56 t THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



Gaillardias, which are such poor perennials in many soils, are in 

 some cases better raised as annuals, and there are annual kinds 

 of value. The Gilias are very pretty, varied, and hardy, and some 

 very dwarf, forming a carpet for taller plants. 



The Godetias, allied to the Evening Primroses, are handsome 

 when well grown, especially the white and simple coloured kinds, 

 and where they live over the winter, from autumn sowing, they 

 are very strong and handsome the following year. The many 

 varieties of the annual Ipomaea are graceful, there being much 

 charming variety among the blooms, and with these may be named 

 the various kinds of Convolvulus minor, which does not climb. Lavatera 

 and Malope are handsome plants in the autumn garden, as are the 

 Lupins, well grown, and the new Nemesia from the Cape is charming, 

 The white Tobacco and the true Tobacco are handsome in warm 

 soils. We think the various Nigellas very interesting, while every 

 one should have the annual Phloxes, now to be had in such good 

 colours, and the Portulacas, which are so showy on warm borders. 

 The Salpiglossis is a beautiful plant, especially where we take the 

 trouble to select the simpler colours, the amber coloured one being 

 very fine. The Sweet Scabious has charming varieties, and is often 

 very fine in colour, though not so good on heavy and cool soils. 



The Sweet Sultans are pretty, and useful for cutting for the 

 house, and Love-lies-bleeding (Amaranthus) and its allies are 

 quaintly effective. The Snapdragons, which are often treated as 

 annuals, are frequently excellent when grown in their simple colours, 

 the striped kinds not being nearly so good in effect. The annual 

 Poppies are essential where a good display is hoped for from 

 annuals, also the Mexican and Californian Poppies. Such hand- 

 some plants as the varieties of Tropaeolum are also many of them 

 beautiful annuals. Among plants of, perhaps, less importance than 

 some of the preceding, the following may be mentioned : Bartonia, 

 Brachycome, Calandrinia, Cosmidium, Nolana, Didiscus, Kaulfussia, 

 Linum, Lobelia, Martynia, Mesembryanthemum, Nycterinia, Platy- 

 stemon, Saponaria, Senecio, Stenactis, and Xeranthemum, as afford- 

 ing some good plants for those interested in flower gardening with 

 annual and biennial plants. 



It is not every one who has the means to winter a large number 



of tender bedding plants, and the keeping of a large stock involves 



much work, and takes up space that might be 



Half-hardy plants better occupied. But a garden may be made very 



as annuals. gay in summer with half-hardy plants raised from 



seed, and without keeping a single plant over the 



winter in the greenhouse. In seedlings there may be differences in 



habit and colour, but this should be no objection. There are a few 



