PIANT PROPAGATION 271 



propagated. Scotch and Moss Roses, Galycanthus, Lilacs and Black- 

 berries may all be propagated in this way. 



Division of Perennials 



Perhaps the commonest method of propagation of perennials and 

 the one which is easiest, is the division of the clumps, the main crowns 

 being cut into a number of pieces. The plants should be divided very 

 early in Spring before growth starts, or late in the Fall. This is the 

 most used method of propagating Iris, Peonies and Phlox. German 

 Iris should be so divided every three. Phlox every four, and Peonies 

 every six or seven years, while Michaelmas Daisy, Achillea Ptarmica 

 and millefolium rosemn, Helianthus, Gedum, some Veronicas, Chrys- 

 anthemums, (Enothera, and all perennials which sucker badly should 

 be moved and divided every year. Artemisia, Boltonia, Campanula, 

 Geum, Funkia, Doronicum, Armeria, Thalictrum are all propagated 

 by division. 



SEED SOWING 

 Perennials and Annuals from Seed 



If we possess coldframes and hotbeds we can sow many of the 

 perennials in March and get them to bloom the same year. We can 

 sow annuals also and have them of excellent size for setting in open 

 ground. We may also sow perennials and annuals out of doors, in 

 which case some will bloom the first year, but with others a longer time 

 will be required. 



The following are a few of the perennials which will bloom the 

 first year from seed: Gaillardia, Iceland Poppy, Chinese Larkspur 

 (Delphinium chinense), Lychnis, Shasta Daisy, Platycodon. 



On the other hand, there are many perennials which wait a year 

 before flowering, namely: Cardinal Flower, Golden Alyssum, Cam- 

 panula, Aquilegia (Columbine), Foxglove, Loosestrife, Physostegia, 

 Hollyhock, Sweet Rocket. 



The main advantage of growing perennials and annuals from seed 

 is that it saves the cost of buying plants, which runs up pretty high 

 when quantities of plants must be bought from nurseries. Many 

 of the best varieties do not come true to seed, however, for seedlings 

 often vary in color and habit. This is true especially of highly bred 

 plants, hybrids which have resulted from the incorporation of several 

 species. Peonies, Phlox, Iris and such perennials should be purchased, 

 not raised from seed. 



Vegetables 



The hotbed or coldframe is more essential for the vegetable garden 

 than it is for the flower, since we can get the crops so much earlier. 



