STREPTOCARPUS SUNFLOWER SWEET PEA 267 



through lavender, purple, violet, rose, and red, to rich rosy-purple. 

 This highly decorative plant is easily grown, and seed sown in January 

 and February will produce plants which come into bloom the following 

 June and July. 



SUNFLOWER 



Helianthus annuus. Hardy annual 



THE utility of the Sunflower has been alluded to in a former page. 

 Here we have only to regard the plant in its ornamental character, 

 as an occupant of the shrubbery or flower border. 



In addition to the common species, there are several strains which 

 are adapted to special purposes. The dwarf variety grows about 

 three feet high, and yet produces fine heads of bloom. The ' giant ' 

 attains the enormous height of eight or ten feet in a favourable season, 

 and the flowers are of immense size. The double strain generally 

 reaches six feet in height, and is valuable for its breadth of colour 

 and enduring quality. There is no difficulty, therefore, in making a 

 selection to suit the requirements of any border. The Sunflower can 

 also be employed in one or more rows to make a boundary or to hide 

 an unsightly fence, and some growers use it as a screen for flowers 

 which will not bear full sunshine, 



Seed may be raised very early in the season, and the plants can 

 be brought forward in the manner usual with half-hardy annuals, 

 but there is no necessity for this mode of growing them. Sow in 

 April where the plants are to flower, on soil which has been abun- 

 dantly manured to a depth of eighteen inches, and they will bloom 

 in good time. As a large growth has to be made in a very brief 

 period, water must not be stinted in dry weather. 



SWEET PEA 



Lathyrus odoratus. Hardy climbing annual 



SINCE the Sweet Pea has been taken in hand by skilful hybridisers 

 there has been a large accession of new colours, and at the same time 

 the blossoms have been considerably increased in size without 

 diminishing the free-flowering habit of the plant. On its decorative 

 value in the garden we need not dwell ; but as a subject for the 

 adornment of vases and all purposes for which cut flowers are avail- 

 able, much has yet to be learned. Sweet Peas possess all the qualities 



