GENERAL MAINTENANCE 29 



THINNING SHRUBBERY PLANTINGS 



After a few years of growth the larger growing shrubs are apt to 

 become overcrowded. When separate plants can be removed here and 

 there without leaving large and conspicuous voids in the foliage mass, 

 such judicious thinning is advisable. Often it is necessary to respace a 

 number of shrubs if they are to appear well after thinning. When 

 this is the case, those, which would be replanted in their same position, 

 were they removed, should be determined and the others taken up. 

 The few shrubs needed to fill the void, can then be replanted. 



RE-WORKING PERENNIALS PLANTING 



When herbaceous perennials are planted in the border in front of 

 shrubs it is often necessary to move them forward as the shrubs grow 

 and spread out. With the exception of Peonies, Gas Plant, and a few 

 others, most perennials are benefitted by being moved and thinned. 

 Most perennials are such gross feeders that they rapidly exhaust the 

 soil about them. It must be remembered that they are grown for 

 foliage and flower and make heavy demands upon the soil. Some 

 varieties have a tendency to develop large crowns and heavy root 

 masses in a way which causes them to crowd themselves and others. 

 By re-working the whole border, or parts of it, every 2 to 4 years, 

 according to the growth, these evils can be corrected. The plants can 

 be taken up and divided, then replanted in soil that has been replenished 

 and fertilized. An opportunity for making a new and luxuriant 

 growth is thus afforded. 



KEEPING THE BORDER ATTRACTIVE 



No garden or border of perennials should be allowed to become 

 overcrowded or too bare. Removal of a few plants, where they have 

 become crowded, may entail a sacrifice, but it should be done. 



Bare places are bound to occur at unexpected times and in unex- 

 pected places. If left unfilled, they are apt to ruin the appearance of 

 the border. Where possible it is best to replace the plants that have 

 died, with the same varieties. For emergency use and for general sup- 

 plementary planting, annual flowers are the life savers. Many of the 

 annuals can be sown directly in the place where they are to serve, 

 while others can be moved in as needed. There is hardly a border that 

 can present a good appearance throughout the season without the use 

 of annuals. Many annuals can be moved from the nursery or service 

 garden into the border in mid-season if the proper precautions are 

 taken not to disturb the roots. 



Flowers should be removed by cutting instead of by breaking. 

 Flowers having gone to seed will appear unsightly and discourage 

 further blooming if not removed. 



