HOME GROUNDS AND GARDENS 215 



some of the tender and small seeded varieties, as large flowering petunias, 

 scarlet sage, pansies, and cosmos. The seeds of these should be started 

 in boxes in the house, hotbeds, or cold frames, from which they are trans- 

 planted to the open ground. Considerable time is gained in this way, 

 often one or two months. Annuals ought to be grown with the perennials 

 and the shrubs, or in a border by themselves, never in formal beds in the 

 middle of the front yard. A partial list is here given of the principal 

 annuals, useful for cut flowers and for decorative effects: Alyssum, 

 white, one of the best for edging borders or formal beds; plant seed out- 

 side in fall or early spring. Asters, sow seed inside, the late branching 

 make the best plants and splendid for cut flowers. Dwarf ageratum, blue 

 for edging. Snap dragon, an old-fashioned flower of many colors, sow 

 inside. Celosia, or coxcomb, the plume varieties, are very ornamental. 

 Cosmos, one of the very best, plant early varieties. Annual gaillardias 

 should be grown more extensively for cutting. Pansies, to get quick 

 results before the hot weather arrives, buy plants in bloom from the 

 florist. To be successful raising large flowering petunias, seed must be 

 started inside and transplanted later. Annual poppies must be sown very 

 early in spring, or a better plan, sow in the autumn. The Shirley variety 

 of this flower is very beautiful as a cut flower for decorating the home. 

 Phlox drummondi and verbenas are best planted where a low prostrate 

 habit is desired beside the walk. Sweet peas can be planted in a circle 

 in the border, using brush or wire netting as a support, or planted in a 

 formal row; seed must be planted very early in spring. These directions 

 from the sweet pea annual for 1906 are clear and to the point, twelve 

 words being sufficient: Trench deeply, manure liberally, plant thinly, 

 stake quickly, water freely, dispod promptly. A few' of the bright colored 

 zinnias are worth growing. 



Summer flowering bulbs and tubers are desirable both for flower and 

 foliage. Dahlias are flowers I can not recommend for this climate, having 

 had no success for three seasons. The gladiolus is one of the most strik- 

 ing and effective flowers when grouped in small masses with shrubs for 

 a background. If cut as the lower buds begin to open, the spike will last 

 for over a week in the house. To have a succession of bloom make plant- 

 ings from early April to the middle of June. Cannas make desirable 

 plants where a sub-tropical effect is needed; do not plant in center of 

 your front lawn. 



We must not forget the hardy spring flowering bulbs. These Dutch 

 bulbs, as they are sometimes named, do much to enliven the spring land- 

 scape. While tulips and hyacinths may be used for geometrical beds, the 

 mixed border is a favorite place for most hardy bulbs. They should be 

 planted in small groups here and there among the hardy plants and shrubs, 

 where one does not hesitate to cut a few flowers, as would be the case in 

 formal beds. October is the month to get these spring bulbs planted. Do 

 not wait till spring comes to get some of these flowers for your grounds. 

 Order early from your seed man the colors you need in August and Sep- 

 tember so as not to be disappointed by substitutions. At a very small 

 outlay of money you can have a gorgeous display in April and May. Tulips 



