88 THE COMPLETE GARDEN 



and foxgloves, which carry over some fleshy foliage, must be covered 

 lightly, if at all, to prevent rotting of the crowns. It is desirable to 

 leave dead tops, stalks, etc., on the plants until spring. The tops will 

 protect the plants to some extent over winter and there is also less 

 danger to the plant from premature removal of tops in the fall before 

 the latter are entirely dead. Cultivation should cease in the fall after 

 danger from weed seeds maturing is past. This will discourage too 

 late growth, and any weeds will serve as a protective covering. 



It is important that mulch for perennial gardens should not be 

 applied too early. There is a great danger in applying a litter of straw 

 manure or leaves before the warm weather is fully over, and thus 

 encouraging top growth which either rots during the winter or is frozen. 

 Mulch should not be applied until after the first heavy frosts, and 

 preferably not until the ground is slightly frozen in the early winter. 

 The tufted pansy, primrose, and Shasta daisy are very susceptible to 

 injury from a heavy mulch. 



Mulch should not be removed until danger from extreme weather is 

 past. The time for removal is governed by local conditions. The 

 mulch should be removed gradually — not all at once — and extreme 

 care should be used in removal in order not to injure or destroy smaller 

 plants or plants which appear late in the spring. Any mulch has a 

 tendency to delay the spring development of the roots. It should be 

 removed, however, before the ground has become so warm that root 

 growth has become definitely encouraged and the sprouts which are 

 starting to grow are becoming weak and spindly. 



Dividing Perennials, and Renovating Beds. There are some 

 perennials which are benefited by being allowed to remain permanently 

 in one place, such as peonies, gas plants, and bleeding-heart, but the 

 vast majority of plants are not likely to improve unless taken up from 

 time to time, divided, and reset. This is especially true of plants like 

 the iris and the sneeze-weed which spread underground and form mats, 

 soon exhaust soil fertility, and engage in a severe struggle which ham- 

 pers their ornamental development. Likewise, crowns of perennials 

 which give the most desirable flowers bloom only two or three seasons 

 and then die. There is also the necessity for renewing the biennials 

 such as foxgloves, canterbury bells, hollyhocks, and sweet williams. 

 Some perennials such as oriental poppies should not be moved but 

 may be divided with a sharp trowel. The general practice is to 



