28 



THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



CIIISKSE PINK. 



Pinks, Annual 

 and Biennial. 



— The origin of 

 this showy group 

 of either annual 

 or biennial 

 flowers, as they 

 may be regarded 

 in either way, is 

 D. sinensis, the 

 China Pink ; but 

 we have separate 

 groups, such as 

 D. laciniatus, D. 

 hybridus, and D. 

 Heddewigi. As 

 a rule, D n e 

 regards them as 

 annual flowers, 

 sowing the seed 

 early in February 

 in pans or shallow 

 boxes filled with 

 light soil, and 

 pricking out the 

 seedlings in the 

 usual way. 

 Give gentle 

 warmth, k e e p 

 the seedlings near the glass to prevent them from 

 becoming drawn, and make two or three sowings, a fort- 

 night apart, to provide a succession. A good way is to 

 sow four or five seeds in a 511). pot, and keep the 

 seedlings intact, planting them out without unnecessarily 

 disturbing the roots. These beautiful flowers may be 

 used in many ways, not only in masses in borders, but 

 as a groundwork to taller things. The varieties of 

 1). Heddewigi named Crimson Belle, the pure while 

 Bride, or Eastern Queen, are as good as any. H. 

 laciniatus has fringed flowers, as the name suggests, and 

 of this group there are varied colours ; in truth, the 

 colouring is wonderfully diversified. 

 SalpiglOSSiS Sinuata. — This is one of the fairest of all 

 annual flowers, which should be sown in gentle heat in 

 February, and the plants pricked out or grown on until 

 ready for the border or bed, or wherever they may go. 

 It is well to make the soil fairly rich, as the Salpiglossis 

 is as beautiful as almost any annual, graceful, and 

 diversified in colour. Its colouring is wonderful — rich 

 clear yellows, subtle velvety crimson, purples, and finely- 

 varied and striped forms too. There is, however, some 

 difference in the various races of seedlings, so that it is 

 wise to sow seed got only from the finest flowers. The 

 plants are fully 3ft. in height, and full of grace and charm. 

 Tobaccos [Nicotiana). — These are noble half-hardy 

 annuals, and the taller, more massive kinds may be used 

 with advantage in the sub-tropical garden. The plants 

 are of extremely rapid growth, and of the large-leaved 

 kinds none are handsomer than N. macrophylla and 

 A'. Tabacum, but the most popular, and deservedly so, is 

 N. alba, beter known as N. affinis, which should be 

 planted freely in all gardens, large or small, in town or 

 in country. It is veiy easily raised by sowing seed in 

 heat in February, and treating the plants exactly as one 

 would the Petunia, or any other half-hardy annual. 

 I'lant in rich soil, and use it in many ways, such as 

 amongst evergreen shrubs, in the borders, and near the 

 house, the fragrance from the ivory-while flowers floating 

 inlo the rooms on warm summer evenings. During the 

 day, when the sun is very hot, the flowers almost close 

 up, but open out fresh and fair towards evening. A few 

 seedlings may be potted on for the greenhouse. A new 

 Tobacco which will probably be largely grown in the 

 future is K. sylveslris. It has long tubular flowers, 

 very sweet, and pure white, whilst they do not close 

 during hot days, as in the case of N. affinis. The 

 whole plant is very handsome, being fairly tall and 

 with abundant light green leaves. Flowers are borne 



freely, and they are so unlike 1 hose of the ordinary sweet- 

 scented Tobacco that the two plants may be used without 

 introducing monotonous effects. A small bed of this upon 

 the lawn would, we think, be acceptable, especially if 

 near the house, for then the sweet fra-: ranee would float 

 into the rooms. 



Verbenas. — These quaint flowers were almost annihilated 

 by a fungus disease, the result in part no doubt of 

 continually propagating from cuttings which were given 

 strong heat to induce quick rooting. But Verbenas may 

 now be classed amongst the half-hardy annuals. Seed can 

 be obtained in separate colours, and the plants will come 

 true, so that propagation by cuttings is needless, unless 

 one wishes to perpetuate some fine kind. Seedlings are, 

 however, so varied and beautiful that it is unnecessary to 

 name individual kinds. One can obtain many colours, 

 from white to intense sapphire blue, and the plants are 

 vigorous and bushy in growth. Sow the seed in early 

 March in a shallow box of light soil, give gentle bottom 

 heat, and when large enough to handle comfortably pot 

 off singly or prick them into another box. When 

 well hardened off, which they should be at the end of 

 .May. plant out in the garden. This simple way of 

 raising flowers is a thousand times preferable to keeping 

 the plants over the winter in pots and getting vexed 

 because disease attacks them. 



Zinnias. — These gay half-hardy annuals have of late years 

 been much used in parks and gardens, and this is not 

 surprising when one considers that for many weeks the 

 flowers remain in beauty, and their colours are varied and 

 showy. Seed is now sown in separate colours, although, 

 of course, the seedlings will vary occasionally, and there 

 are endless varieties, as a rule, of Z. elegnns, whilst 

 Z. Haageana or Mexicana deserves notice. The 

 double kinds are handsomer than the single Zinnias. The 

 former remain longer in perfection, and the plants are 



SALPIGLOSSIS. 



more compact in growth. Groups in the border or 

 masses in beds are welcome, and though few care 

 for the scent of the Zinnia, its colour and solidity, so 

 to say, are admired. Fireball is an especially vivid orange- 

 scarlet double variety, but one can have orange, rose, 

 white, scarlet, salmon, and allied shades, so that there is 

 no poverty as regards tints. Never sow the seed so early 

 as is olten done, March or early April being quite soon 

 enough. Sow thinly, as has been consistently advised, 

 just cover the seed, and use 5in. pots. Give them a 

 temperature of about 6odeg., pot off when large- 

 enough singly into small pots, keep close for a time, 

 then give air judiciously until by early June they aie 

 ready to plant out. Seed may even be sown out of 

 doors in May, choosing a sunny spot, and avoid trans- 

 planting by thinning out all except the strongest. 



