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The Annual Garden: Heliotrope

Heliotrope. Heliotrope is best cultivated as a tender annual and may be grown from cuttings or seed, more floriferous plants are obtained from seed. The seed should be started indoors in February or March. A little silver sand sprinkled over them will assist germination. The seedlings should be transplanted in rich, light soil as soon as they are large enough to handle, and given plenty of sun, water and air. Potgrown heliotropes make much finer plants than those grown in greenhouse benches or frames. Planting outdoors cannot be done before the third week in May. Heliotrope blooms continuously until frost and can be planted 10 or 12 inches apart, depending upon the richness of the soil.

Varieties. Lemoines Giant. Regal, dwarfer growth.

Elsie, darker in color and heavy grower.

Larkspur. The annual larkspur is a very showy annual coming into bloom in July from seed sown in the garden about April 20th and continuing to flower through September, provided it is not allowed to dry out or go to seed. It transplants poorly and therefore it is best to sow it where bloom is desired, in rows 8 inches apart. Do not thin the seedlings until they are several inches high as they are delicate when very [31] young and apt to die out. Larkspur is most effective in thickly planted masses and should not be thinned too vigorously.

Varieties. The sky-blue, lilac and shell-pink varieties are the choicest colors; varieties also come in Newport pink and dark blue.

Lobelia. Lobelia is a tender annual suitable for edging purposes. The white and light blue varieties are preferable, as the deep blue flowers of the other varieties are too vivid to combine well with most annuals. The seed should be started indoors from January to March 1st as it is slow in developing and requires the heat and protection of a greenhouse. Plants started in January should be in bloom by the latter part of May, at which time they can be planted in the garden, 6 inches apart.

Varieties. Blue Emperor, sky blue, White Gem.

Crystal Palace Compacta, deep blue. Gracilis, light blue, trailing, suitable for hanging baskets.

Mirabilis Jalapa, Marvel of Peru, Four o'clocks.

Four o'clocks are easily grown annuals that thrive in almost any soil. Plant 3 or 4 seeds at intervals of 12 or 18 inches in the garden in late April, and thin to one if all germinate. The plants form compact little bushes laden with gay flowers that open on cloudy days and late in the afternoon. They commence [32] blooming about the middle of July and continue until late September or early October. Earlier bloom is secured by starting the seeds in a hot bed in March The flowers are cherry red, yellow and white.

Marigold. Marigold may be started in hot beds in March for early bloom or out of doors in late April. Sow the seed in a seed bed and transplant to the garden when the seedlings are an inch or two high. They are very satisfactory plants, being easily grown; only demanding a light soil and a sunny position. Bloom is continuous until frost and the pale yellow varieties combine well with the pale blue annuals. In very rich soils they are inclined to become too rank in their growth at the expense of bloom. Plant the French varieties 10 or 12 inches apart; the African kind requires 12 or 18 inches in which to develop. Double African Varieties. Lemon Queen, the best.

Orange Prince, deep yellow. Double French Varieties. Golden Ball and Lemon Ball the best. Mahogany, dark brown throughout must be used sparingly, and where contrast of color is desired.

Mignonette. Mignonette is grown for its fragrance rather than for garden decoration. It transplants poorly and is best sown where it is to bloom, the end of April and again June 15th, to continue the bloom until frost. It likes a rich soil and an exposure [33] that is not too hot; a little shade will be beneficial. Sow in rows 10 inches apart, and thin to 8 or 10 inches in the row.

Varieties. Sweet-scented, small flower heads but fragrant. Defiance, large flower heads not so fragrant. Nicotiana Affinis, Flowering Tobacco. Nicotiana is of value in the annual garden for planting in the back of borders, to give a height and background for lower growing plants. It grows from 2 to 3 feet high in rich, well-drained soils, and the bloom is profuse until frost. Plant 1/2 to 2 feet apart.

Varieties. The sanderæ hybrids come in shades of rose and pink. The affinis variety bears white fragrant flowers Nigella, Love in a Mist. Nigella is not easily transplanted, so it should be sown in April in the garden where it is to bloom. Thin the seedlings so that they stand 4 or 6 inches apart. It is easily grown and thrives in almost any soil.

Variety. Miss Jekyll, delicate blue.

Nasturtium. Nasturtiums are among the most popular annuals. They are easily grown from seed sown in April, and the bloom is profuse and continuous until frost provided the flowers are cut frequently. They will grow in any soil, but must have ample sunshine. The dwarf nasturtiums are good for edging [34] purposes, and the climbing varieties are among the best of annual vines attaining a height of from 8 to 10 feet.

Varieties come in separate colors or mixed.