112 MAKING OF A FLOWER GARDEN 



The ageratums are equally floriferous. Both the sin- 

 gle and double petunias are exceptionally fine in boxes 

 and choice should be made of the large or giant 

 fringed sorts with their wonderful coloring and deep 

 throats. Scarlet and white verbenas and white candy- 

 tuft — this latter should have fresh sowings at inter- 

 vals of two weeks — nasturtiums (these more espe- 

 cially for porch boxes) ; the dwarf scarlet zinnias, 

 schizanthus, lobelias, dwarf morning glories, all may 

 be utilized for window boxes at a cost of a few dimes. 

 As a general thing window boxes call for trailing 

 rather than climbing vines, but there is usually much 

 sameness in selection, trailing vinca, moneywort and 

 the like being too often in evidence. Vinca, however, 

 is very attractive if rather stiff, but is improved by 

 nipping off the ends to induce it to branch, when it 

 looks less lank. The variegated ivy geraniums are 

 more attractive and have the added beauty of abun- 

 dant and lovely bloom. Wandering Jew in the colored 

 forms is especially good and for east and north win- 

 dows the trailing fuchsias, abutilons and begonias are 

 all beautiful and produce a most artistic box. There 

 is one plant which I especially affect for north and 

 east boxes — Panicum excurrens or palm grass. This 

 is not listed by northern florists, but can be procured 

 from any southern florist and is very striking with its 

 long palm like leaves about three inches wide and as 



