PLANTING HARDY ANNUALS 



165 



are pulled up the portulaca will then occupy the bed for the 

 remainder of the season. 



One of the best hardy annuals for use along the border of 

 the flower garden is the candytuft. This plant has been in 

 cultivation for a long while, and is considered indispensable 

 by every florist and gardener. While the varieties most com- 

 monly grown are white, there are 

 other sorts having carmine, crim- 

 son, and lavender flowers. The 

 easiest way to grow the candytuft 

 is to sow the seed where the flowers 

 are to blossom, thinning as the 

 plants develop. This is one of the 

 best flowers to use in home or 

 school gardens. Sweet alyssum 

 is another low border plant of 

 easy culture. 



One of the most satisfactory 

 hardy annuals for flower beds is 

 the Drummond Phlox. This 

 plant has the advantage of being 

 very easy to grow and of showing 



a great variety of beautiful colors. The so-called dwarf vari- 

 eties which reach a height of eight or ten inches are generally 

 to be preferred to the taller sorts. They bloom for a long 

 period when the seeds are sown out-doors early in May. They 

 should be thinned or transplanted to about eight inches apart. 



The California Poppy is another very desirable hardy 

 annual, which may be sown as soon in spring as the ground 

 can be worked. The gray-green foliage is very attractive 

 in itself and serves as a background for the beautiful bios- 



Drummond Phlox. 



