WINTER PROTECTION AND MULCHING 103 



fore freezing weather, in a late fall, and at the beginning of freezing 

 weather in an early fall. In reality, it is not as essential, as we often 

 assume it to be, that perennial borders, regardless of the material they 

 contain or the type of soil in which the perennials are planted, should 

 be mulched during the winter months. There are hundreds of gardens 

 which pass through the winter without any protection whatsoever 

 being given to the plants. These gardens are not, however, those 

 which are developed on clay loam soil. The general feeling is that 

 plants are mulched and given this winter protection because otherwise 

 they would not be hardy. Quite to the contrary, most of these per- 

 ennials are hardy, and as a matter of fact it is rarely possible that 

 any amount of mulching such as is ordinarily provided for the garden 

 can make any perennial hardy which is not by nature perfectly hardy 

 in the climatic and exposed condition where it is growing. Every 

 person who is responsible for the mulching of a perennial garden 

 should use only a loose texture of material for mulching purposes. 

 When mulching perennials place stakes beside small plants and those 

 which begin growth late in the spring. This will prevent any loss 

 when the mulch is spaded in or removed in the spring. Perennials 

 with persistent leaves should not be mulched with anything which will 

 mat down. This applies to foxgloves, hollyhocks, sweet williams, and 

 violas. Cornstalks and leaves which drop late are best for such a 

 mulch. Boxes filled with leaves may be inverted over plants; but when 

 this is done the top should be watertight or damage may follow. Some 

 tender plants such as pansies and snapdragons may be carried over the 

 winter if a heavy mulch is applied before freezing weather appears. 



Bulbs and Lilies — Winter Protection of. Eremurus and the 

 tenderest lilies should be protected by a mound of ashes which will 

 help shed water and retain an even temperature. All bulbs should be 

 mulched with leaves, manure, or litter. If bulbs are planted in the 

 heavier types of soil it is quite necessary to cover the crown with a 

 good mulch which will maintain in the ground a more even temperature 

 and will lessen the possibility of injury to the bulbs because of sudden 

 fluctuations of temperature (freezing and thawing conditions), which 

 cause heaving of the soil. It should be borne in mind that bulbs 

 start growth very early in the spring. If the mulch is left on the sur- 

 face of the ground until after the bulbs have started growth, especially 

 in a sunny exposure, then the bulbs become spindly and strong plants 



