POPPIES
Like the skirts of flamenco dancers or ballerinas,
the satiny petals of crushed silk dazzle the
senses. In 1932, garden writer Henry J. Moore
wrote “They occur in colours which baffle
description, comprising such delicate shades
as apricot and salmon, and among pinks such
as rose, blush and flesh and through to the
most brilliant of crimsons.” Used for centuries
for beauty, magic and medicine, these easy to
grow annuals are loved by young and old.
Poppies are tap-rooted and do not take well to
transplanting, so sow the seeds in flowering
position in early spring or fall, thin and deadhead
to keep flowers coming. Dried seed pods
are excellent in bouquets. Though the ripe seeds
of the somniferum (incl. paeoniflorum) are edible
for poppy seed cakes and breads, please
note that the plant's sap is toxic. Poor soil O.K.
PORTULACA
Portulaca grandiflora
Picture old-fashioned single rose-like flowers of scarlet, purple,
carmine, yellow, apricot, pink and white spilling from a window box
and blooming tirelessly all summer long through drought. W. Robinson
says... “no other annual excels it in brilliancy, delicacy and diversity
of colour.” This cheery native of Brazil is indispensable for sowing
between paving stones and along hot driveways or as a ground cover.
Tolerates dry sandy soil. Great to plant after spring bulbs die back.
Easy D.S. or Tr Ht. 8 cm Sp. 30 cm
$3.00
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