Gardening for Amateurs 



437 



annuals. The plants grow from 6 to 10 feet 

 high. The variety with rich yellow flowers 

 is a popular annual in many cottage gardens, 

 and at some shows a prize is given for the 

 heaviest Sunflower head. Primrose Perfec- 

 tion (Citrinus) is similar in growth, but has 

 pale yellow or cream-coloured florets. There 

 are double-flowered sorts of both these Sun- 

 flowers. There are also dwarf single and 

 double varieties growing 3 feet high, which 

 are suitable for small 

 gardens. All the 

 above are varieties of 

 the North American 

 Sunflower, Helianthus 

 animus. The Minia- 

 ture Annual Sun- 

 flowers are the pro- 

 geny of H. debilis or 

 H. c u c u mer if oliu s. 

 Growing about 4 feet 

 in height, the freely 

 branched plants pro- 

 duce quantities of 

 flowers for cutting. 

 Distinct named sorts 

 are Stella, rich yellow, 

 dark centre ; Primrose 

 Stella (Diadem), pale 

 lemon-yellow ; Orion, 

 yellow, prettily 

 twisted florets ; Dwarf 

 Miniature (Tom 

 Thumb), compact 

 bushes about 1 foot 

 high producing plenty 

 of yellow flowers. 

 One of the best 

 novelties among an- 

 nuals introduced dur- 

 ing recent years is 

 Sutton's New Red 

 S u n fl o w e r, obtained 

 by crossing H. annuus 

 and the red-banded 

 form of H. lenticularis. 

 Growing about 6 feet 

 high, the plants 

 branch freely, pro- 

 ducing what may be 

 called tricolor 

 flowers, the black cen- 

 tre being surrounded 



with a broad band of chestnut-red and 

 edged with rich yellow. This has been 

 aptly described as the Gaillardia-flowered 

 Sunflower. The Annual Sunflowers are 

 excellent plants for beds and borders, the 

 taller sorts being admirably adapted for 

 shrubbery borders. Seeds may be sown 

 under glass or outside from the middle to 

 the end of March or early April. They 

 will be found to thrive in most soils, 



One of the most popular annuals Godetia. 



