ANNUAL FLOWERS 53 



From among hardy annuals (or those that can be raised 

 in cold frames) we draw a large number of our everlasting 

 flowers, such as the Rhodanthe, the Helichrysum, the Acro- 

 clinium, and the annual forms of the Statice. Some of the 

 prettiest of the ornamental grasses are also annuals ; these 

 are excellent to use with the everlasting flowers just noted. 

 Briza minima, B. maxima, Lagurus ovatus, Eragrostis elegans, 

 Agrostis nebulosa, and A. pulchella are all beautiful, and they 

 also last well. Where a position can be allotted to hardy 

 annuals alone, they make a most attractive feature, and well 

 repay any extra trouble that may be given them. There is 

 such a diversity in form, in habit, and in growth. We have 

 climbing annuals, bush-like annuals, prostrate annuals, annuals 

 for growing upon walls, and annuals that will thrive where 

 scarcely any other plant will grow. 



We have hardy annuals also that well repay for pot culture, 

 and I have often been surprised that so little use is made of 

 them in that special way. Nothing in the spring is more 

 delightful than pots of Nemophila insignis with the growth 

 completely hiding the pots and studded with its bright blue 

 and white flowers. The Mignonette is grown more than the 

 preceding, but its growth in private gardens is not so good as 

 the trade growers produce for our markets. Its requirements 

 are not, I think, so well understood as they should be. The 

 Viscaria affords another instance of what may be accomplished 

 in pots with hardy annuals, such as V. cardinalis, V. elegans 

 picta, V. oculata, and V. oculata ccerulea, yet these are rarely 

 seen so grown. The distinct advantage of annuals in pots is 

 that they may be cast upon the rubbish-heap when past their 

 best. 



Grouping Hardy Annuals for Colour Effect. Very pleasing 

 effects may be made with annuals alone, or in conjunction 

 with other hardy plants, from the standpoint of colour simply. 

 I have seen in two distinctly different gardens very beautiful 

 effects made with varied shades of blue in one case, and that 

 near to the sea ; and in another with varied shades of pink 

 and mauve, these latter being kept quite apart, although they 

 might have been blended together. To enumerate what 

 might be done in this way in full would take more space 

 than can be afforded ; but the suggestion made may be 

 the means of setting garden-lovers thinking of what may 

 suit their individual tastes, and with a careful selection be 

 suitable to the situation or locality. 



Blue-flowered Annuals. I will enumerate a few blue- 

 flowering annuals that may be so used. Viscaria carulea, a 



