THB IITDISPENSABLB ANNUALS, 135 



Poppy. — The annual poppies are very striking in 

 color and graceful in form. They always seem at home 

 in the mixed border, harmonizing with almost anything. 

 The Shirley poppies are especially desirable, but there is 

 hardly a variety grown which is not an acquisition. 



EiciNus, Castor-oil bean.— These plants, of several 

 different species, give grand summer effects. The vari- 

 eties with dark foliage are especially beautiful. Should 

 be started early. 



Stocks. — Old favorites, but neglected in late years. 

 Very useful in the border. 



Sunflowers. — Several sorts, all useful on account 

 of the emj^hasis they give to certain points in the border 

 planting. Plant early. 



Sweet Pea. — One of the finest plants known for 

 cut flowers and quite indispensable, but not well adapted 

 to the hardy border. They are usually best put by 

 themselves, where they may have a trellis and good cul- 

 tivation. They should be sown in the open ground at 

 the earliest possible moment in the spring, or may even 

 be sown in the fall. The selection of varieties is wholly 

 a matter of j^ersonal taste. There are several useful 

 little manuals which the sweet pea lover should consult. 



Verbexa. — The low, prostrate habit of verbenas 

 does not best suit them to mixed j^lantings in the nat- 

 ural method. A few of them may be used, however, in 

 certain parts of the border, especially where the plant- 

 ings come directly beside a footpath. 



ZixxTAs. — Well-known, old-fashioned flowers, but 

 useful in many places. The newer varieties show some 

 fine shades of color. 



