6o BOOK OF OLD-FASfflONED FLOWERS 



annual flowering plants are summer bloomers. Many of 

 them are among the most beautiful, and certainly among 

 the most showy, of our garden occupants. Sweet-peas, 

 Convolvuli and Nasturtiums are as beautiful as any per- 

 ennial climber ; and one has but to name Cornflowers, 

 Mignonette, Coreopsis, Escholtzias and the glorious and 

 gaudy army of Poppies in order to show what a garden 

 of annuals may offer in the months of summer. 



I know of no floral sight more brilliant than that of a 

 garden full of poppies in full bloom. Each flower is 

 bright almost to gaudiness, yet with petals so thin and 

 flimsy that no insect can rest on them, and each cup is 

 accordingly furnished with a substantial alighting stage 

 in its centre. Shirley poppies in every shade of red ; 

 Iceland poppies in every shade of white, yellow and 

 orange ; scarlet Tulip poppies ; white Alpine poppies 

 — one knows not which to prefer. The poets have 

 generally used the poppy only for its assistance in point- 

 ing a moral. Thus, for example. Burns — 



■' Pleasures are like poppies spread — 

 You seize the flower, its bloom is shed." 



" Faire without and foule within" has generally 

 summed up its popular reputation, though Ruskin has 

 spoken with appreciation of its beauty and delicacy. 



All the hardy annuals are easy to grow, their require- 

 ments being ample sunshine, deeply dug soil, finely 

 broken up and moderately, though not excessively, 

 enriched, and ample space for individual development. 

 Where failure occurs, it may usually be traced to omis- 

 sion of one or other of these conditions — most commonly, 

 perhaps, of the one last named. There are few annuals 

 which will thrive in the shade, though Forget-me-nots, 

 Venus's Looking-glass and Nemophilas will succeed in 

 damp situations if the shade be not too intense. 



Personally, although I should not like to grow annuals 



