The Edwardian Gardener's Guide by Twigs Way

Author:Twigs Way
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: The Edwardian Gradener’s Guide: For All Garden Lovers
ISBN: 9780747815181
Publisher: Osprey Publishing

This was evolved from the show type at a later date by the Continental florists, who introduced the bright colours and larger size in the blooms, at the same time producing plants of much stronger habit and with far hardier constitutions. The Continental varieties introduced were at once taken in hand by our own growers, who quickly added the essentials to raise it to the florists’ standard. The result is that today the fancy pansy is as perfect in form as the older type, and is judged on precisely the same lines. Although extremely popular in the Midlands and the North, the florists’ forms of fancy pansies cannot claim the esteem in which those raised from seed are held throughout the country. These are raised in millions each year, and prove a source of enjoyment to as many people. For what is more fascinating than watching the unfolding petals of a bed of good seedling pansies?

Violas or Tufted Pansies

This popular section is said to have been the result of a cross between the show pansy and Viola cornuta, and it is the most esteemed for bedding or massing purposes. Formerly the flowers were all self colours, but now they have been crossed to secure larger flowers and a greater range of coloration, with the result that to-day we have scores of varieties, most of them useful for decorative effect, while a small minority only are suitable for the show board or exhibition table. The earlier forms were of dwarf, bushy habit, but many of the modern sorts have the growth of the fancy pansy, which does not add to their usefulness or charm as garden flowers. Their long season of flowering makes them general favourites and accounts for the position they now hold in our gardens. The rayless varieties are particularly attractive, and the majority possess a fine, tufted habit.

Miniature Violas

These are commonly known as the Violetta type, and are the result of a cross between a bedding pansy and Viola cornuta. The plants are very dwarf and tufted in growth, and the flowers small and dainty. The plants are remarkably free flowering, though rather late in starting; they are especially charming for edgings and are equally suitable for rockeries. It is, perhaps, superfluous to add that they are being improved in all respects.

The Planting Period

This may extend over a long period according to the nature of the soil, the situation of the garden, or other local circumstance, and each grower must make his own final decision. I prefer planting the seedlings in October or November, so that they may obtain a thorough grip of the soil before the very severe weather starts. As a general rule they will pass through a hard winter without any protection whatever, and make splendid plants for early flowering in the following year. I am now alluding to gardens which enjoy the pure country air and not to those less fortunately situated near large towns or cities, or even where fogs are very prevalent. I would advise all growers who labour under these conditions to winter the seedlings in cold-frames.

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