SOME HOMELY FLOWERS 



Snapdragons cannot be omitted from the list of homely 

 flowers, for they have all the attributes except, perhaps, 

 that of fragrance demanded by the standard I have 

 set up. Who would have thought, a few years ago, of 

 growing named varieties of Snapdragons ? Nowadays 

 it is well worth while, because some of the most lovely of 

 all have been honoured with names by the raisers. And 

 how exquisite they are ! For instance, Vesuvius and 

 Orange King, brillianc orange red ; Lemon Queen, lemon 

 coloured ; Carmine Pink, a most charming shade, though 

 the name is none too appealing ; Fire King, rose and white, 

 and so on. One may have Snapdragons in tall, inter- 

 mediate, and dwarf varieties. The last mentioned are to 

 be preferred least of all. The plants are inclined to be 

 " dumpy." 



Snapdragons are so easily grown, and last so many 

 months in bloom, that no home garden should be with- 

 out them. It is far better to treat them as annuals, 

 sowing the seed each spring, for even if the old plants 

 pass through the winter safely which is doubtful 

 they are always more or less " leggy " the second year, 

 and inclined to produce their flowers at the top of long, 

 bare stems. One may sow the seed in a warm greenhouse 

 in January or February, in an unheated greenhouse in 

 March, or out of doors on a warm border in early April. 

 The plants will come into bloom in June, July, and 

 August respectively, and thus a succession of blossom 

 is maintained the summer and autumn through. The 



183 



