PERENNIALS FOR DIFFERENT PURPOSES 219 



flowers for cutting. Many perennials are planted for this same 

 purpose. There are a few perennials, such as the blanket flower, 

 ball of snow, larkspur, and marguerite, which are benefited by con- 

 stant cutting, and the flowering season of which is lengthened through 

 this process. There are other perennials, such as the foxglove, peony, 

 and iris, with which the process of cutting flowers does not encourage 

 growth of others during the same season. If such perennials are 

 to be used for cut-flower purposes it is best to plant them in a distinct 

 cut-flower garden. The same discussion concerning a cut-flower 

 garden, and a flower garden as an interesting design, applies to the 

 planting of perennials in the same manner that it applies to the 

 planting of annuals (See Chapter XXXII, Page 238). 



The majority of perennials will continue to increase from year to 

 year and will require "dividing" and transplanting every two or three 

 years. There are other perennials which should be treated as biennials 

 and accordingly replaced completely by new plants at the end of every 

 second year. These plants, such as the foxglove, white pink, English 

 daisy, and bellflower will "run out" after a period of two or three years. 

 They will still continue to grow, but their vigour will be so much less 

 that their presence will be but an apology for strong, healthy speci- 

 mens. All of these plants are known as perennials; but in reality 

 they develop only as biennials. Other perennials, such as the aster, 

 phlox, and iris, which grow into large clumps, should be divided at 

 least every three years. If they are not so treated they will become 

 crowded and the plants will not have space to develop properly and 

 the result will be spindly, unhealthy plants which will not produce 

 normal flower eff"ects. But the peony, in good soil, with space of a 

 diameter of approximately three feet in which to grow, is best left to 

 grow undisturbed for a score of years or more (Page 88). 



Taken on the whole, no more picturesque or graceful eff"ects can be 

 produced anywhere than by appropriate planting along the banks of 

 ponds and streams. The more bold and picturesque a planting mass 

 is, the better it looks when reflected in a still pool; while the flowing 

 lines of a stream are supplemented by the graceful, arching branches of 

 shrubs and vines. Among the most successful and beautiful plants 

 for watersides are the herbaceous perennials. 



Perennials for planting in deep water are largely confined to the lotus 

 and water lilies. These plants should not be permanently planted in 

 ponds which freeze solid during the winter, nor where there is not 



