144 SCHOOL AND HOME GARDENING 



country the hardy annuals, such as sweet peas, are planted in 

 the fall in the open ground and left there during winter. If 

 they sprout before freezing weather, a little protection may be 

 needed in the form of leaves or similar mulch. 



The terms annual and perennial are rather indefinite, as the 

 climate changes the character of many plants. Plants which 

 are tender annuals in the north may be considered hardy or 

 live for several years in the extreme southern states. 



Hardy Annuals. — In the middle states the following 

 plants are considered ha,rdy annuals: Ageratum, aster, calen- 

 dula, calliopsis, California poppy^ candytuft, larkspur, gilia, 

 morning-glory, marigold, mignonette, phlox, pinks, portulaca, 

 sweet alyssum, sweet pea, stocks and zinnia. 



Tender Annuals. — Examples of annuals which are rather 

 tender in the middle states are balloon vine, balsam, cosmos, 

 cockscomb, cobea, caladium (bulb), castor beans, dahlia 

 gourds, martynia, nasturtium, petunia, sensitive-plant, and 

 verbena. 



Planting Annuals. — Very few of the annuals thrive in 

 shady places. Most of them prefer sunny exposures (Fig. 

 86). They prefer good garden soil and most of them will 

 be better when a liberal amount of well-rotted stable manure 

 is added. The soil should be prepared by deep spading or 

 plowing. It should be raked well and firmed down by tramp- 

 ing or by the use of a board on which the planter stands while 

 he is planting. Most annual flower seeds should be planted 

 shallow and pressed firmly to cause them to sprout promptly. 

 They may be planted along the borders of lawns (Fig. 86) 

 or any special beds where they will add to the beauty of the 

 general planting scheme. Care should be exercised to prevent 

 grass roots and tree roots from robbing the moisture and fer- 

 tility from flower beds. The use of a spade around the mar- 

 gins to cut off such roots is recommended. \Y[\en flower beds 

 are planted tall varieties are planted near the center or distant 

 side, with lower varieties around or in front of tliom. Yerv 



