HARDY PERENNIAL PLANTS. 19 



collector. Our purpose should be the embellishment of home 

 grounds, large and small, and we should choose such as are 

 adapted for the purpose. 



HARDY PERENNIAL PLANTS. 



No grounds, however limited in extent, should be with- 

 out some hard perennials, and it is difficult to understand 

 why so few are cultivated. When once planted they are 

 lasting-, and do not need the care required to grow annuals. 

 Perhaps the most satisfactory way to grow these " nurslings 

 of nature " is in borders by themselves. I will refer briefly 

 to a few species, supplementing- these with a list which may 

 be cultivated to advantage. 



THE P^ONY. The Pseony is the noblest and showiest 

 of the perennials and is very fragrant. I would strongly 

 urge every person who owns a piece of ground to obtain a 

 good collection of these plants, which George Ellwanger says 

 " almost rivals the rose in brilliancy of color and perfection 

 of bloom, and the rhododendron in stately growth." 



The Chinese varieties are all hardy, and by having a 

 dozen or more varieties the more the better one can have 

 them in bloom from almost June 1st to July 15th. They do 

 not bloom until the second year after planting, and scarcely 

 need any attention. After they once become established 

 they continue to increase in beauty year by year. The fol- 

 lowing list includes early, medium and late, and is perhaps 

 as good a one as can be obtained : 



P. Ambrose Vershaffelt Purplish crimson, very fragrant. 



P. Baron James Rothschild Outside petals rose, centre 

 salmon. 



P. Delachi Dark purplish crimson, shaded violet. 



P. Eugene Verdier Blush shaded with pink. 



P. Globosa Grandiflora White, large globular flowers. 



P. Louis Van Houttee(Calot) Bright purple cherry, large. 



P. Madame Victor Verdier Crimson rose, light violet, 

 large. 



P. Modeste Deep rose. 



