[CHAPTER LI]
Growing Perennials from Seed
“WE bought,” said Billy, taking the packages in his hand, “only the seeds of the perennials which are easily grown. It’s far better to buy the young plants of the more delicate kinds.”
“I should think so. May we see what you have here?” asked his father, reading aloud the names on the envelopes which Billy gave him. They were—
- Gaillardia
- Coreopsis
- Iceland Poppies
- Larkspur
- Bell Flowers
- Oriental Poppies
- Baby’s Breath
- Hollyhocks
- Foxgloves
- Columbines
“Of course,” Billy explained, “all of these seeds could be started in the early Spring in a sunny window in the house, or in a hotbed, and transplanted to the open ground in June; but the advantage in planting them in July or August is that they will get a good start before cold weather, and will bloom the next Summer.”
“Oh, wouldn’t they bloom in the coming Summer if planted in the house very, very early in the Spring?” asked Eleanor.
“A few, such as sweet williams and gaillardia, might,” Billy answered, “but it would be quite uncertain.”