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Distances for planting annuals

Only an approximate idea can be given of the distances apart at which annuals should be planted, for not only does the distance depend on the fertility of the land (the stronger the soil the greater the distance), but also on the object the person has in growing the plants, whether to produce a solid mass effect or to secure strong specimen plants with large individual bloom. If specimen plants are to be raised, the distances should be liberal.

The distances here given for some of the commoner annuals may be considered to represent average or usual spaces that single plants may occupy under ordinary conditions in flowerbeds, although it would probably be impossible to find any two gardeners or seedsmen who would agree on the details. These are suggestions rather than recommendations.

The plants in these lists are thrown into four groups in order to classify the subject in the beginner's mind:

Planting annuals 6 to 9 inches apart

Ageratum, very dwarf kinds.

Alyssum.

Asperula setosa.

Cacalia.

Candytuft.

Clarkia, dwarf.

Collinsia.

Gysophila muralis.

Kaulfussia.

Larkspur, dwarf kinds.

Linaria.

Linum grandiflorum

Lobelia Erinus. Mignonette, dwarf kinds.

Pansy.

Phlox, very dwarf kinds.

Pinks, very dwarf kinds.

Rhodanthe.

Schizopetalon.

Silene Armeria.

Snapdragon, dwarf.

Sweet pea.

Torenia.

Planting annuals 10 to 15 inches apart

Acroclinium.

Adlumia.

Adonis autumnalis.

Ageratum, tall kinds.

Alonsoa.

Aster, China, smaller kinds.

Balsam.

Bartonia.

Browallia.

Calendula.

California poppy (Eschscholtzia).

Calliopsis.

Cardiospermum.

Carnation, flower-garden kinds.

Celosia, small kinds.

Centaurea Cyanus.

Centauridium.

Centranthus.

Clarkia, tall.

Convolvulus tricolor.

Gaillardia, except on strong land.

Gilias.

Glaucium.

Godetia.

Gomphrena.

Gypsophila elegans.

Helichrysum.

Hunnemannia.

Larkspur, tall annual

Marigold, intermediate

Mignonette, tall kinds.

Morning-glory.

Nasturtium, dwarf.

Nemophila.

Nigella.

Petunia.

Phlox Drummondii.

Pinks.

Poppies (6 to 18 inch, according to variety).

Portulaca.

Salpiglossis.

Scabiosa.

Schizanthus.

Snapdragon, tall kinds.

Statice.

Stock.

Tagetes, dwarf French.

Thunbergia.

Verbena.

Whitlavia.

Zinnia, very dwarf kinds

Planting annuals 18 to 24 inches

Amarantus.

Ammobium.

Argemone.

Callirrhoë.

Canterbury bell (up to 3 ft.).

Celosia, large kinds (up to 30 inch).

Chrysanthemum, annual.

Cosmos, smaller kinds.

Euphorbia marginata.

Four o'clock (up to 30 inch)

Hop, Japanese. (to 30 inch)

Kochia, or summer cypress

Marigold, tall kinds.

Nicotiana (up to 30 inch).

Oenothera, tall kinds.

Zinnia, tall kinds (up to 3 ft.).

Caladium.

Cosmos, tall kinds (2 to 3 ft.).

Dahlia.

Datura.

Martynia.

Ricinus or castor bean.

Solanums.

Sunflower, tall kinds.

Wigandia.