Haich 8, WK. ] 



JOUKNAX OP HOBTICULTUEE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



177 



A FEW GOOD ANNUALS. 



T would seem that annuals, 

 after experiencing several 

 changes of public opinion, 

 are again likely to come 

 into favour. Some of tliis 

 very extensive class of 

 plants have always been held in high estimation, others 

 not so much as they deserve, many are of little value for 

 decorative purposes, and every year new ones make their 

 appearance. Thus the lists of the seedsmen are swelled to 

 such a degree that they would become bewildering were it 

 not for the descriptions given of the plants enumerated ; 

 but such notices are hardly suilicient, and the amateur 

 linds himself in a diihculty wb.en he undertakes the task 

 of selecting twenty species out of a list of as many liun- 

 di'eds. In endeavouring to do tliis, altliough he may 

 recognise some familiar aiiuiiintances among the names 

 presented to him, lie not unlikely, and very properly too, 

 wishes to have something which he has not had before, 

 and he wants that to he good. In taking the advice of the 

 catalogue he finds that a far greater number than he wants 

 are mentioned in terms of commendation or high com- 

 mendation : indeed, there are but few species ottered for 

 sale that do not admit of something being said in their 

 praise. This is all very well, for it is no part of the seeds- 

 man's duty to record anything but the bright side of the 

 (juestion, the otlier side is for the buyer to tiud out. or, at 

 aU events, it is for some one to do so for him. The latter 

 is by no means an easy task, as there exists such a diver- 

 sity of opinion tliat no one can curtail a list t'l any extent 

 witliout shuttmg out what, perhaps, his neighbour would 

 rcgai'd as deser\'ing of being retained. Nevertheless, it 

 must be admitted that most of om' catalogues of flower seeds 

 want a good weeding. One firm, a year or two ago (I 

 believe it was the Messrs. Henderson), did put forth a list 

 of such annuals as they tliought might be discarded, and 

 they did not receive the thanks which sucli a judicious 

 step deserved ; but as considerable additions are made 

 every year, a good thinning out must at length be effected. 

 It is not, however, my intention to go into this at present, 

 but to call attention to a few of the most popular annuals 

 which have come under m\' notice as deserving a place in 

 most collections. At the same time I would invite others 

 to point out those which may he eijually deserving, and if 

 some one would imdertake the herculean task of telling us 

 how many names in some of the largi>r seed catalogues 

 ought to have the pen drawn tlirough them he would con- 

 fer much benefit on tlie community. Beginning, tlierefore, 

 with a few amiuals that are generally known, the notes on 

 each will be very brief. 

 Asters. — These have been multiplied to a fault ; but the 



No. 2SS.-V0L. X., New Series. 



amateur might grow the French varieties, which are broad- 

 petalled, and some arc more or less recurved, and tlie 

 (ierman or Chinese Aster, which ia quilled. The varieties 

 of each are endless. 



PirrrNiAs. ■ — Though not strictly annuals, yet these 

 flower \vell in the iirst season, and generally do much better 

 than plants raised from cuttings. If seed from good 

 purjiles could be depended on as coming true, they would 

 be invaluable, as they continue flowering till frost. 



ZiN.NiAs, — Good varieties of the single look well, and the 

 double still better : but the latter are not so robust. As a 

 plant there is a stiu'diness about the Zinnia deserWng 

 attention. 



Laukspurs. — These are most beautiful when they sow 

 themselves and flower where they come up. They trans- 

 plant badly, and the slugs being very fond of them in a 

 young state, they cannot be depended on when sown where 

 tliey are to remain, especially if in a continuous row ; 

 otherwise their beauty entitles them to a place everywhere. 

 The perennial kinds bear transplantuig well enough. 



Stocks. — German and Ten-week exhibit great \'ariety of 

 colour, and a good proportion of double flowers may be 

 generally obtained. Both are favourites. 



Helichhyspms. — Good varieties of those are not only 

 showy all the latter part of summer and autumn, but they 

 furnish materials for wmter bouquets. A row of about 

 250 feet ill length, which we had last summer, was most use- 

 fid. In good ground they become nearly as tall as Dalilias. 



Phi.o.v DRrMMoxni. — On soils suitable to this plant it 

 rivals the Verbena, alike in the variety of colour and free- 

 dom of blooming. It requires, however, a rather moist 

 situation, or a soil inclining to peat. 



I'oRTft,.\cAs. — A dry sunny bank is best for them, and 

 there they are not excelled by anytlung I know for the 

 variety and brilliancy of their c<ilouring. The plant con- 

 tinues a long time in bloom, but it does not succeed well 

 everywhere, and at times there seems to be a sort of 

 capriciousness about it difficult to understand. 



Cai.t.ioi'sis, — Atldiisonii and one or two others are very 

 good, but they are late-flowering, still then- bloom may be 

 hastened by sowing in autiunn. \'arieties of a more dwarf 

 habit are wanted. 



Ci.arkia iTi.cHEi.LA and its many varieties have long 

 been favourites, great improvement, however, has taken 

 place of late years. One called integripetala is as good 

 as any. 



Coi.T.iNSTA nicoj.oR.' — Nothing can be more beautiful than 

 this flower, but, unfortunately, it remains only a very short 

 time in bloom, so that its admission into beds composing a 

 series is of questionable propriety, except for the few days 

 it is out. A similar objection holds good with Nemophila, 

 SchizantluLS, and some other showy annuals, 



Trixce's FioATHER. — This old annual is by no means^ so 

 much grown as it ought to be, nothhig can be more rich 

 than it often is. It is of easy culture, and continues in 

 flower till November. 



LciVE-T.iEs-iiLEEiiiXG, like the last, is also a beautiful 

 plant, (littering only from it in tl e racemes being pendulous 

 instead of upright. 



No. PlO.-VoL. XXXV., Old Series. 



