“WHY, Billy, the very thought of a garden like this almost frightens me,” cried Mary Frances. “I don’t believe I ever, ever can remember one-quarter of the names!”
“Pshaw!” exclaimed Billy, “that’s just like a girl! I wouldn’t let a few names scare me! Besides, there aren’t so many names; some arerepeatedin each list. That’s not a very difficult garden, if managed just as Miss Gardiner explained.”
“Oh, I’m not scared—exactly,” said Mary Frances, “not when I have such a wonderful teacher, ahem! Professor Billy, when does my next lesson come?”
“Can’t promise,” said Billy not knowing whether to be pleased or vexed, “next lesson begins work. Hello! I see by my note book, I’ve left out a part of this lesson. I suppose it is because we’ve never had window boxes that I overlooked this list.”
“Window gardens are almost like a doll’s garden, it seems to me,” said Mary Frances, as Billy started to read:
1. Have the boxes made with small holes, or outlets, so that there may be good drainage; for although plants love to drink water, they do not enjoy having “soaking wet feet” all the time.2. In the bottom of the box place some pebbles or broken stone; this, also, to make the drainage good.3. Fill box with sifted sand and humus (or manure) very much as for seed boxes. SeeChapter XIV.Following is a list of—
1. Have the boxes made with small holes, or outlets, so that there may be good drainage; for although plants love to drink water, they do not enjoy having “soaking wet feet” all the time.
2. In the bottom of the box place some pebbles or broken stone; this, also, to make the drainage good.
3. Fill box with sifted sand and humus (or manure) very much as for seed boxes. SeeChapter XIV.
Following is a list of—
(Most are annuals, easily started from seeds)
Petunias.Many beautiful colors. Sow the seeds indoors; the plants may be placed out as soon as danger of frost is passed. If seeds are saved, they should be taken from the weakest plants, as they will give better results than from stronger plants.Bloom until killed by frost. Buy double large flowering.Zinnias (”Youth-and-Old-Age“).All colors except blue and purple. Buy “Dwarf Double” varieties. Bloom late into the Fall.Phlox Drummondi (Annual Phlox).Very many beautiful mixed colors.Easily grown.Sweet Alyssum.Buy the tall variety, of trailing habit: “Alyssum Maritimum.” Plant near edges of box.Cuphea (Cigar Plant).Interesting little plant, growing one foot high. Little scarlet flowers, shape of hollow cigars, with black and white tip, resembling ashes.Ageratum (Floss Flower).Buy Dwarf Variety. SeeList of Annualsfor description.Verbenas.Sweet-scented Verbenas.Colors: Rose, pink, white, purple, lavender, etc.Vinca Major Varigata (“Variegated Periwinkle”).Excellent for trailing over the edges of windowboxes.Leaves glossy green with light green edges.Flowers, blue.Geraniums.Too well known to need description. Easily grownfrom “cuttings.”SeeChapter XXXV.Do not expect geraniums to bloom the year round. Give them rest in Winter or Summer by pinching off the buds.
Many beautiful colors. Sow the seeds indoors; the plants may be placed out as soon as danger of frost is passed. If seeds are saved, they should be taken from the weakest plants, as they will give better results than from stronger plants.
Bloom until killed by frost. Buy double large flowering.
Zinnias (”Youth-and-Old-Age“).
All colors except blue and purple. Buy “Dwarf Double” varieties. Bloom late into the Fall.
Phlox Drummondi (Annual Phlox).
Very many beautiful mixed colors.
Easily grown.
Sweet Alyssum.
Buy the tall variety, of trailing habit: “Alyssum Maritimum.” Plant near edges of box.
Cuphea (Cigar Plant).
Interesting little plant, growing one foot high. Little scarlet flowers, shape of hollow cigars, with black and white tip, resembling ashes.
Ageratum (Floss Flower).
Buy Dwarf Variety. SeeList of Annualsfor description.
Verbenas.
Sweet-scented Verbenas.
Colors: Rose, pink, white, purple, lavender, etc.
Vinca Major Varigata (“Variegated Periwinkle”).
Excellent for trailing over the edges of windowboxes.
Leaves glossy green with light green edges.
Flowers, blue.
Geraniums.
Too well known to need description. Easily grownfrom “cuttings.”
SeeChapter XXXV.
Do not expect geraniums to bloom the year round. Give them rest in Winter or Summer by pinching off the buds.
One of the prettiest shallow window boxes is planted with Violas in mixed colors, with “Tom Thumb” Alyssum for edging.
One of the prettiest shallow window boxes is planted with Violas in mixed colors, with “Tom Thumb” Alyssum for edging.
“Oh, Billy, will you build me a window box soon for my play house?” asked Mary Frances with enthusiasm.
“Will I? Indeed, Mary Frances, what do you think! I don’t believe you’ll find another fellow——”
“Oh, Billy, I didn’t think! I didn’t! You’re so good to give me these lessons! I’ll wait until later for the window box.”
“You’d better,” said Billy; “you interrupted my notes. There is just one more flower mentioned in these lists. It is—
Lemon Verbena (not hardy).An old-fashioned favorite, because of the sweet-scented foliage. It is better grown in the garden than in window boxes. The flowers are insignificant, but the lemon-scented leaves are a delight.
Lemon Verbena (not hardy).
An old-fashioned favorite, because of the sweet-scented foliage. It is better grown in the garden than in window boxes. The flowers are insignificant, but the lemon-scented leaves are a delight.
“Some ‘Lemon verbena’ I shall have!” exclaimed Mary Frances. “I remember it well in Grandma’s garden, don’t you?”
“I remember it, but I remember another sweet-scented leaf better:
Ber-ga-mot.Hardy, easily grown.Flowers: Brilliant red; pretty, but not beautiful. Leaves very fragrant. Humming birds often gather nectar from the flowers.
Ber-ga-mot.
Hardy, easily grown.
Flowers: Brilliant red; pretty, but not beautiful. Leaves very fragrant. Humming birds often gather nectar from the flowers.
“Oh, Billy, I remember that, too. Wasn’t it lovely! I know Grandma will give me some roots. Now, let’s begin the next lesson. I am so anxious to get to the place where I really begin to do something!”
“Well, you could do something right away,” said Billy. “You could start in this box which I filled with earth yesterday, and hung outside your play house window——”
“Oh, Billy!” breathed Mary Frances, “I didn’t see it! My, how pleased I am!”
“Humm!” Billy acknowledged her gratitude and continued: “You could start—
Parsley.SeeList of Vegetablesfor Little Folks’ Garden.Sage.A savory herb. Buy the plant. It grows about 15 inches tall.Mint.Used for “mint sauce.” Easily grown. Buy the plant.Chives.Somewhat like small delicate green onion tops. Bear a pretty blue flower. Buy clump of roots.Thyme.Edge the box with thyme.SeeList of Vegetablesfor Little Folks’ Garden.
SeeList of Vegetablesfor Little Folks’ Garden.
A savory herb. Buy the plant. It grows about 15 inches tall.
Used for “mint sauce.” Easily grown. Buy the plant.
Somewhat like small delicate green onion tops. Bear a pretty blue flower. Buy clump of roots.
Edge the box with thyme.
SeeList of Vegetablesfor Little Folks’ Garden.
“I’ll start it immediately,” declared Mary Frances, who was very fond of cooking, “I’ll get my purse and go to the florist’s right now to buy the plants.”
“Good-bye, then!” called Billy, “I’ve done my part. My next help is in eating the soup—or sauce!”