The different varieties of annuals are almost numberless, but among the
indispensables, one would class the candytuft, sweet alyssum, brownel-
lia, ageratum, convolvulus, centranthus, dianthus or pinks, gypsophila,
larkspur, mignonette, nasturtium, pansies, petunias, phlox, salpigiossis,
saponaria, sweet peas, viscaria and zinnias.
The gladiolus is a magnificent flower. Plant the bulbs at intervals
7
98 FLO WERSi
of about three weeks apart, at any time between April and Independ-
ence day. Set the bulbs about nine inches apart and cover them four
inches deep. As they grow they should be staked to prevent them
from blowing over. Stir the soil around them occasionally with a
sharp hoe, and this is all the care they need.
The iris family must not be forgotten. The Spanish and English
varieties are bulbous rooted ; very pretty, with white, blue, and yellow
flowers. Fine for borders, if left undisturbed in the ground. Will
grow anywhere. But the most splendid kind is the German iris ; it is
a tuberous-rooted evergreen, with large, white, blue and buff and violet
flowers, veined and margined with other tints. To this class belong
the old-fashioned " flags " of our childhood ; but the new varieties far
surpass the old in richness and beautiful blendings of color. Plant in
good sandy soil, four inches deep and eighteen apart. Another hand-
some flower, that must be planted before January, for spring blooming,
is the herbaceous peony. The principal colors are white, pink and
crimson, with different shades, very showy. Plant as directed for the
German iris. Double jonquils and the narcissus are pretty and exceed-
ingly fragrant. The finest of them are the double white and polyanthus
narcissus, the poet's narcissus, and the gold and silver trumpets. The
directions for hyacinths will suit them. The crown imperial is a beau-
tiful hardy bulb, with single and double, red and yellow flowers. Of
easy culture in the North, but repeated experiments in the South prove
that a warm climate does not suit it. Pretty miniature plants for
masses in sunny situations are the star of Bethlehem, white, with green
stripe on each silvery petal, the blue scilla, the delicately-tinted white,
yellow and purple crocus, and that usher of spring days, the snow-drop.
The " feathered " and fragrant musk hyacinths (mis-named plants)
and the green-tipped snowflakes deserve a small place in our favor.
In the North the ranunculus and the brilliant anemone cannot be planted
out doors until spring, but in the southern states they should be in the
ground by December. Set ten inches apart, they make a beautiful bed,
and bloom constantly two or three months — crimson, yellow, purple
and white, single and double. With the charming bleeding heart the
list is complete. Plant in good soil, three inches deep. Its fine cut
foliage and dainty pink and white flowers will always make it a favorite.
WINDOW GARDENS:
A window looking to the south is to be preferred ; next to that an
east or west window. Before cold weather comes, carefully go over
the entire frame and carefully shut up every crack where the frost can
obtain a possible entrance. A good plan is to have a plant stand
mounted upon rollers, so that on every cold night it can be run away
from the windows.
PLANTS FOR WINDO W GARDENS. 99
Page 87
Presented as published in 1886. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
The different varieties of annuals are almost numberless, but among the indispensables, one would class the candytuft, sweet alyssum, brownellia, ageratum, convolvulus, centranthus, dianthus or pinks, gypsophila, larkspur, mignonette, nasturtium, pansies, petunias, phlox, salpigiossis, saponaria, sweet peas, viscaria and zinnias.
The gladiolus is a magnificent flower. Plant the bulbs at intervals
of about three weeks apart, at any time between April and Independence day. Set the bulbs about nine inches apart and cover them four inches deep. As they grow they should be staked to prevent them from blowing over. Stir the soil around them occasionally with a sharp hoe, and this is all the care they need.
The iris family must not be forgotten. The Spanish and English varieties are bulbous rooted ; very pretty, with white, blue, and yellow flowers. Fine for borders, if left undisturbed in the ground. Will grow anywhere. But the most splendid kind is the German iris ; it is a tuberous-rooted evergreen, with large, white, blue and buff and violet flowers, veined and margined with other tints. To this class belong the old-fashioned " flags " of our childhood ; but the new varieties far surpass the old in richness and beautiful blendings of color. Plant in good sandy soil, four inches deep and eighteen apart. Another handsome flower, that must be planted before January, for spring blooming, is the herbaceous peony. The principal colors are white, pink and crimson, with different shades, very showy. Plant as directed for the German iris. Double jonquils and the narcissus are pretty and exceedingly fragrant. The finest of them are the double white and polyanthus narcissus, the poet's narcissus, and the gold and silver trumpets. The directions for hyacinths will suit them. The crown imperial is a beautiful hardy bulb, with single and double, red and yellow flowers. Of easy culture in the North, but repeated experiments in the South prove that a warm climate does not suit it. Pretty miniature plants for masses in sunny situations are the star of Bethlehem, white, with green stripe on each silvery petal, the blue scilla, the delicately-tinted white, yellow and purple crocus, and that usher of spring days, the snow-drop.
The " feathered " and fragrant musk hyacinths (mis-named plants) and the green-tipped snowflakes deserve a small place in our favor. In the North the ranunculus and the brilliant anemone cannot be planted out doors until spring, but in the southern states they should be in the ground by December. Set ten inches apart, they make a beautiful bed, and bloom constantly two or three months — crimson, yellow, purple and white, single and double. With the charming bleeding heart the list is complete. Plant in good soil, three inches deep. Its fine cut foliage and dainty pink and white flowers will always make it a favorite.
WINDOW GARDENS:
A window looking to the south is to be preferred ; next to that an east or west window. Before cold weather comes, carefully go over the entire frame and carefully shut up every crack where the frost can obtain a possible entrance. A good plan is to have a plant stand mounted upon rollers, so that on every cold night it can be run away from the windows.
PLANTS FOR WINDO W GARDENS. 99