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change the nitrites back to nitrates. In regions rich in humus, groundwater often contains organic as well as inorganic matter. Well watermay and often does contain plant food which is very valuable in theform of nitrates or ammonia. Removing Seed Pods and General Care. Summer care ofperennials consists of removing seed stems and dead flowers. It isextremely important to remove dead flowers at once, as formation ofseeds weakens a plant. And with many plants, such as the larkspurand foxglove, new flowers also will be produced if the old flowers areremoved immediately after blooming. There is a considerable differ-ence of opinion concerning the general maintenance of the larkspur.Some persons think that the stock of this plant should be cut down to aheight of four inches to six inches immediately after flowering, otherpersons feel that it should not be cut to a height of less than twelveinches to fifteen inches. The author's personal experience has beenthat if these plants are cut back immediately after flowering to a heightof four inches to six inches new shoots will be developed which will notattain the height of the original plant but will develop excellent flowersduring the latter part of September. Support tall-growing plants withneat stakes. In this class are asters, boltonias, and larkspurs. Do notdelay the staking until the plants have begun to fall over. Barespaces among plants in a border should be filled with annuals, ifnecessary, as this will not only improve the general effect but helpalso to keep the ground shaded and cool, and provide bright spots ofcolour after the first flush of bloom among the perennials is over.Bare spaces may be filled by bringing in plants from a reserve gardenwhere they may be held in pots. New varieties of perennials andbiennials should be propagated and transplanted to the bed or borderto replace plants that run out or begin to fail. Seedlings will springup from many plants, such as anemones, marguerites, hollyhocks, andcampanulas, when seed pods are allowed to form. Such plants can beused to fill up open spaces. |
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