394 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



list of a few good annuals for a town garden : Marigold (but 

 only a few ; it is a terrible weed, if so bright and wholesome 

 looking a flower can be described in this way), Celosias, from 

 seed sown under glass in spring ; Aster sinensis, a handsome, 

 tall, purple single flower; one of the China Asters (sow seed in 

 heat in spring), Chrysanthemum tricolor or burridgeanmn, the 

 beautiful major and minor Convolvuluses, Coreopsis, Chinese 

 and Indian Pinks, the old-world Extinguisher-flower (Esch- 

 scholtzia), Gypsophila elegans, Everlastings (if they are cared 

 for), Lupins, Mignonette, the blue Nemophila, Love-in-a-Mist 

 (Nigella), Poppies (these are very beautiful, especially the 

 " Shirley" kinds, but they must be well thinned), Phlox 

 Drummondii, Salpiglossis, Scabious, Stocks (these should be 

 freely planted for colour and perfume), Sweet Peas, Fox- 

 gloves (biennial), Verbenas, Virginian Stock, and Zinnias, 

 quaint flowers of various colours, raised in heat in spring. 



Summer Flowers. When the garden boasts a little green- 

 house, many things known as "bedders" can be raised, but 

 this is only possible where artificial warmth can be given 

 during the winter. Many town gardens, and others for that 

 matter, are rendered bright chiefly through the agency of 

 summer bedding plants, the " Geraniums," or Zonal Pelar- 

 goniums as they should be called, Tuberous Begonias, 

 Zinnias, Dahlias, Ageratums, Celosias, Cockscombs, the China 

 Asters, dwarf Lobelias, the Tobaccos, especially the sweet- 

 scented Nicotiana affinis and the newer N. sylvestris, which 

 has white tubular flowers which do not flag or close up under 

 a hot sun as in the case of N. affinis ; Petunias, very success- 

 ful in town gardens, bright flowers of many colours sow seed 

 in spring under glass ; Verbenas, easily raised in gentle heat 

 in spring, and if very large plants are required, Cannas (not 

 usually very happy near towns), and such big-leaved things as 

 the Castor-oil Plant. As a rule, however, exclude everything 

 of tall spreading growth, otherwise the garden will contain 

 nothing else, and before the summer is half over be a choke- 

 muddle place, full of unruly growths and struggling vegeta- 

 tion, all striving for the mastery, and a hunting-ground for 

 slugs and snails. 



Climbers. The beginner is frequently perplexed as to the 

 Climbers to select for the wall of the house or to clamber over 

 a summer-house or arch. Of annuals the Japanese Hop is 

 remarkably vigorous. Seed sown in March, or even in early 

 April, will result in plants that will clamber over trellis or 

 summer-house in one season. Climbing Tropaeolums (Nas- 

 turtiums), Convolvuluses, or the Canary Creeper, with light 

 green growth and bright yellow flowers, are available. This 



