Book of Gardens 
GOOD 
A N N U 
A 
13 
A DOZEN 
L S 
Certain Flowers Whose Colors and Characteristics Qualify Them as 
a Basis for Starting an Annual Garden 
T HERE are, of course, no twelve—or fif¬ 
teen, or twenty—“best” annuals. Local 
conditions, individual preferences, a thousand 
and one varying circumstances, must be taken 
into consideration. If we are going to set any 
definite limit to our list, let us call our selec¬ 
tion merely “good” in a general sort of way, 
and let it go at that. 
The flowers which follow are chosen with 
the assumption that they are to be grown under 
average normal conditions. Briefly, these con¬ 
sist of moderately rich, well-drained soil; 
plenty of sunlight and fresh air circulation; 
and freedom from the encroaching roots of 
trees and shrubs. Granted these, here is a basic 
list on which you can start an annual garden 
of small size. 
Cosmos. Its colors are red, pink and white 
—great saucer-shaped blossoms borne 4' to 6' 
high above a mass of feathery foliage. For 
mass effects far into the autumn, after most of 
the other flowers have succumbed to the chill 
nights, it is unexcelled. An excellent flower 
for both garden effects and cutting. 
Asters. Not the busy, perennial kinds with 
the purple and gold flowers, but the Giant 
Comet, King, Royal and Imperial sorts. They 
reach a height of T to 3', and furnish abundant 
bloom in a wide variety of colors during late 
summer and autumn. These asters are good 
not only for a variety of garden effects, but 
also for cutting and display in the house. 
Alyssum. Free-flowering and quick-growing, 
a splendid bedding and edging plant which be¬ 
gins to bloom early in the spring and continues 
throughout the season. The flowers are white, 
profuse, and low growing; together with the 
foliage, they form a thick mat a few inches 
thick. 
Snapdragons. Good for border planting and 
as cut flowers. Long blooming season and ex¬ 
quisite flowers in practically every color except 
blue. They grow from 1' to 3' high and if given 
winter protection will bloom a second season. 
Some of the giant types are especially good 
for planting at the back of the bed. 
Candytuft. One can hardly imagine this 
charming hardy flower. For edgings and bed¬ 
ding effects it is especially good, and it is well 
adapted to cutting. The blossoms are white, 
pink or red, borne T to 2' high in large heads 
or spikes. 
Forget-Me-Not. Of all garden flowers, this 
comes as close as any to being a tradition. 
There is no need of describing it here—it’s too 
well known. 
Annual Larkspur. Not to be confused with 
the perennial sort. It comes in all colors except 
yellow, and is good for garden masses as well 
as cutting. Grows 2' to 3' high and closely re¬ 
sembles the hardy larkspur in appearance. It 
is a splendid flower in all respects. 
Petunias. Brilliancy and wealth of blossoms, 
as well as marked success even under unfa¬ 
vorable conditions, characterize petunias. They 
come in all colors except yellow, grow from T 
to 1 YA high, and are good for color masses and 
tedding effects. 
Salpiglossis. Also called Velvet Flower and 
Painted Tongue. All colors, i' to 2' high, de¬ 
sirable especially for garden effects and cutting 
for the house. 
Phlox. An old favorite, better today than 
ever. All colors except blue, can be used as a 
cut flower as well as for color masses in the 
garden. Grows about 1' high. Not to be 
confused with the hardy perennial varieties. 
Eschscholtzia or California Poppy. These 
flowers, like forget-me-nots, scarcely need de¬ 
scription. They are so showy and free-flower¬ 
ing that they are particularly adapted to color 
masses in the house as well as outdoors. T to 
2' high, in all colors except blue. 
Sweet Peas. The sweet pea of today is a far 
superior flower to that of a dozen or more years 
ago. All the old colors are in it, and many new 
ones. The Spencer type is the best; many of its 
varieties have beautifully frilled and fluted 
edges on their petals. To yield the maximum 
returns, sweet peas should be grown in a very 
richly manured trench prepared to a depth of 
2', as their roots demand a great deal of 
nourishment. 
Annuals may be planted in beds by themselves, a bed or portion of a bed to one variety, or they 
may be used in the perennial border to give color and flower interest when the herbaceous plants 
are not so rich in bloom 
