If you live where there is snow in Winter, in order to have early Summer blooms, the seeds must be started early, under glass protection, in a sunny window, or in a hotbed. A box with a glass cover is a good substitute for a hotbed. If the seeds of Annuals are planted out of doors, they rarely bloom before Mid-Summer, while many Perennials, which have been out all Winter, bloom in early Spring. Select from the following lists the flowers which from the description are most pleasing to you.
List of Fifteen Annuals
(All may be raised from seeds. They do not “winter over.”)
| Common Name. | Botanical Name. | Remarks. | Height. |
| Cockscomb.* | Cin-e-ra-ri-a. | Crimson, showy flowers easily grown. Resemble the comb of a rooster. Bloom in the Fall. | 24 inches. |
| Princess Feather. Feathered Coxcomb. | Ce-lo-si-a Plu-mo-sa. | Yellow and crimson, feathering spikes of bloom. Easily raised. Large-flowering Dwarf are the best seeds to plant. | About 2½ feet. |
| Youth-and-Old-Age.* | Zin-ni-as. | All brilliant colors. Bloom late in Fall. | 2 feet. |
| Mad Wort.* | Sweet A-lys-sum. | Charming edging plant. Tiny white thick flower heads. Buy “Little Gem.” | 4 inches. |
| Wild Cucumber Vine. | A rapid Annual Climber. | ||
| Floss Flower. | A-ger-a-tum. | Blooms from early Summer to late Fall. Buy “Blue Perfection;” small blue flossy flowers which grow in thick clusters. Excellent for blue among cut flowers. | 12-15 inches. |
| Snapdragon* (“Biennial” plants). | An-tir-rhi-num. | Resemble sweet peas, but are easily cared for; need no trellis or support. Excellent for cutting, having stout stems. Sow in February or March in seed-boxes. Bloom from July to November. Best variety; large Flowering Half Dwarf. Colors: garnet, red, rose, pink, copper, orange, yellow, white. Plants sometimes sow their own seed for next season. | 18 inches. |
| Scarlet Sage. | Sal-vi-a Splen-dens. | Brilliant red bloom from Summer through Fall. Too harsh a shade for a border plant. Use only in a mass in the garden. | 24 in. |
| Cornflowers.* | Cen-tau-re-a Cy-an-us. | Sometimes called: “Bachelor’s Buttons,” “Blue Bottle,” “Ragged Robin.” Buy “Double Blue” variety. | 15 inches. |
| Nasturtiums. | Orange, yellow, salmon color. Buy “Dwarf” variety. Excellent for edging. There is a tall growing variety which clings to a support, or “climbs.” | 10 inches. | |
| Cosmos. | See [Garden for Little Folks] for description. | ||
| Verbenas. | Buy sweet-scented verbenas which come in red, rose, pink, purple, lavender, white. | 18-24 inches. | |
| Four-o’Clocks. | Mi-rab-i-lis Jal-ap-a. | Do well everywhere. Mixed colors. Give each plant twelve inches of room. Interesting because often visited by humming birds. | 2 feet. |
| Mourning Bride. Pincushion Flower. | Sca-bi-o-sa. |
* If garden space is small, select only the names marked with a star.
Note: For description of Sweet Peas, see [page 356].
Our grandmothers loved also lady slippers, heliotrope, mignonette; but the perennial flowers have taken the place of many old-fashioned Annuals because they require less care.
Among the most interesting Annuals are—
Everlasting Flowers
which may be dried and will keep their color for years. They make charming winter decorations for the table. There are several varieties.