Select Flower- Seeds and Flowering-P lants. 89 



intus albafoUs argento marmoratis for about the same sum. I think, how- 

 ever, that he would get more name than beauty of flower : there is some- 

 thing in a name. There is some humbug in catalogues as well as in other 

 matters. It will be my object, in the articles I contemplate, to give selec- 

 tions of some of the most choice out of the long lists of ornamental plants 

 which are presented to the public, with flourish of trumpets, in many 

 catalogues. 



The following species of annuals, with their varieties, if well cultivated 

 in good soil, cannot fail to make the garden gay from July to November. 

 For the early spring and June flowers, dependence must be placed upon 

 perennial herbaceous plants, including spring-flowering bulbs. The aster, 

 now called Callistcphus sinensis, in all its splendid improved varieties, may 

 be considered one of the most important flowers for August and September. 

 Snapdragon (^Antitrhinuni viajus and nanum), of many colors, although a 

 biennial in dry soil, flowers the first year from seed, from July to hard frost ; 

 sweet alyssum [Alyssum mariiinium), always in bloom ; double camellia 

 and rose improved balsams {Impatiais balsamina), not good for bouquets, 

 but, when in spikes, fine for dishes and vases ; Calliopsis, formerly Coreopsis, 

 Calliopsis Drummondi, and some of the new dwarf var. ; cockscomb {Celosia 

 ciistatd) ; candytuft {Iberis), in various colors ; larkspur, double var. ; Delphi- 

 nium consolida and Ajacis ; pinks, flowering from seed the first year, or bienni- 

 als ; Dianthus, Heddewigi, imperialis, c/iinensis, in splendid varieties ; everlast- 

 ing flowers {Hdiihrysums), in variety ; sweet-peas {Lathyrus odoratus) ; petu- 

 nia, hybrid varieties ; Drummond phlox, brilliant colors from pure white to 

 scarlet and dark crimson ; portulaca, all colors, fine for masses ; mignonette 

 {Reseda odoratd) ; mourning-bride (Seabiosa atropurpured), sporting into many 

 colors and shades from pure white to almost black, in bloom from July to 

 November ; ten-weeks stock {Maihiola annua), numerous varieties and colors, 

 in bloom to November ; marigold, the old-fashioned flower, and the new dwarf 

 Tageies signata pumila ; pansy ( Viola trieolor grandiflora), a great favorite 

 with all ; double zinnia {Zinnia elegans fl. plena), one of the modern and most 

 beautiful novelties ; Tom Thumb nasturtium {Tropmolum nanum), choice bed- 

 ding-plants of various colors ; four-o'clock {Mirabalis Jalapa), a great favor- 

 ite with some, but cannot be used for bouquets, or any other way for table 

 ornament. 



