SOFT-WOODED OR BEDDING PLANTS. 207 



Salvias, (Scarlet and Blue Sage). No plant that is used 

 for the flower border holds a higher reputation amongst 

 amateurs than these, particularly the former. Its bright 

 scarlet, feather-like plumes are unrivalled from July to 

 October, and in warmer latitudes continue for months 

 later. It is best raised from seeds sown in the green-house 

 or hot-bed in March and planted out in May. The blue 

 sage (S. patens) seeds very sparingly, and is generally 

 raised from cuttings. Its shade of blue is unsurpassed by 

 any flower of the garden, but the flowers drop quickly 

 and it never shows the density of spike of the scarlet 

 sorts. 



Tuberose. See special chapter. 



Tropaeolum. Hybrids. (Nasturtiums.) The dwarf sorts 

 of these are very desirable, blooming without intermission 

 from June to October. The scarlet varieties, in particular, 

 are exceedingly showy ; when grown on poor, dry soil or 

 among rocks they show to much better advantage, as rich 

 soil causes them to produce leaves so abundantly as to hide 

 the flowers. They are for this reason well adapted for 

 vases, as they stand heat and drought well. There are 

 some beautiful yellow varieties marked with crimson ; also 

 some of a dark maroon, almost black, but, as we have be- 

 fore said, the bright scarlet sorts are most desirable. 



Violets. See special chapter. 



Verbenas. See special chapter. 



Zinnias, Double. Although these are now common 

 enough as annual plants, their great value as ornaments for 

 the flower garden deserves brief notice. To have them de- 

 velop in perfection they should be sown under glass in 

 March or April and planted out in May. The first flowers 

 usually do not come double, but towards the end of sum- 

 mer, if the seed be of a good "strain," flowers will be 

 produced rivalling the Dahlia in symmetry, and of varied 

 and novel shades of coloring. 



