| From the first curled stems that push through in | | | | while a circle of leaves came up and remained |
| spring to the star-shaped seed pods in late fall, | | | | green all winter. In spring new growth was made. |
| Dictamnus albus (Dittany, Fraxinella, Burning Bush | | | | First, leaves broke through, then the stalks with |
| or Gas Plant) is ornamental. | | | | from 3 to 8 blooms. Soon, a permanent clump |
| Bloom stalks rise above foliage to present spikes | | | | formed and increased in size and beauty, year |
| of long-lasting, airy flowers. Depending upon the | | | | after year. |
| variety, these may be white, rose with purple | | | | Bulbs should be planted in a sunny location in |
| veining or a bluish lavender that's rare. Stiff, shiny | | | | ordinary but well-drained soil, about 18 inches |
| leaves are a rich, dark green and both foliage and | | | | apart, 2 inches deep, in groups of three or four. |
| flowers excellent for cutting. | | | | They need but little care and are highly disease |
| Since germination is uncertain and slow, about 4 | | | | resistant. |
| years from seed to bloom, it's best to start with | | | | Madonna lilies' delightfully fragrant, rich white |
| plants from the nursery. These may be set out in | | | | flowers are effective with almost any color and |
| spring or fall about the same depth as peonies | | | | very beautiful with light blue delphiniums. When |
| with the crowns 2 inches below ground level. | | | | cut, they offer many possibilities, alone or with |
| Ample space should be allowed as the plant likes | | | | other flowers that bloom in late June or early July. |
| elbow room. | | | | Climbing Fumitory |
| It grows somewhat like the peony, making a | | | | Surprise and disappointment are often |
| bushy, symmetrical clump 3 to 4 feet high and | | | | experienced by gardeners and I've had my share |
| wide. It dies back each fall to come up each | | | | of both. My most pleasant of the first emotion |
| spring. There's nothing temporary about it. It is | | | | came this year as I was weeding a neglected |
| long lived and has been known to outlive three | | | | spot. |
| generations of a family. | | | | Growing beside the best shade tree in thick moss |
| It blooms with the iris and painted daisy, has a | | | | on top a large stone in deep, damp shade and |
| long season and is equally lovely in the perennial | | | | clambering for some five or six feet over the |
| border or as a specimen plant. Its foliage has a | | | | crowns of wild violets and the blue Phlox |
| pervasive lemon or mint fragrance and its seeds | | | | divaricata, was a beautiful specimen of the |
| an interesting habit of shooting out. | | | | climbing fumitory in full bloom. For a moment I |
| Most fascinating of all is a trick it does. It got its | | | | thought I had found a climbing white bleedingheart, |
| name Gas Plant for the very good reason that it | | | | so closely did the blossoms resemble them. |
| exudes a sort of gas. If the evening is still, hold a | | | | This plant has great delicacy although it clings to |
| match below the blooms. They will pop! Just like | | | | its support with a vise-like grip - the dainty, |
| the gas stove when it's lit! | | | | three-pinnate, light green, fern-like foliage has all |
| Madonna Lily | | | | the grace of fairy wings. |
| Another choice, not a new flower but one as old | | | | Whence it came, I know not. By bird or wind? |
| as civilization, is the Madonna lily or Lilium candidum. | | | | But, I do know that the climbing fumitory is a |
| The first major improvement in this oldest known | | | | biennial and that it is not difficult to grow from |
| of garden lilies, was the Cascade strain. | | | | seed if the conditions of its native habitat are |
| Ten years ago, a friend sent me a few bulbs. I | | | | copied. Will its descendants adorn my garden in |
| planted them early in September and in a short | | | | other summers? Only time will tell. |