246 BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS 



whole of its career in the open air ; a half-hardy Annual, one that 

 is raised under glass and afterwards planted out ; a tender Annual, 

 one that lives out its life under glass. 



Hardy and half-hardy Annuals may be used for bulb beds, 

 mixed borders, banks, and even paths where unjointed stones are 

 used. Some of the most important, notably Asters, make charming 

 beds without the support of any other plants ; but informality is 

 gained by associating them with other things. Thus, Asters may 



be mixed with coloured Tobacco 

 (Nicotianas) or Salpiglossis, both 

 of which are taller and have a 

 lighter habit. The dwarf Stocks 

 make delightful borders. Phlox 

 Drummondii forms beds rivalling 

 those of Verbenas, which were 

 such great favourites for bedding 

 in years gone by. Poppies make 



ANNUALS SOWING SEEDS IN BORDERS , 1 i 1 i / i i 



splendid breaks of vivid colour, 



A shows how to prepare the ground for large clumps A 



of Annuals; B shows how to arrange smaller anc j w ill thHvC On both light 

 clumps ; C shows how to arrange clumps of tall 



Annuals near the back of the border ; D, grass and heavy Soils. The singles are 

 verge ; E, path. 



ephemeral, but the doubles last long. 



The rank and file of Annuals perhaps prove the most useful as 

 clumps near the fronts of mixed borders, but a few selected kinds 

 may be utilised to make up beds of themselves ; and if the hints 

 on culture which are to be given are followed they will probably 

 vie with any other beds in the garden. The objection that the 

 plants quickly lose their beauty does not weigh with us. They are 

 fugitive when badly grown, but not when well grown. Such things 

 as Clarkias, double white Matricaria (the single is a poor thing, 

 seeds tremendously, becomes a nuisance, and should therefore not 

 be admitted), Godetias, and double Poppies have done us yeoman 

 service in beds, flowering brilliantly and long. Look, too, at the 

 persistence of Nasturtiums. They grow right into the autumn 



