30 



POPULAR GARDENING. 



November, 



Hardy Flowers in Masses. 



The way to show off the true loveliness of 

 many hardy flowers, is to grow them in 

 masses. Sniall puny pieces of such free- 

 growing things, as, for instance. Dwarf 

 Phloxes, the Aubrietias, Windflowers, and 

 many other flowers that could be men- 

 tioned, says an English authority, give us no 

 more idea of their real beauty than a sprig 

 of Honeysuckle does of a plant when seen 

 clambering over hedges 

 by the wayside. Many of 

 the most beautiful fea- 

 tures in the garden are 

 the masses of hardy 

 flowers, especially those 

 of mossy growth that 

 hang down over the 

 ledges, and give brilliant 

 patches of color. It is 

 when seen in this way 

 that we become enrap- 

 tured with the simple 

 beauty of Alpines, and 

 wish that more would re- 

 peat such effects and not 

 kill the plants vrith kind- 

 ness, as is too often the 

 case, under the impres- 

 sion that they are tender 

 and fastidious. 



Aubrietias and many 

 of the Rock Pinks need 

 no special conditions be- 

 yond a sunny nook and 

 plenty of space to spread 

 at will. It is when they 

 are constantly tampered 

 with by dividing that the 

 plants are hindered from 

 making that progress that 

 they would do it left 

 alone, as in Nature. It is, 

 of course, impossible 

 where the garden is small 

 to grow many things and 

 have large patches of 

 each; but it is infinitely 

 better to restrict the num- 

 ber, and do those well, 

 than have a lot of weak- 

 ly things that give but 

 little pleasure. 



The waving masses of 

 the apennine Windflower, 

 Bluebells, and, earlier in 

 the year, Snowdrops, 

 Daffodils, and Crocuses at 

 Kew were a source of the 

 greatest delight to the 

 visitors, simply because 

 they were grown as 

 naturally as possible, 

 peering up in the Grass, 

 as we should expect to 

 see them in their homes 

 on the mountain slopes, 

 or in the valley, as the 

 case may be. Treating our 

 hardy flowers in this way costs but little, 

 gives scarcely any trouble, and the pleasure 

 derived is ten times as great to those who 

 admire simply beauty as if only a wretched 

 scrap was seen. 



In exhibiting hardy flowers it is far better 

 to show large tufts than small bits, and this 

 is becoming the fashion, for such we must 

 call it, with the result that we have bolder 

 groups of flowers, that, seen at the show, 

 are as effective and telling as we can desire. 

 Wbatever it is, whether the Rock Pink in a 

 chink on the wall, or the apennine Wind- 

 flower in the wild garden, or the Marsh 

 Marigold in the moist corner, let all grow 

 as naturally as possible, and they vnW bloom 

 with their wonted freedom and brilliancy. 



It is a pity that that class of hardy flowers 

 —the aquatic plants— does not receive a lit- 

 tle more favor. It is not difficult to establish 



what is known as a bog garden, and the 

 specimen in the centre of the Kew rockery 

 is a good model ot its kind. There the 

 March Marigolds grow like weeds, and such 

 things as the scarlet Lobelia, a truly mois- 

 ture-loving plant, Sarracenia purpurea, 

 Spir»a palmata, etc., find conditions which 

 by their vigorous nature they thoroughly 

 enjoy. It is true pleasure to see flowers un- 

 der artificial conditions growing as if they 



hangs down its semi-double flowers like 

 Lilies. Sow in September or October for 

 next year's planting; but if sown late it'had 

 best be in a cold frame. No flowers should 

 be grown without special attention be paid 

 to improvement. If we are slovenly enough 

 to allow the fruits or flowers to retrograde 

 on our hands, we are retrograding also. 

 Another flower that I am never tired of 



is the Lily. 



It 



FLOWERS OF PYRETHRUM ULIGINOSUM. Drawnon Ptipxilar aarrJeni7w Grnt(7>6x. 

 September 30, reduced in size. See page 25. 



were planted by the hand of nature in their 

 native homes 



Flowers for Enthusiasts. 



E. P. POWELL, ONEIDA CO., N. Y. 



A few flowers always awaken my enthu- 

 siasm. Among them are Hollyhocks. So 

 capable is this flower of improvement and 

 endless variety, that it pays us for every 

 effort at careful culture. But it is sure to 

 run back if neglected. I find it essential to 

 select seed of the best varieties, and plant 

 them when ready in beds somewhat closer 

 than needed. Then dig out the poorer sorts 

 when they come to bloom. Better yet, when 

 you get a fine strain, divide the roots and so 

 multiply it. I grow this flower along my 

 fences, and border my fields with it. It is 

 grand at a distance, running from purest 

 white to nearly black. One strain of white 



is a constant wonder that, 

 cheap as these bulbs now 

 are, they are not more 

 generally in cultivation. 

 I find Hyacinths every- 

 where, but not LOies, 

 except coarser sorts. I 

 expect that one reason is 

 that the very soil and 

 richness that suits a Hya- 

 cinth kills a Lily. Manure 

 is death to most of them. 

 The Longifloriim or 

 Easter sorts are generally 

 classed as hardy, but are 

 not absolutely so. An 

 open winter generally 

 puts an end to them. 



It is best to cover all 

 Lilies with some coarse 

 litter, leaves or evergreen 

 boughs. The Candidum 

 is so superb that it should 

 be grown in masses every- 

 where. The fragrance is 

 superb. I have had Aura- 

 tums in bloom for nearly 

 three months. I think 

 this flne Lily is sporting 

 its habits. The early 

 flowering have shorter 

 stalks and smaller flowers, 

 but richer colors. The 

 Speciosum is for general 

 planting about as valu- 

 able as Candidum, being 

 quite hardy and noble in 

 colors and fragrance. 



1 hope thousands will 

 invest this fall in a bed 

 of Lilies. Select Candi- 

 dum, Longiflorum, Ti- 

 gridium, Speciosum, Au- 

 ratum, and the little Si- 

 berian Lily, with a plenty 

 of native meadow Lilies. 

 I heartily recommend 

 still more attention to 

 Gladioli. The flower is 

 magnificent in coloring, 

 and of endless variation 

 in flakes and stripes and 

 selfs. The Gandavensis 

 stock offers us thousands 

 of truly fine varieties, and 

 any one can with atten- 

 tion raise for himself 

 choice seedlings as good 

 as the best. For five years 

 past these have been 

 rivalled by a strain of Gladiolus Lemoinei. 

 Now we have a very fine set of crosses from 

 Purpurea auratus and Gandavensis. These 

 will stand a good deal of attention. So far 

 these flowers are scentless. This is a great 

 drawback. It may be in time remedied by 

 farther efforts in the way of selection and 

 crossing. Turicensis is a new cross offered 

 this spring. 



Among my own seedlings I have a sort 

 that holds ;its cup directly upward like a 

 Tulip. I have designated it Tulipifera and 

 hope to see it the parent of a new style. 



The Gladiolus is truly remarkable as a cut 

 flower, opening all its buds in a vase almo.st 

 as well as in the ground. It is a bright, 

 cheerful flower that never wearies the eye. 

 It has also the advantage of needing little 

 room for its roots and growth, and is of 

 easiest possible cultivation. 



