THE COMPOSITE ANNUALS 



The great family of composite plants of which the 

 sunflower, thistle, and daisy are familiar examples in- 

 cludes several of the most beautiful annuals. The type 

 of flower in this family is capable of great variation 

 through the modification of the form, size, and color of 

 the Httle florets crowded together in a head. Conse- 

 quently in most of the annuals belonging to the composite 

 family there are many types of form and color. Five 

 of the most important of these flowers are the Cosmos, 

 China Aster, Marigolds, Bachelor's Button, and Zinnia. 



Cosmos 



The Cosmos is one of the newest garden annuals. It 

 was introduced only during later years of the nineteenth 

 century. Mexico was the original home of the plant. 

 The varieties first offered grew very tall and bloomed 

 very late, but by careful selection dwarf earlier-flowering 

 forms were soon developed. Most of these bore white, 

 pink, or crimson flowers and were derived from the species 

 called Cosmos hipinnatus, but lately new forms derived 

 from the yellow-flowered Cosmos sulphureus, also a 

 native of Mexico, have been introduced. The variety 

 Klondike is a hybrid between the two species. The 

 largest flower yet produced is shown by the beautiful 

 pink variety Lady Lenox. 



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