M ^lolcef' (grs^r^d^Q ar)d LaLor). ^ 



DWARF HARDY PERENNIALS. 



T is now that those who are happily 

 the possessors of perennial gardens 

 are being delighted, as one after an- 

 other of their old favorites or new 

 acquisitions display their individual 

 charms under the influence of summer's 

 onward march. 



There is a charm in gardens of small 

 dimensions, at least in those perennials 

 that are of dwarf growth, and as yet as 

 handsome in appearance as their rela- 

 tions of sturdier habits. 



Some of the plants here mentioned 

 have already contributed their share to 

 the brightening of the garden and re- 

 tired till another spring shall wake them 

 to activity. Watch for them however if 

 you have not already the pleasure of 

 their acquaintance. 



The Subulata Phloxes are indeed 

 among the most showy of all perennials. 

 Here they begin to show about May 

 loth, and remain a solid unmarred mass 

 of flower for a full month. As a border- 

 ing for a walk they are always admired, 

 for edging a bed of perennials or spring 

 flowering bulbs we have never found 

 anything more appropriate. 



The foliage which can hardly be seen 

 during the flowering period, is small and 

 narrow ; none of the varieties attain a 

 greater height than 6 inches, but they 



spread quite rapidly. The pure white 

 one Alba, when in flower reminds one 

 of a drift of snow. One is white with a 

 scarlet eye, another dark, rose pink, and 

 very attractive. 



The dwarf Irises claim attention in 

 the garden of small dimensions. The 

 English and Spanish Iris are bulbous 

 rooted, valuable where hardy, but they 

 are not entirely so here. The Siberian 

 Irises grow about i8 inches high, are 

 quite hardy and bear neat long stemmed 

 flowers that are useful for cutting ; the 

 best are the pure white and the 

 clear bright blue varieties. Iris pumila 

 attains a height of not more than seven 

 inches ; the first flowers open about May 

 5th, and the plants are soon thick with 

 clear purple blossoms, in shape exactly 

 like a miniature Iris Germanica. There 

 is a white variety of this species, and sev- 

 eral that closelyresemble/«w;7(r in color. 



Aqiiilegia Bergeriuna received from 

 the Ontario Fruit Growers Association 

 several years ago, proves one of the ear- 

 liest, most dwarf and handsome of all. 

 With us it grows only about 12 inches 

 higl- and produces unusually large, well- 

 expanded flowers, light purple in color, 

 and tach petal tipped with white. The 

 cup is also purple handed at the outer 

 end with sulphur yellow. 



>36 



