The pimpernels are all of trailing habit, however the annuals are of the simplest culture and are bright showy plants well suited to plant¬ing in the foreground of mixed borders. Modern strains offered in seedsmen's catalogues are a big im¬provement both in habit and in the size and colour of the flowers on the older species. Whilst there are a few strictly perennial in nature, but they can be dismissed as being of little garden value.
To cultivate the Anagallis, the plants will thrive in any well-drained soil and should be planted in an open position. The removal of spent blooms and seed pods is the most essential detail during the summer months, to ensure the plants continue to prosper.
In terms of propagation seed may be sown in a sheltered border out of doors in March or April, and then the plants transplanted to where they are going to settle and bloom in May. As a rule, however, it is very much better to sow under glass in March in a temperature of 60 degrees and again plant out in the middle of May as previously stated.
Secondly we will look closely at the Anchusa which are hardy herbaceous perennials.
The most important species from the garden point of view is Anchusa italica, a tall plant with cobalt-blue flowers. It has given rise to numerous varieties over the past few years.
A deeply worked soil is very neces¬sary for the successful cultivation of anchusas, as they make long tap roots, so make sure you dig deep. Moreover, they thrive best in land that is well drained and somewhat light in character, definitely resenting, even hating heavy clay soils, in which they very much tend to rot off during the winter. It is important that Anchusas should not be disturbed frequently. In actual point of fact they should be allowed to grow on for several years until they are worn out, when they may be replaced by healthy young stock raised from seed or root cuttings.
October, March, and early April are suitable times for planting, with preference being given to spring, especially if the soil is of a heavy nature, and October and March frost bound The species may be raised from seed sown in March in a cold frame or in June outdoors as the best way to propagate them. Please note carefully that selected garden forms must, however, be propagated either by careful division at planting time or, far more effectively, by root cuttings. The best way to prepare root cuttings are from thick roots removed in January or February, cut into lengths of about one inch, and laid in pans or boxes filled with sandy compost. You should then cover them with half an inch of the same soil mixture and then started into growth in a cool greenhouse or cold frame.
This may seem a considerable effort, but anything worth doing is of course worth doing well, and with a bit of care you will see great results.
