214 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



of, but do not be misled by the statement seen in the catalogue which 

 would lead one to believe that they can take care of themselves. These 

 plants respond to good treatment the same as other flowers in the matter 

 of good cultivation, watering, and the liberal use of fertilizers. One 

 family, the hardy phlox, will well repay you for the extra care you bestow 

 upon them by larger blooms, longer period in flower, and vigorous plants. 

 It would be impossible to enumerate and describe all the good perennials 

 in this paper. I will name a few of the select ones that are easy to grow. 



First on my list is hardy phlox. These plants can be made to yield 

 flowers from May till frost. Plant in the fall, late September, and 

 October. The old plants should be lifted every three years and divided 

 to get the best results. Try some of the native Nebraska phlox (D. doug- 

 lasii) ; this blooms early in May. Next in order of bloom is Phlox decus- 

 sata, followed by the varieties named: Pantheon, pink; Fraulein von 

 Lossburg, white; Arete, Richard Wallace, Crepuscule, and other good ones 

 too numerous to mention here. Of equal importance to the phlox is the 

 peony. Everybody knows this flower, many people refer to this as 

 "piney" that stood in grandmother's garden. Plant in the fall, and do not 

 disturb for five years or more. The different forms of Hemerocallis or 

 day lilies can be used with good effect on account of their foliage. The 

 Platycodons, white and blue, will bloom continuously all summer. For 

 spring and early summer the columbines are very showy, the Rocky Moun- 

 tain varieties and the beautiful longspur hybrids being especially desir- 

 able. The German iris should be planted freely. By a judicious selection 

 of varieties, including the Japanese, the flowering season can be prolonged 

 for a considerable time. For the back of your border the Delphiniums 

 are stately and effective subjects, ranging in every shade of blue. For a 

 bold effect and acting as a screen to any objectionable feature, the tall 

 plume poppy (Bocconia cordata) is often used with good effect. We must 

 not forget the oriental poppy with its large, gorgeous flowers of scarlet 

 and crimson. They are very striking in the border, both for their bril- 

 liant color and the immense size of their flowers. 



For cut flowers the Gaillardia will give abundance of bloom for the 

 home all summer. Another old favorite, and one of the most artistic, is 

 the hollyhock, of many colors, both single and double flowers, the semi- 

 double being the most effective. We must not forget the golden rod and 

 the hardy asters, both natives, which seems to be the reason they are not 

 planted more extensively. But I must not weary you to describe every 

 perennial that is worth growing, for they are numerous and can be had to 

 suit any situation, and as I said before, need very little care, but will well 

 repay you for any extra care that you do give them. 



No flower garden can be complete without some of the annuals. These 

 flowers are most essential if one wants a continuous display during the 

 whole summer season. 



We could not dispense with such old favorites as sweet peas, pansies, 

 asters, cosmos, and nasturtiums. 



Almost all can be grown by sowing the seed where the plants are 

 wanted to grow all summer. A few exceptions to this method of growing 



