its value.
1t is the perfect blossom, cup shaped tinted
inside with red, with beautiful white or creamy
petals, that makes the plant a universal
favorite.
There are other colors, too, such as lavender
There is double form. deep red; but while a
fine plant, this one lacks the singular appeal of
the single form.
1t is this flower, wide open to the heavens,
blushing in the morning sunlight and dew,
that has endeared 1t to all garden lovers.
1t is flower of childhood memory, along
with its cousin, the hollyhock and the hibiscus.
The family relationship is very plain.
y *
These bushes are offered by all stores every
spring.
Yet many families refuse to get them. A
few should be in every yard, if no more than
back in corner. But for best growing, out in
the open, especially in full sunshine, is pre-
ferred. That is where the best single speci-
mems are grown.
1t is such a hardy plant, however that 1t
does well in almost any location.
A few hibiscus should be grown, if one wants
large blossoms. Many homeowners do not
know, perhaps, that they, too, can, have dinner
plate sized flowers in their own yards
The hibiscus has one fault, it becomes ex-
tremely leggy in late summer, and Is easily
blown over and the stalks broken in sudden
thunderstorms. For this reason 1t Is best to
use stakes after June.
The old althea is more satisfactory plant
And its blooms somehow capture the essence
OF childhood. at least for many, many persons
No doubt the first realization of true beauty
as thing in itself, comes to many child
on beholding these simple, lovely flowers
The blossoms are, of course loved by both
hummingbirds and bees. Capturing bumble-
bees in them, by the simple expedient of clos
ing the large petals over the creatures, is a
favorite sport Of childhood. The wild things
love these flowers, and no doubt human be-
ings are still wild enough to love them. Hum
mingbirds, bees and men meet on a good plane
although their reasons for meeting at the
mouth Of beautiful flower are different
In the case Of the althea, the bees and hum
mers, we may think, are far in advance of
mankind. They have devised ways of en-
joying something without destroying it. If
man ever attains that simple wisdom. universal
peace. happiness and plenty may descend upon
the world. In preparation for such peace.
let US advocate in advance the althea blos-
som ~ the badge Of that new world.