Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-07-12

PerennialS are the backbone
of the Towering border in many
gardens and they deserve a
wider, more general use in all
gardens. They provide a wide
variety Of blooms that includes
many favorites and often fill a
need that ANIMALS cannot. This
is particularly true of the shady
border.
Many gardeners look on peren-
malls as too costly for their use.
but experienced gardeners know
that seed sown at this season will
produce blooming size plants by
the spring of 1854 at relatively
small cost. The growing of
Towering sized PLANTS from seed
is not difficult nor does 1t require
expensive equipment. A six
inch flower pot will produce two
or three dozen plants, or it may
be used to start two or even
three kinds of varieties. This is
a good practice since most flower
borders do not need more than
q half dozen plants of kind to
provide continuous floral dis
play from spring until fall.
Perennial seeds are obtainable
for most kinds and species, but
many named varieties must be
propagated vegetatively. The
gardener will often find that
plants Of the uncommon species
and kinds are not readily OBJ
tainable and that he must grow
them from seed.
Easily Grown From Seed.
Perennials are not difficult to
grow from seed. Fresh seed is
desirable, since 1t terminates
more easily than does old seed.
This is especially true of pansy
and delphinium seed. The ger
mination to be expected from q
packet of seed should be indi-
Gated on the wrapper, but since
few States regulate the qualities
OF flower seed to be sold, it is
seldom given. The better seed
houses usually provide such in
formation for the grower, how
ever, If it is requested.
Since this season of the year
is usually hot and frequently
dry, a special seed bed should
be prepared for perennials. One
Of the better materials for start
ing seeds is Spaghnum moss.
Not only does it hold moisture,
but it is practically immune to
the destructive disease of seed
lings known as damping-oh. |
Also it is inexpensive-a pound
will provide material for two
or three years seed-sowing &C
tivities.
PuKerize the dried moss
through a quarterback hard
ware cloth screen. The seed
box, pot. fiat or seed bed, may
be filled with the pulverized
moss, or a thin layer may be
used on top Of q soil mixture.
The choice is immaterial since
good plants may be raised with.
either practice.
Frequent Watering Necessary.
If a special seed bed Is pre-
pared it should be convenient to
the faucet because frequent wa
tering will be necessary. A lightly
shaded situation is usually best
since soil temperatures are not
likely to be so high. Sun and
wind will be less of a factor in
keeping the surfaces Of the beds
and pots from drying.
Sow the seeds thinly in the
moss and cover according to the
size of the seed-large seeds
about three times their diameter.
Tiny seeds, such as poppy, do
not need a cover. After the seeds
are in place and covered they
should be thoroughly soaked.
Cover the surface with newspa-
perS, burlap or glass to prevent
drying. It is well to- shade those
kinds that grow best in a cool
situation. AS soon as the ger
minating seeds poke their heads
through the moss the cover
should be removed so that they
may receive light.
When the seedlings have de-
veloped their first pair of true
leaves they should be trans
planted to a bed or fiat filled
with a mixture of equal parts of
sand, leaf mold or compost, and
of garden loan. Some fertilizer
may be mixed with these ma
terialS-a cupful to a bushel.
Space Seedlings Inches.
Space the seedlings at least
three inches apart in the bed or
fat. A four-inch spacing is pref
cradle for the stronger growing
kinds. This will give them ample
root space, and being uncrowded
will help them to develop into
stocky plants.
Because Washington weather
can be hot and dry during the
late summer it is necessary to
give the seedlings considerable
attention so that they will be
large enough to go into their
permanent locations by mid
September. This means shading
the seedlings for few days until
they are well established. Sec
ondly, they should be mulched to