Larkspurs The sketch illustrates a striking effect of the blue variety 



and used boldly the whole length of a sloping border and the 

 Sweet Peas. v ig rous wa y m which this Larkspur grows and flowers well 

 into the autumn. Of Snapdragons, which are invariably culti- 

 vated in the manner of half hardy annuals, the tall growing 

 kinds are in every way superior to the dwarf ones. Good 

 self colours, such as Golden Chamois, Rose, Rosy Morn, Cottage 

 Maid, are preferable to the bicolours and fancies. In Scotland 

 these grow four to six feet in height. The intermediate varieties 

 are useful for massing, but the Tom Thumb varieties, which 

 by some folks are favoured above the others, are scarcely worthy 

 of a place in the garden. 



Naturally, annuals are largely dependent for their effect on 

 the way in which they are employed. The Sweet Pea, for 

 instance, if cultivated as a garden plant to produce the greatest 

 beauty possible, should be selected in colours and set as a hedge 

 beside a long grass walk. The sketch shows a skilful employ- 

 ment of them in a long border of annuals. The short hedges- 

 each one formed by a different variety of Sweet Pea are set 

 across the bed, and divide it into a series of cosy compartments, 

 which are very convenient for growing patches of other 

 annuals, such as the single Aster Chinensis. It is becoming usual 

 to plant Sweet Peas in round masses, as single pillars or pyra- 

 mids, but none of these give as good an effect as a hedge. 

 The common Marigold may, according to management, be a 

 mere weed or a desirable garden flower. A mass of Orange 

 King, intermixed with early raised seedlings of sky-blue Del- 

 phiniums, or of Verbena venosa, Salvia pat en s^ or S. Horminum, 

 produces a splendid autumn effect. French Marigolds of all 

 kinds, African Marigolds (which should be grown in reserve 



