Flower Seeds 
Annuals, Biennials, Perennials 
WHAT THEY ARE AND HOW TO TREAT THEM 
Annual Flowers 
Annual Flowers grow from seed, blossom, fruit and 
die down in one season. Many self-sow and are 
practically permanent. They are obtainable in every 
color, readily grown and can be used in the follow- 
ing ways—in a border made up of a number of dif- 
ferent annuals—for massing of a single variety or 
color in beds—for filling in spots in the perennial 
border and rockery—and for growing in rows to 
supply cutting flowers. 
When to Sow Annual Seed 
Nearly all annuals will germinate and bloom in the 
first season if sown outdoors as soon as the ground 
is warm, but many sorts such as Ageratum, Asters, 
Carnations, Petunias, Phlox, Salpiglossis, Scarlet 
Sage, Snapdragons, Stocks, Verbena and Wall- 
flower require sowing in some sheltered situation 
such as a cold frame, greenhouse or a window box 
in the home about a month before outdoor culture 
starts. The young plants are transplanted to the 
open ground when the weather is warm. This is 
necessary, not only on account of their tenderness, 
but also because they need more time for develop- 
ment, and by sowing early, the growing season is 
prolonged, Others such as Bachelor’s Button, Calen- 
dula, Cosmos, Gaillardia, Marigold, Nasturtium, 
Zinnia, etc., may be sown outdoors in the open 
ground when all danger of frost has passed. 
Most Annuals thrive on rich soil, plenty of water 
and sunshine, frequent weeding and cultivation. 
Annuals with tap roots, such as Blue Lace Flower, 
Eschscholtzia, and Poppies do not transplant well, 
and are best sown where they are to stand. Some 
of the hardy annuals such as Alyssum, Bachelor’s 
Button, Calendula, Cosmos, Larkspur, Bedding Pe- 
tunias and Poppy can be sown in the Fall just previ- 
ous to the late heavy frost. The seed will then be 
dormant until Spring. 
Biennials 
Biennials are plants that flower the second year 
from sowing of the seed, 
When to Sow Biennial Seed 
Sow the seed the latter part of June, during July 
and up to the middle of August. Transplant the seed- 
lings 4 to 5 inches apart into a cold frame or they 
may be wintered over in the open ground with pro- 
tection of hay or straw. 
Perennials 
Perennials are plants that usually come into flower 
the year after sowing. They go on living and in- 
creasing for a number of years, the stems dying 
down annually and then throwing forth new growth 
from the roots each Spring. Perennials are effective 
planted in irregular but graceful groups along the 
border. They should be planted so that there is con- 
tinuous bloom of some kind from early Spring to 
late Fall. Once established, they are a constant 
source of pleasure presenting a variety of size, 
form and color. The tall, sturdy growing plants are 
valuable as cut flowers and the low species can be 
used either in the front of the border or in the rock 
garden. 
When to Sow Perennial Seed 
They are easily raised from sowings in seed beds 
from late Spring until about August. They make 
strong plants, which may be planted in a perma- 
nent situation early enough in the Fall, to enable 
them to winter safely. Protect them with a light cov- 
ering of litter late in the Fall. Seed sown in the 
Fall, winter over in a cold frame. Tender perennials 
such ag Cannas, Dahlias, and Red Hot Poker should 
be dug up and stored away free from frost. 
CULTURAL DIRECTIONS for FLOWER SEEDS 
The following general rules apply to all: 
There are two ways of sowing seeds; the one in the 
border where they are intended to remain; the other 
in prepared beds from which they are transplanted 
to the Flower Garden. The soil of the seed bed 
should be in a fine condition, smooth and level as 
possible, and well enriched. Do not plant when the 
ground is wet. Sow in rows so that the starting 
plants can be easily seen. Cover each lot of seed to 
a uniform depth. Scarcely cover small seeds and 
others not more than four to six times the diameter 
of the seed, Press the soil firmly over the seed and 
keep moist during the process of germination, and 
while the plants are young. Thin out the young 
plants to prevent crowding and keep entirely free 
from weeds. In watering apply gently in order to 
avoid washing the seedlings out of the ground and, 
wii as possible, prevent caking of the surface of 
soil. 
When the seedlings have three or four leaves, 
first water and transplant on a dull day so that they 
Brief Cultural Instructions are Printed on the Back of All Packets 
60 
do not get spindly. The last stage is to transfer 
them to the garden four to twelve inches apart, ac- 
cording to the size the plants attain in maturity. 
Quick growing annuals such as Cosmos, Marigolds 
and Zinnias, ete., also varieties that do not trans- 
plant so well, can be sown where they are to remain, 
and thinned out to afford each specimen a fair 
chance of attaining robust growth and of producing 
fine heads of bloom. Vigorous growth depends upon 
good drainage, a soil mellow and rich in humus, 
plant food consisting of manure or prepared fertil- 
izer and lime. 
During the time the plants are in flower pick 
freely, to prevent seed pods forming, and thereby 
lengthen the flowering season. 
All outdoor seed planting must be done when all 
danger of frost has passed and the ground is warm; 
otherwise the expectation of a successful garden is 
remote, 
- 
