Garden Notes - Carnation to Crocus

Annual Carnation
Variety: Giant Chabaud Mixed

Annual. Height: 18 inches. This is a new race of double-flowered carnations of extraordinary fragrance and colors. They are obtainable in mixed colors or separate varieties, at least 95% of the seedlings bearing double flowers. Sow early in the year in slight heat and they will bloom six months afterwards, and continue to bloom until the frosts. If potted, they can be grown to bloom throughout the winter. They are excellent for cut bloom or display in the mixed flower border. May be sown in late summer, but should be kept through the winter in a sheltered position. Prefer a sunny position and a rich limy soil.
 

Chinese Aster
Variety: Ostrich Plume

Half-hardy annual. Height: 18 inches. Blooms July to October. Useful for cut flower or garden display. Colors: white, rose, purple, blue and scarlet. Needs a rich soil, well drained, with rotted manure dug in before planting, and a dressing of lime for best results. The lime helps the plants to resist Aster Wilt disease. Seeds are sown in boxed of light soil under glass April, to be transplanted into boxes or beds, in the frame three inches apart. Transplant where they are to bloom at the end of May, one foot apart. Water if the weather is dry and keep the soil hoed. When cutting, cut with a long stem and remove faded flowers to promote a second crop of blooms.
 

Chrysanthemum
Variety: Pink Precose

Hardy perennial. Height: 2 to 3 feet. Blooms August to frost. Color: bright pink. One of the best early flowering Chrysanthemums for cut bloom or garden decoration. It makes an excellent border plant. Increase by cuttings in spring for planting out in May to bloom the following September. Set the plants two feet apart in lawn beds or herbaceous borders. Two weeks after planting pinch out the top growth to create bushy plants. No disbudding necessary. It makes an admirable pot plant for the cool greenhouse and if fed liberally makes a complete ball of blossom.
 

Annual Chrysanthemum
Variety: Coronarium Golden Crown

Half-hardy annual. Height: 3 feet in good soil. Blooms from June onwards if the faded flowers are removed. Very colorful for garden display. Makes vigorous growth, flowers abundantly, each plant bearing fifty or more blooms. The silver-green foliage is a pleasing contrast to the buttercup-yellow flowers. Unlike most double flowers, this variety comes true from seeds. Sow direct where they are to bloom at the end of April, or earlier in boxes, to be transplanted when large enough to handle. Plant in groups in the mixed flower border to continue on after the spring flowers, or in small beds cut out in the lawn, where it makes an effective show for many months.
 

Crocus
Variety: Yellow Mammoth

Hardy perennial corm. Height: 6 inches. Color: pure yellow. Blooms February. No flower is more useful in the early spring garden or for culture in bowls. Must be grown cool for indoor decoration. Set the bulbs three inches apart and three inches deep. They are effective as a ribbon border to flower beds, as informal groups at the edge of the flower border, or to naturalize in the wild garden. Should always be planted in a position where their foliage can be allowed to die down naturally after blooming. Prefer a well-drained soil. But do not mind a semi-shady place. After a few years they should be lifted after blooming to be divided and replanted, preferably in a fresh position.