FLOWER GARDEN ANNUALS. 



Notwithstanding the hardy and permanent character of 

 perennial flowering plants and flowering shrubs, and their 

 peculiar fitness for gardens and pleasure grounds, where but 

 little care is needed, which will always render them the most 

 popular additions to every ornamental plantation, the Hardy 

 Annuals still have a beauty of their own, and possess quali- 

 ties and merits which few other plants can claim. They 

 are easily raised from seed at the least expense — most of them 

 will grow in any soil, and speedily produce a brilliant effect 

 in their various forms and infinite variety of coloring. The 

 most desolate garden may be made a scene of beauty in 

 scarcely more than a month's time ; and when, from want of 

 time, or neglect to begin in season, the hardy shrubs, peren- 

 nials and bulbs have not been planted out, recourse to these 

 annual flowers will supply their place, and produce an imme- 

 diate effect. 



But we do not think so lightly of these often neglected 

 annuals as to employ them only in case of necessity to fill up 

 a vacant spot — or eke out a small bed — till something better 

 can be obtained. They possess quite too much real beauiy 

 to be thus treated, and may justly claim at least an equal 

 share of favor with the perennial plants. Who does not ad- 

 mire the glowing colors and rich mottling of the favorite 

 Double Balsam, borne on its upright, transparent stem ? 

 " Balsam, with ita shaft of amber :" 



Or the magnificent German Aster, or Heine Margitrette, as 

 the French call it, with its stately branches and large double 

 flowers of every color ? 



Or the flaunting Marigold, which Shakspeare says 



" goes to bed with the sun, 



And with him rises weeping :" 



but the poets, who have so often sung its praises, had refer- 



voL. xxn. — NO. VI. 32 



