DEPENDABLE PERENNIALS 137 



summer. Close cutting of the flower stalks is necessary to gain 

 this result, but for both the flowers in the border and for vases 

 in the rooms they are very desirable and not usually seen in the 

 South. 



SPRING PLANTINGS OF EARLY PERENNIALS 



Unquestionably April is the most beautiful month of the year 

 in this section. Then it is that the Spring-blossoming shrubs 

 are in full flower, the bulbs are still glorious, Darwin Tulips, Iris 

 and Lilies show all their exquisite loveliness. The Dogwoods 

 star the roadsides, woodlands and gardens, the drooping racemes 

 of the Wistaria hang from every trellis, screen and porch, and 

 golden-hearted Cherokee Roses send out spicy fragrance on the 

 soft, balmy air. The blue sky and warm sunshine of noontide 

 alternate with the chill of the midnight air, and so this is the 

 accepted time for planting the seed of those perennials which 

 will not germinate in the heat of the later days. Few southern 

 gardeners plant the early perennials which are the one thing lack- 

 ing from the radiant glory of our April bloom. All southern 

 gardens, where there is room, should know the dainty loveliness 

 of the Aquilegias, the soft-hued Campanulas, the stately 

 Digitalis, the wonderful colors of the Platycodon, and the 

 fairy-like Delphiniums. These flowers are not only well worth 

 while in themselves, but they fill the long gap between the Spring 

 flowers of the shrubs and bulbs and the blossoms of the annuals 

 that do not bloom until later in the Summer. 



All of these perennials are valuable for the shaded situations 

 found in every garden and which are usually bare because so few 

 things will grow even in half shade. The heavenly blue tones 

 found in the Campanulas, Delphiniums, Platycodons and Aqui- 

 legias are also unusual in the garden picture. 



Fill the flats as usual, plant the seeds very carefully, and as 

 soon as the plants begin to crowd transplant into a shaded corner 

 of thfe garden. Leave them there until the late Fall and then 

 place them in permanent positions. For two years at least they 

 will repay you for your initial trouble, your careful watching and 

 patient waiting. 



