ANNUALS — HALF-HARDY. 



2 7 



well, otherwise the growth 

 will be weak and unable 

 to resist changed conditions. 

 This Cosmos grows between 

 2ft. and 4ft. in height, and 

 has dainty foliage, and in 

 this respect it is one of the 

 most beautiful of all annual 

 flowers. But (he flowers 

 are charming also, and 

 varied in colour, some 

 reddish - purple, others 

 white, and so forth. A 

 group of this annual should 

 be in all good gardens, and 

 a succession (if flowers may 

 be secured by sowing seed 

 between the tufts planted 

 out. Choose a warm, light 

 soil for the Cosmos. In 

 cold ground or shade it is 

 an absolute failure. The 

 flowers with their fine foliage 

 may be cut for the house. 

 When seed is sown in tie 

 open the seedlings must net 

 be transplanted. Sow where 

 they are to remain. 

 Jaeobsea. — This is the 

 common name for a set 

 of half - hardy annuals 

 which should be raised 

 in heat in February, and 



there are both single and double forms. The most 

 effective are the doubles, which may be had in many 

 colours, purple, crimson, white, and rose, and the plants 

 are dwarf or taller, according to the strain. There is, for 

 example, a dwarf race called Dwarf Pompon, the plants 

 less than I ft. in height, whilst kinds may be obtained 

 of double that stature. The flowers are very double, and 

 useful for cutting. The botanical name of the Jaeobsea 

 is Senecio elegans. Although described here, it has 

 been mentioned also amongst the hardy annuals, because 

 by sowing the seed late in spring, especially in the 

 southern counties, artificial heat may be dispensed with. 



Nemesia StrumOSa Sllttoni. A very distinct and 

 pretty annual, seed of which should be sown under glass 

 early in the year, and the seedlings pricked out into boxes 

 before being finally transferred to the open garden. It 

 may be used in lines and groups with good effect. 

 There are several colours — white, crimson, orange, pink, 

 and soft yellow, a pleasing assortment, and none poor. 

 It may be grown also in pots for the greenhouse. 



NyeteHnia SelagillOideS is a pretty half-hardy annual 



DOUBLE OPIUM POPPY (see p. 18) 



with white flowers of very sweet 

 only 3in. high. 

 Sow the seed in 

 F e b r u a r y o r 

 M a rc h , an d 

 transplant the 

 seedlings to 

 warm places in 

 May. 



Petunias are 



useful flowers, 

 especially during 

 hot summers, as 

 they seem to 

 revel in drought. 

 Avoid the large 

 dingy purple 

 kinds ; indeed, 

 flowers of rea- 

 sonable dimen- 

 sions last longer, 

 and they should 

 be clear and 

 effective in 



The plant grows 



colour, especially if double. 

 Sow seed in gentle warmth 

 in March, prick off the 

 seedlings when large 

 enough, and either plant 

 out or pot on for the green- 

 house. If one has named 

 kinds, strike cuttings at the 

 sime time in warmth, and 

 they will soon root. 

 Petunias are very easy to 

 grow. 



Phloxes, Annual. — These 



are amongst the most pre- 

 cious of all half-hardy 

 annuals. The flowers are 

 of varied colouring, and the 

 plants remain in beauty over 

 a long season, hence they 

 maybe used with advantage 

 in conspicuous beds in the 

 flower garden. More of the 

 bright flowers are seen than 

 fi irmerly, and 1 me need nol 

 confine the plants to single 

 beils, but carpet the ground 

 beneath Standard Ruses 

 and the like, or use 

 them even in window boxes 

 or large vases. Always, 

 however, grow them in 

 masses — broad, free groups 

 — which alone displav 

 the colour, charm, and growth of the Phlox named 

 Drummondi ; indeed, the flowers are now so fine 

 in form and colour thai they are welcome for cutting 

 lor the house. Sow the seed under glass about 

 the first week in March, and treat in the usual way, well 

 hardening the seedlings off before transplanting to the 

 garden. A rich soil is necessary, and, when growth 

 begins, pinching back once does good, as it promotes 

 laterals. There are a host of beautiful forms of all shades 

 of colour, from white to violet with a white centre. A 

 go up of very dwarf plants is interesting, and Ihev are 

 only about 6in. in height, smothered with flowers of good 

 colour in the summer. The quaint Star class will 

 become popular. The flowers are ol starry shape and 

 very varied in colour — a pretty group. 

 Portlllaca. — The brilliant Portulaca may be well included 

 in this group, although the Messrs. Sutton sow their seed 

 in shallow drills on a warm border at the end of April; 

 but the usual way is to sow under glass and treat as in 

 the case of the majority of half-hardy annuals. It is 

 only in very warm summers and upon thoroughly well- 

 drained soils that the Portulaca, with its wonderful depth 



of colouring, as 



brilliant as 

 almost anything 

 in the flower 

 garden, suc- 

 ceeds. It is a 

 child of the sun, 

 as one may 

 imagine when 

 the parent, P. 

 grandiflora, is a 

 native of Chili. 

 For an edging or 

 carpet plant the 

 Portulaca, in its 

 g rea t va riety, 

 some of the tints 

 of dazzling I iril- 

 liancy, is well 

 adapted. One 

 is surprised that 

 it is not far 

 more mown. 



PETUNIA. 



