DiriSIO^^ OF nORTICVLTURE 527 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



The bulletin on " Herbaceous Perennials," published in 1908, gives a great deal of 

 information about these plants. It reports on the merits, dates of flowering, and 

 colours of over 2,000 species and varieties. 



In the autumn of 1911 a special border, 12 feet wide and 450 feet long wa5 planted 

 with about 600 species and varieties consisting of the best from among the larger 

 number previously tested. This border was prepared in order that the best perennials,. 

 and those most suited to Canadian conditions, might be grown in positions where they 

 are easily accessible to the large number of people who are interested in these flowers, 

 and desire to make personal observations regarding them. 



By growing them in this way, an opportunity is also afforded of making many 

 interesting observations on the suitability of the various plants for specific purposes. 

 In addition to this, the border also makes a very interesting ornamental feature at the 

 Central Farm. 



The border presents a good display of colour from the early spring, when the- 

 several thousand bulbs radiate colours as wonderful and varied as those of the rainbow^ 

 until quite late autumn, when the pereunial asters, in their brilliant hues, reluetantljr 

 give place to the snow mantle of winter. 



Seasons of Bloom of the Best Perennial Flowers. 



For the information of those who wish to grow more of these satisfactory flowers, 

 and who have room for a limited number only, and therefore wish for plants which will 

 produce effects, and give bloom at some particular season of the year, the following 

 brief notes are given : — 



For Early Spring Bloom (Month of May at Ottawa) Bulbous flowers such as: 



Snowdrops, crocus, squills, narcissi, tulips, etc.; also the following flowers easily 

 raised from seed : Virginian cowslip, bleeding heart, moss pinks, epimedium, forget- 

 me-nots, spring anemones, and pansies. 



For Spring Bloom (Last of May and Early June, at Ottawa).^The large German 

 iris group, followed by the larger paeonia groups. Also the following: Oriental 

 poppies, columbines, sweet rocket, late and Darwin tulips, late narcissi, perennial 

 candytuft, day lilies, eremurus, globe flower, spider-wort, hairbell, Iceland poppies, etc. 



For Early Summer Bloom (June and into July, at Ottawa). — Bellflowers, fox- 

 gloves, pentstemons, sweet williams, hardy lilies, perennial larkspurs or delphiniums, 

 coral bells, lupines, coreopsis, perennial pinks, gas plant, speedwells, pyrethrums, 

 Iceland poppies, Japanese iris, etc. 



For Late Summer Bloom (Last half of July and August, at Ottawa). — Pereunial 

 phloxes, a large group of beautiful flowers, hollyhocks, sunflowers, baby's breatii, 

 bush clematis, blanket flower, cone flower, Chinese bell flower, Shasta daisy, incarvillea, 

 rudbeckia, etc. 



For Autumn Bloom (Late August and September, at Ottawa). — Perennial asters^ 

 a beautiful coloured group of native and European plants, sunflowers, Japanese lilies^ 

 rose-mallows, sea-lavender, monkshood, heliopsis, gladioli, heleniums, etc. 



KECENT DONATIONS OF ORNAMENTAL PLANTS. 



From time to time donations of new varieties of trees, shrubs, or seeds of rare- 

 plants are received by the Central Farm from botanic gardens, etc., in other countries 

 of the world. 



In 1912 three such institutions sent donations of trees and shrubs to the (Jentral 

 Farm at Ottawa. These institutions were: — 



The Botanical Gardens, Glasnevin, Ireland. 



Ottawa,. 



16— 35i 



