CHAPTER XIII 

 HERBACEOUS PLANTS 



LONG lists of hardy herbaceous plants are given in the 

 catalogues of many nurserymen, and a large proportion cf 

 the species and varieties advertised are valuable under 

 proper conditions of soil, exposure and care, but the majority 

 will not give satisfaction under ordinary treatment given by 

 the average amateur. In the following pages are men- 

 tioned only those that are most desirable and easily grown. 



Anemone, Japanese (Anemone japonica). This is the 

 finest of all fall-blooming herbaceous plants for the mixed 

 border. The plant is stately in habit, 2 to 4 feet high, with 

 branching stems which are clothed with large, showy, 

 white, deep red or rose-colored flowers from September 

 to November. A rich soil is required. 



Aster. Starwort, Michaelmas Daisy. Many species 

 of our native asters are very beautiful and, given proper 

 conditions, succeed in cultivation. Under the shade of 

 avenue or street trees or similar shaded situations, Aster 

 cordifolius and A . undulatus grow beautifully in the North- 

 ern States. Other species, as A . ericoides, grow in dry and 

 exposed places; while others, like A. nova-anglice and 

 A. nova-belgii, prefer a moist soil. Aster l&vis grows best 

 in good soil in full sun or partial shade. It will be seen, 

 therefore, that these plants are adapted to various positions 

 on the home grounds. They are very effective when massed 

 in the flower border or in wild garden. Most of them are 

 improved in habit in cultivation. The English call these 



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