ANNUALS. 



245 



in May. When the seed is good, Asters and Stocks are the most 

 desirable of all annuals, and a nice bed is a beautiful sight. Good 

 seed is rather expensive ; hence it is a luxury in which I do not always 

 indulge. 



The Scabious (Scabiosa atro-purpureus, fig. 492) — either large- 

 flowered or dwarf — is a nice flower, and it is well to have a plant- 

 dotted about here and there. The seed may be sown in the open 

 border early in May. 



A very showy flower for summer blossom is the Convolvulus minor 

 (fig- 493)> ^^ colours of which are chiefly white, purple, blue and 

 white, and violet. It is a very handsome flower, and useful when 

 judiciously introduced into the flower-bed. 



Fig. 493. -Convolvulus minor. Fig. 494.— Sweet Sultan. Fig, 495.— Evening Primrose. 



Lupins are another class of annuals having merit, and yet so very 

 inferior to the perpetual Lupins, as not to be required when the latter 

 are grown. There are many eff"ective varieties which may be introduced 

 sparingly into the general flower-bed. Like all other annuals, single 

 plants are beautiful, but a dense mass is unsightly. The Sweet 

 Sultan {Centaurea moschata, fig. 494) may also be sparingly grown in 

 the flower-beds. 



The Evening Primrose— a charming plant, which I have seen 

 growing wild by the side of the Danube {(Enothera biennis, fig. 495) 

 —has a bright yellow flower ; it grows about three feet high, and 

 may be usefully introduced into the garden. It is a good London 

 plant, and I have had them for many years from self-sowing in 

 Finsbury Circus. The perfume of the flower is delicate and the 



