ANNUALS 241 



TORENIA (Wishbone Flower). T. Fournieri is none too 

 common yet as a half-hardy annual. Although it will germinate 

 outside it takes too long a time in blooming. Owing to the color 

 of the flowers (diilerent shades of violet) it is desirable, as bedding 

 plants of that color are not plentiful. T. asiatica and T. flava 

 (Baillonii) are well suited for basket or vase work, as they are of a 

 procumbent habit. T. Fournieri is of erect growth. 



Propagation. Sow indoors middle of March and allow the 

 seedlings to gain a considerable headway before potting. 



TROPy^OLUM (Nasturtium). T. majus and dwarf forms 

 and T. Lobbianum are well known and useful as climbers, or for 

 planting in beds. All of them are quite tender, and should be put 

 out rather late. With the exception of the double flowered forms 

 which are perpetuated by cuttings, those varieties commonly 

 grown are raised annually from seeds. The seed must not be sown 

 too early, because they make rapid progress, and are apt to produce 

 spindling growth in small pots. 



VERBENA, The varieties of V. hybrida used to be kept true 

 to name, the plants lifted in the Fall and cuttings taken in early 

 Spring. Seeds can now be depended upon to furnish the finest flow- 

 ering plants. V. venosa, an herbaceous species, with heads of purple 

 flowers, is hardy in the Middle States. V . erinoides is a small- 

 flowering sort of trailing habit useful for a hanging basket. 



Propagation. Seed should be sown in February and the 

 seedlings potted as soon as large enough. Pinching should be done 

 early to make the plants branch and have them in bloom by plant- 

 ing-out time. V. venosa is rather bulbous rooted and maj' be 

 divided in the early part of April. 



ZINNIA (Youth and Old Age). The Zinnias are some of the 

 most vigorous of all annuals; they are rather coarse, but the colors 

 are handsome. Z. elegans, with its attractive, large flowering and 

 crested forms, is very popular. Z. Haageana is a dwarf species of 

 use for edging beds of the other sorts; the flowers of this species 

 are shades of orange. 



Propagation. Sow seed about the end of March and prick off 

 into boxes of rather rich soil. Harden them off in a frame before 

 planting out. 



