124 ORI^AMEl^TAL GARDENING. 



edgings, as when grown thus they can be easily protected. 

 The Irish Ivy {H. Helix, var. Hibernica), is about the 

 best for general planting. There are a number of inter- 

 esting varieties with variegated and striking forms of 

 foliage, all more or less useful. 



CHAPTER IX. 



HARDY HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 



Let me introduce the plants that come under this head 

 as the Hardy Wild Plants of the temperate regions of 

 the earth, and then it may be known at once what they 

 are. The lists embrace such as are perennial, having 

 roots that Hve from year to year, producing new growths 

 above ground annually, but which die down as often, 

 eitUer soon after flowering, or in the fall. Many of the 

 kinds have been much improved in the gardens, afford- 

 ing numerous varieties that greatly exceed the parents in 



value. 



It is a pleasure to note the increasing attention this 

 class of plants is now attracting in ornamental garden- 

 ing in this country and Europe. As a rule they are 

 easily grown, very ornamental ^nd Jnexpensive, for, un- 

 like most other kinds of flowers, Avhen once they are 

 planted, they remain. 



Pains have been taken in this chapter, to classify these 

 plants somewhat, according to their adaptability and 

 value. To save space, I have generally, in the descrip- 

 tions, merely separated the distinguishing qualities of the 

 plants by the semicolon, giving color of flowers first, sea- 

 son of flowering next, with the hight in inches or feet 

 last. The word '' protect," indicates that the sort which 

 it follows, must be protected in the Northern States in 

 ■winter. 



