>20 FLOWERS FOR AMERICAN GARDENS 



PETUNIAS. 



Owing to the quick growth and profusion of bright flowers the 

 Petunia is very useful to sow at odd times as portions of the flower- 

 beds become bare, as when the spring bulbs or early flowering 

 perennials have died down and something of quick growth is needed 

 to take their place. 



Sow in light soil, in shallow boxes (2 inches deep), placed in hot- 

 bed, greenhouse or window, in a temperature averaging 60 to 70 

 deg.; cover the seeds to not over four times their size, press down 

 with a board firmly, water with a fine spray, and do not allow the 

 small seedlings to dry out. Transplant 1 inch apart into similar 

 boxes when they have formed 2 or 3 leaves, and plant out in the 

 open garden after danger from frost, or pot in 2 -inch pots and plant 

 out from these, or shift into larger pots as the pot fills with roots, 

 providing large plants in pots are desired. 



PHLOX DRUMMONDII, Grandiflora. 



For beds and massing nothing can surpass these beautiful an- 

 nuals. They produce immense trusses of large brilliant flowers of 

 numberless hues throughout the summer. 1 K feet high. They are 

 of easy culture, succeeding in all sunny positions, beginning to 

 bloom in eariy summer from spring-sown seed and continuing until 

 close of autumn. Culture same as Poppies on this page. 

 HARDY PHLOX. Large-Flowering Hybrids. 



Noble-flowering plants for permanent beds in the garden and 

 herbaceous border, bearing immense panicles of large and bright- 

 colored flowers, among which some new and beautiful colors and 

 shades are likely to be found, as well as. the usual range through 

 reds from vermillion to pink and blush, salmon shades, white, 

 striped, dotted, zoned, etc. The plants are perfectly hardy, 2 to 3 

 feet high, growing and flowering year after year. 



Culture same as Hardy Scabiosa on page 22. 

 POPPIES. 



Hardy annuals of quick growth producing a wealth of the most 

 gorgeous blooms. There are two distinct types of the poppy: 

 the Ranunculus -flowered being of dwarf, bushy growth, dark green, 

 hairy leaves, and bright flowers of silky texture and soft colorings, 

 though in the most brilliant shades. These range from single to 

 very double in form and are frequently pendent at the top of the 

 slender stems. 



The Carnation and Paeony-f lowered varieties are much taller 

 and stiffly erect in growth; leaves much larger, smooth and quite 

 distinct from the rough, hairy leaves of the Ranunculus type. The 

 grand, ball-like, double flowers are borne on stems two feet or more 

 in height. Plants of this type should have at least fifteen inches of 

 room in which to develop. 



Sow in the open ground after danger from frost is over, in beds 

 of well-pulverized soil. The plants should remain where sown, as 

 they will not stand transplanting unless done with extraordinary 

 care. Thin out carefully so as to disturb the remaining plants as 

 little as possible. For succession of bloom, two or three sowings 

 can be made at intervals during the summer. 



Giant Oriental Hardy Poppies. Among hardy perennials 

 these hold an unrivaled position for effectiveness; height, 2 to 3 feet; 

 flowers immense, often 6 inches or more across. The seed should 

 be sown in the open ground in June or July in order to bloom 

 the following summer. Culture same as Hardy Scabiosa on page 22. 

 PORTULACA. 



Brilliant garden annuals, 6 inches high, luxuriating in warm, dry, 

 sunny situations and blooming profusely from early summer to 

 autumn. For low beds and masses of color, from spring until frost, 

 they are indispensable; colors range through innumerable shades 

 cf red, yellow, pink, striped, white, etc. 



Culture same as annual Poppies. 



