We have been delighted with the gladiolus species, especially with Gladiolus tristis, which should be planted in November.
It is a hardy little fellow that begins growth immediately after planting and which, in our experience, has never been damaged by freezes.
Gladiolus Flowers
The flowers, which appear in March when we are planting large-flowered garden gladiolus, are straw-colored and fragrant.
We have also grown the species Gladiolus segesum and the variety of CHARM, but I think Gladiolus tristis, the most interesting as well as the most dependable of the group. We do not dig Gladiolus tristis, but leave them in the ground year-round.
Plant Daffodils Now
I have grown daffodils for a long, long time. Back on the old farm place, there were only a few varieties.
Most plantings consisted mainly of the very early, long-trumpet type—the only one that carried the name “daffodil” at the time—and the cluster-flowered wiry-stemmed kinds that were called jonquils.
Mass Planting
For mass planting, these older types with medium-sized flowers are unusually effective, and for naturalizing, they seem to be even more fitting than the giant-flowered types.
Most dealers now sell moderately priced mixtures for naturalizing. They are definitely good investments if you have room for them.
Hundred Varieties of Daffolis Planted
Last fall, we planted more than a hundred varieties and hoped to increase our plantings by adding new ones each season. We have trouble keeping them properly labeled.
It seems difficult for our garden helper to appreciate the importance of a label when no plant is present, as is the case with daffodils during their dormant season.
Bloom of Daffolis on Spring
While not impressive in size, our planting pulled its full share of attention when in bloom this past spring.
While the March freeze ruined a few wide-open blooms, the plants pulled through remarkably well and continued blooming.
Daffodils do exceptionally well throughout the Mid-South, and the failure of gardeners to plant them more generously is not easily understood.
The white varieties and those with brilliant red cups attracted more attention in our planting than other types.
Admired by visitors were:
- THALIA, the white triandrus hybrid;
- SILVER STARS, a large white star-shaped perianth of creamy white with light primrose trumpet;
- LA ARGENTINA, with large, broad white perianth and white cup marked with radiating stripes of yellow; and
- BEERSHEBA, the older; and
- MOUNT HOOD
Of the red-cupped varieties;
- FIRETAIL
- DICK WELLBAND
- LADY KESTEVEN
- KANSAS
- RED MARLEY
- SELMA LAGERLOF
…all stood out boldly and attracted much attention.
Rose Parade
All the new roses have done remarkably well this season.
The following have performed better than expected under the weather conditions:
- CIRCUS, the multi-colored All-America winner for 1956
- MONTEZUMA, an orange apricot that belongs to the new Grandiflora group
- WILDFIRE, the flamboyant floribunda
- LOVE SONG, something of the color of PEACE, but smaller and of greater refinement, is one of the prettiest roses I have ever seen, especially when in the bud
- SPARTAN, the coral-red floribunda is very much the color of the popular JIMINY CRICKET, but with fuller flowers, has attracted as much attention as anything in our small planting
- KONRAD ADENAUER, the blood-red
- KATE SMITH, an apricot-tinged with pink were particular “color favorites.”
These roses have grown and bloomed well, and arid has shown remarkable resistance to black spots.
SPARTAN and WILD FIRE have been especially profuse.
One crop of flower heads would hardly fade before there would be another one to take its place.
I have never grown roses that were more persistent in bloom than these two varieties. Both plants are full and stocky, and the foliage is good.
44659 by Ben Arthur Davis