THE BEST ANNUALS 217 



Nasturtium — This is a very richly colored flower, 

 mostly in shades of yellow and crimson. It is a great 

 bloomer and a strong grower. Its foliage is a light 

 green, which contrasts well with the bright, rich 

 blossoms. 



Calliopsis — This is the most useful flower for 

 producing strong and rich effects. The colors range 

 through yellow and maroon and are very fine. A 

 bed of it is a most gorgeous sight when seen in sun- 

 shine. Fine for cutting. 



Aster — This is one of the best of all annuals, and 

 the very best for fall use, as it does not come into 

 bloom until late in the season. It is quite as fine in 

 form as the popular Chrysanthemum, which some 

 varieties of it resemble so closely that they are often 

 sold for the latter. It comes in shades of rose, crim- 

 son, violet, blue and pure white, and some varieties 

 combine two or more of these colors in such a manner 

 as to give a very striking flower. The catalogs give 

 a long list of sorts, all of which are good. I prefer 

 to buy packets of seeds in which each color is by itself, 

 rather than the mixed ones, because it is easier to 

 produce fine eflfects with masses of one color than it 

 is where all colors are jumbled up together. This 

 holds good with any flower. 



Pansy — Everyone must have a bed of this mag- 

 nificent flower ; nothing equals it in richness of coloring 

 or variety ; royal purple, yellow, blue, black, white, 

 copper — there is no end to the list of shades combined 

 in the beautiful flowers which it gives us until snow 

 comes. If you can have but one flower in your summer 

 garden let it be the Pansy. 



Balsam — A most excellent plant, bearing great 

 quantities of rose-like flowers, in rich shades of red, 

 purple, pink and white ; no garden complete without it. 



