ANNUALS 239 



Annuals, unlike perennials, can be started in many instances at 

 different periods during the season, in order to insure a succession of 

 bloom. There is a normal period required between the time of seed- 

 ing and the time of blooming, and if this period is definitely known, 

 then at intervals of not less than ten days or two weeks three or four 

 successive sowings may be made in the early and late spring so that a 

 continuous succession of bloom from these plants may be obtained 

 during the summer months. Typical of these plants are the phlox, 

 forget-me-not, and baby's breath. 



Most of our annuals can be sown, if necessary, in the open ground. 

 There are a few types, however, which must be started in seed beds, 

 either in a greenhouse or in hot frames, in order to produce good bloom 

 before the frost injures the tops. These types include the China asters, 

 cosmos, ten-weeks' stock, petunia, and butterfly flower, all of which re- 

 quire a longer season for the period of maturing after seeding. Many 

 times when the seeds of these plants are sown late, the plants reach 

 their mature development and are on the point of producing flowers 

 when they are suddenly injured by an early frost. 



It often becomes necessary or desirable to supplement plantings of 

 perennial or woody vines, which are naturally slow growing, with 

 annual quick-growing vines, to cover fences and lattice work. It is 

 seldom that perennial vines can, be planted and produce an adequate 

 covering for a lattice work or fence during the first year. The time 

 required for the full development of such woody vines as the clematis, 

 bitter-sweet, and rose is from two to three years. In such instances the 

 cup and saucer vine, hop vine, cardinal vine, and the morning glory 

 can be planted to fill the bare areas during the first year or two. Many 

 of these annual vines have a heavy foliage, valuable for screen effects, 

 and the writer has therefore divided this group into two sub-groups, in- 

 dicating those with delicate foliage and those with heavy foliage. 



LIST OF ANNUALS 



A. Annuals Especially Valuable for Cut Flowers. The 

 group of annuals which are valuable for cut flowers is much greater than 

 might be anticipated. This group is comprehensive and those plants 

 which are marked with a star (*) are the most interesting types, and pro- 

 vide the greatest abundance of cut flowers. The other annuals in the 

 group are valuable for cut flowers, but should not be selected unless 

 ample space exists so that the more important types also can be grown. 



