A PERENNIAL BORDER 49 



it will damage the plants and do more harm than good. 

 Weeds are sure to appear, but the hoe will keep them down ; 

 if, however, there be many, rake or pick them off at once, 

 or the first rain will restart them. With a little skill and 

 practice the border may be hoed without leaving the surface 

 untidy. 



Staking and Tying : This comes next in importance. 

 Some plants need staking and tying very early, notably 

 Doronicums, and nearly all tall perennials need stakes and 

 ties during the summer months ; without support they fall 

 about. 



Erigeron speciosus only requires two or three small sticks 

 and a couple of ties or so round each clump, and much 

 the same may be said of Chrysanthemum maximum. The 

 tall Lychnis and Centranthus ruber (Valerian) require 

 the same treatment, only the sticks must be stronger and 

 longer. Michaelmas Daisies should have one or more good 

 sized stakes driven in close to the clump, and substantial 

 ties. Galega requires a very strong stake, for with good 

 treatment it grows into a regular bush. Tall three year 

 old Lupin plants should have several strong stakes driven 

 in round each clump, and strong ties. Each plant of 

 Helianthus Miss Mellish should have a single strong stake, 

 and the same with Echinops, Anchusas, and Delphiniums, 

 but when the plants are very big several stakes may be 

 required. 



It is difficult not to " bunch " some perennials, notably 

 Galega. The object should be to combine firmness and 

 security with natural appearance, which is hard to do. 

 Some amount of " bunching " cannot be avoided. 

 Remember also to stake and tie as early as need be, other- 

 wise the plants may get blown over in a single night, and 

 be spoilt. 



Mulching : The advantage of mulching perennials in 

 the summer is very great, especially on hot dry soils. The 

 soil must first be well hoed up, and watered thoroughly. 

 After watering, place a layer of rotted horse dung round 

 the roots of the plants on the freshly watered soil. As 



