324 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



heads of bloom and are of the most vivid colors. If planted in 

 masses, they make your eyes ache, and perhaps set your teeth on edge 

 if they have not been properly planted as regards shades. In plant- 

 ing in masses always put in a plenty- of the white varieties and save 

 your nerves. Perennial Phlox seems to be the only flower whose 

 colors will not harmonize when planted in masses, but with plenty 

 of white interspersed that unpleasantness is avoided. White Phlox 

 is especially pretty for cut flowers. I know of nothing so pretty for 

 large bouquets in summer as white Phlox and Fern fronds. They 

 look so cool and choice, not common at all, and the Phlox is fra- 

 grant. Phlox are nice for the border, each variety separated by some 

 other perennial plant or shrub, or among shrubbery, where it lights 

 up the somber greens and adds much to the appearance of the 

 grounds after the blooming season is over for most of the shrubs. 

 The dwarf, early flowering Phlox commences to bloom in June and 

 with me rarely has more than one blooming period. The tall, late 

 blooming commence to bloom in July and bloom more or less until 

 hard frost. You cannot make a mistake in planting these new varie- 

 ties, and you will realize on your investment the first year and every 

 year thereafter. So try them if you have not already done so. 



If you have a shady corner somewhere don't fail to plant some 

 native ferns and a few wild flowers from the woods. Hepatica Tri- 

 loba, Bloodroot, Dicentra, Adder Tongue, the wild Wood Phlox and 

 others. I have some Hepatica Tribola planted along the north side 

 of the house, which I prize more than anything I have. They come 

 so early, are so dainty, so free in bloom that I can pick all I wish 

 for bouquets and still have more. The foliage also is ornamental 

 the entire season. 



If I have exhausted your patience, which I must have, I have 

 not by any means exhausted the list of perennials that any one can 

 grow and with much less care than you must bestow on annuals or 

 bedding plants, and you need never be without blossoms from early 

 spring until late autumn. In this class belong the Lily and Iris, some 

 varieties of each being especially beautiful, notably so the Japan 

 Lilies and the Japan Iris in great variety. In fact, we must thank 

 Japan for many of our most beautiful flowers and shrubs. The 

 choicest varieties in both of these classes are just a little difficult 

 and need specially prepared beds, definite treatment and conditions 

 that are not always obtainable and for that reason every one cannot 

 succeed with them. 



In conclusion, I want to speak of one vine with which I have 

 been more than pleased, and I wish I could induce each one of you 

 to plant one at least this coming spring. It is Clematis Paniculata. 



