==Hollyhock==.—­This stately border flower is occasionally grown and flowered as an annual, and some gardeners succeed in producing satisfactory plants, carrying fine double blossoms, superb in colour and of noble proportions.  Where this method is possible it is necessary to sow in the opening month of the year, and to use well-drained pots or seed-pans.  Cover the seed with a sprinkling of fine soil, and place in a temperature of 65 deg. or 700.  In about a fortnight the seedlings will be ready for pricking off round the edges of 4 1/2-inch pots.  But as a rule the finest spikes are obtained from a sowing in July or August.

==Petunia==.—­About the third week of this month a sowing should be made to produce plants for indoor decoration.  Late in February or early in March will be soon enough to prepare for bedding stuff.  Sow thinly in good porous soil, and give the pots or pans a temperature of about 60 deg..  They should have a little extra attention just as the seed is germinating, for that is a critical time with Petunias.  Uniformity in temperature and moisture, with shade when necessary, and plenty of pot room, are the secrets of success in growing these plants.

==Statice==.—­The Sea Lavenders make attractive border subjects, but the sprays of flowers are probably still more valued for cutting and, when dried, for the winter decoration of vases in association with Everlastings.  Seed of the half-hardy varieties may be sown from January to March in gentle heat, transferring the plants to the open in due course.

==Verbena==.—­This flower should be grown with as little artificial aid as possible.  In fact, the more nearly it is treated as a hardy plant the more vigorous and free blooming will it be.  A temperature of 60 deg. is sufficient to raise the seed at this period of the year; and after the plants are established in pots, heat may be gradually dispensed with.  Sow in pans or boxes filled with rich, mellow, and very sweet soil.  Transfer to thumb pots when large enough, and give one more shift as growth demands, until the plants are ready for bedding out in May.  There is a choice of distinct colours, which come true from seed.  Green fly is very partial to the Verbena, especially while in pots; it must be kept down, or the seedlings will make no progress.

==February==

A Considerable number of important flowers should be sown during this month.  The precise dates depend on the district, the character of the season, and the resources of the cultivator.  Should the month open with frost, or with rough, wet weather, it will be wise to exercise a little patience.  Where there are insufficient means for battling with sudden variations of temperature, choose the end rather than the beginning of the month for starting tender subjects.  Govern the work by intelligent observation, instead of following hard and fast rules.  But in no case should fear of the weather form an excuse for the postponement of necessary work.