152 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The enthusiastic lover of flowers, too busy in the affairs of life to 

 bestow much time on their care and culture, will find in the hardy 

 perennials and bulbs, such plants most suitable to them. 



The best mode of planting the different kinds, whether in the 

 background, in clump or beds, the fancy of the planter or the location 

 may best determioe. 



A list of the most desirable herbaceous plants is very long, and a 

 few only of the old and long tried varieties can be given in the limits 

 of this paper. 



The lily of the valley always has been a favorite; every collection 

 should contain it. 



The Dielytra is one of the most elegant plants, both in flower and 

 foliage; blooms in Apiil, 



The Iris are a large genus of hardy plants, in many splendid 

 varieties, blooming from May to July. The dwarf (I Pumila) has al- 

 ways been used as bordering for walks and flower beds. 



The columbines are stately plants of different colors, single and 

 double. 



One of the earliest to bloom is our native hepatica triloba, a much 

 neglected but desirable plant, the leaves are evergreen, flowers, single 

 and double of various colors. 



The hardy phlox is a large family, containing many species and 

 fine varieties, blooming in early spring till autumn. 



The pink has a place in our memories of the old-time gardens; 

 their beauty and fragrance endears them to all ; it is often used as a 

 border for walks and beds. 



The peony is a slately plant, adapting themselvs to all situations ; 

 very suitable for borders in the back ground. 



The spireas are very showy, blooming from June to Septemper. 

 Flowers white and red, double and single. 



The Day lilies are very hardy plants. Colors — orange yellow, 

 white and blue, blooming from June to August. 



In the Nerine or Guernsey lily we have a very old favorite, beauti- 

 ful in foliage and flower; when once established, blooming for years. 

 Flowers, white; August and September. 



The lark spurs are profuse bloomers from July to November. 

 Flowers, deep blue and white ; hardy, and of easy culture. 



Asclepias are desirable plants with purple flowers, having the 

 fragrance of the tube rose. 



The fraxinella, an old favorite, esteemed for their aromatic odor, 

 bloom in Mav and June. 



