GAILLARDIA. 



THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



GAILLARDIA. 



583 



at the end of February or the beginning 

 of March, they may be grown into good 

 plants, and give a full display of their fine 

 flower-heads as early as those that have 

 withstood the winter in the borders. It is 

 well to note that these in many soils are 

 not nearly so hardy or enduring as many 

 of the perennials we have from N. Amer- 



The Garden on January 27, 1887, mentions 

 that a collection planted in this manner 

 bore the drought of the last five years 

 better than any other herbaceous peren- 

 nial grown at Langport, and stood the 

 winter so well that not 3 per cent, suffered. 

 Some commend the Gaillardia for bedding, 

 though it is seldom grown in this way, 



ica, and therefore cannot in cold soils be 

 depended on. 



The culture of the perennial Gaillardia is 

 not beset with difficulties, and the plant is 

 seen best in bold groups, rather than small 

 clumps here and there in the border. If 

 established plants in pots are obtained in 

 April and put out in the places they are 

 to occupy about 2 ft. apart each way, a 

 good bloom may be expected the same 

 season if the soil is well dug and mixed 

 with well-decayed manure. Mr. W. Kel- 

 way, of Langport, Somerset, in a note to 



but a pretty effect is obtained when plants 

 of one distinct variety, or shades of the 

 same colour, are put about i ft. apart with 

 the stems pegged down. The situation, 

 however, where the Gaillardias remain out 

 winter after winter must be warm, the soil 

 not too heavy, but light and dry. In very 

 cold and wet seasons in Midland counties 

 the plants often succumb ; but it is very 

 easy in the autumn to strike cuttings, 

 which may be taken off" and treated 

 similarly to the Pelargonium, or seeds 

 raised in March, and the plants hardened 



