SUMMER FLOWERS FOR FLORISTS. 



423 



service, and that there is nothing yet to 

 surpass them ior general usefulness amongst 

 summer flowering begonias. 



And now a word on outdoor flowering 

 plants in summer, ist — Annuals, the pret- 

 tiest, most varied and unfortunately, I must 

 add, in many cases the most fickle and un- 

 certain class of plants grown. 



It is gratifying to know, however, that 

 there has been, during the last few years, 

 more especially on the part of seedsmen and 

 seed growers, a greater eff^ort made, not 

 only to introduce new species, but to im- 

 prove generally the various strains and 

 types of these useful adjuncts to a florists' 

 establishment. 



Time will not permit me to but barely 

 touch on the subject of annuals, as it is un- 

 necessary for me to even mention the staple 

 varieties of many of them, such as Asters, 

 Sweet Peas, Mignonette, Nasturtiums, 

 Stocks, Phlox Drummondii, Cosmos, as 

 well as Anthirrinums, Petunias and Ver- 

 benas — the last three being now generally 

 acknowledged for all practical purposes as 

 annuals — as all of these are well known to 

 all classes of flower lovers, as evidenced by 

 the beautiful display now on exhibition in 

 connection with this convention. 



But there are a comparatively few new 

 varieties and types that may, perhaps, not 

 be as generally known and cultivated as 



Fig. 24' 4. Annu. l CHRvrA themum. 



Fig. 2405. Malope Grandiflora Rosea. 



those 1 have mentioned. Take first of all 

 the annual chrysanthemum. The beautiful 

 colors and markings, as well as ease of 

 culture, good keeping qualities, etc., well 

 entitle these to the notice of all florists. 

 For table and room decorative work, more 

 especially, these annual chrysanthemums 

 will be found to be invaluable. By sowing 

 the seed early in the season, their decided 

 and pretty flowers can be had early in Aug- 

 ust and September in abundance. 



Another species of plants that will furnish 

 material for florists' use, are the Malopes 

 and Lavaterus. These improved types of 

 the Mallow class of plants will be found of 

 great service for decorative purposes and 

 for loose cut flowers. Malope grandiflora 

 alba and Malope grandiflora rosea being 

 the two varieties most useful to florists. 

 Lavatera rosea splendens, Lavatera alba 

 splendens and Lavatera trimestrie are good 

 varieties, their large, showy, mallow-like 

 flowers being often several inches in diam- 

 eter ; and for a convolvulus shaped flower 

 their keeping qualities are very good, as I 

 have, by experimenting with them in this 

 respect, kept their flowers and foliage quite 



