MANY ANNUALS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21136, 19 March 1932, Page 8 (Supplement)

MANY ANNUALS.

STRIKING DISPLAYS. Annuals now present an interesting, varied and brilliant display. Splendid effects and striking contrasts may, by the judicious use of the various kinds, be produced in a very short time. 100 much cannot be said in favour of these indispensable plants for the decoration of the bods and borders almost throughout the year, notably the summer and autumn. In speaking generally of annuals, a number of other plants are included that are not strictly of annual duration, but for convenience are classed under tho same heading. A wonderful improvement and development has been effected in evolving by careful- hybridisation improved varieties of dwarfer and much more compact habit of growth and more floriferous character than tho original types. Old, objectionable colours havo been eliminated, and distinct colours and shades substituted. SOUTH AFRICAN SPECIES. New species from South Africa, notably the beautiful ursinia and brilliant venidium, are a distinct break and valuablo addition to the well-known species. Tho improvement of annuals and their appreciation has been so great in the summer decoration of the garden, and tho selection for colour arrangements, that they havo almost entirely replaced tho orthodox bedding previously so much in vogue. Climatic conditions in Auckland are peculiarly adapted for growing those varieties that make tho best display, and by selection and successional plantings they may be had in flower for several months. Tho facilities for obtaining supplies of plants already raised and in fit condition for planting at tho various seasons is ao great that every opportunity is afforded in stocking our gardens at but little cost. The hardy varieties may bo sown in the open ground. Several of the hardiest reproduce from self-sown seeds that have dropped and germinated from tho parent plants. With the exception of a dry time throughout November, tho season has been most favourable for the majority of annuals. Heavy rains at the latter end of last month thoroughly saturated the soil and ministered to their requirements, besides further plantings for''succession and late bloomings, as well as tile sowing of hardy kinds in the open for winter and early spring. USEFUL VARIETIES. The following are some of tho best and most useful:—The zinnia, with tho advent of the magnificent large flowered dahlia strains in many brilliant colours, including some quite new art shades, has taken a leading place among summerflowering annuals, displacing the phlox. Zinnias are splendid dry-weather subjects. Massed in large beds and borders, they are most effective. The phlox Drummondi gran di flora, hitherto the best of all summer-flower-ing annuals, has had to give precedence to°lhe zinnias. Tho phlox, when planted in largo beds and in groups, produces an amazing show of beautiful colours, ranging from the purest of whites to tho most brilliant of scarlets, presenting a delightful mass of colouring. By successional plantings they may be had in flower from the spring until the early winter. They are splendid dry-weather plants, and of the easiest cultivation. A dwarf, compact strain of phlox in several colours is valuablo for borders and small beds. The phlox is quite distinct from other annuals. French and African marigolds aro easily grown. They cover a long season of flowering and rank next in importance to tho preceding species. MARIGOLDS. The dwarf French marigolds, with single and double flowers, are tho most generally grown, both for separate beds and borders. Tho flowers are mostly striped and blotched, rich chestnut red, edged with gold, crimson, striped, golden yellow and yellow ground, beautifully spotted. Tho tnl'. French havo similar colours. The tal' African is in two shades, orango and lemon, in enormous double . flowers. These marigolds are splendid dry annuals of tho easiest culture. They last in flower from tho spring early winter. PETUNIAS. Petunias are among tho most charming of annuals. They aro admirably suited for a sunny aspect and stand dry weather better than any others. The largo-flow-ered, single varieties, notably the giants of California, and tho superbissima strains, belong to tho largo-flowered class, containing a great variety of colours, with yellow, funnel-shayied throats, beautifully veined and blotched. Tho profusion with which their fragrant blossoms are produced render petunias useful in every garden. Tho flowers of tho fimbriata section are beautifully fringed in double and single forms. Petunias should be grown in separate beds. A new blue bedding petunia, a scarlet crimson bedder and a striped bedding variety, aro very effective, being of dwarf habit and very floriferous.