The species grows wild in Europe and the near East, but gardeners have been selecting nice forms for so long that even by the 17th century, flowers could be had in white, purple, pale and deep yellow, large and small, and with the colours striped, feathered or flamed.

Alternatively, the gardener might select several six-packs of annuals (in full bloom) because their colors look well together.

But, unfortunately, after the potatoes had been shipped, I found that my gardener had selected all the largest for market, and left my family nothing but 'small potatoes' to live on during the winter.

Mr. Blevins showed how a gardener would select a long shoot and begin encouraging it to grow along a wire form, branching out at every clipped stem, and finally flowering in late fall.

Most gardeners select an out-of-the-way place so its rambunctiousness does not just push aside other plants.

Most important, gardeners must select sound solutions and give them time to work.