Encyclopaedia of Gardening 121 



KIND. 



Epilobium angustifolium 

 Eremurus himalaicus 



robustus 



Gynerium (Pampas Grass) 

 Helianthus (Sunflower) 



Lilium auratum 



giganteum 



Polygonum (Knotweed) 

 Rudbeckia maxima 

 Solidago (Golden Rod) 



In addition to the natural species, there are numerous garden varie- 

 ties of the best plants. Propagation : The majority of the herba- 

 ceous plants are best propagated by division when the borders are 

 gone through, as they should be every year. In dividing them, it 

 should be remembered that the outside parts are generally stronger 

 than the central portions. Many good herbaceous plants may, 

 however, be raised from seed, and with a little forethought a valu- 

 able stock of plants can be provided. A simple way of dealing with 

 them is to sow the seed in drills outdoors in June, with Wallflowers 

 and other biennials, thin the rows, and set the plants in a spare 

 bed in July, drawing from this nursery when planting time comes. 

 Those which are not forward enough to transplant the first year 

 may be left till the second. Michael- 

 mas Daisies, Phloxes, Snapdragons, 

 and Pentstemons may be raised from 

 cuttings, the two first in spring, 

 rooted in sandy soil in a frame, and 

 then planted out, the others in autumn 

 in a cool frame. Staking : The object 

 of good culture to get large, vigorous, 

 freely-bloomed plants is frustrated 

 unless timely and adequate staking is 

 done. It is no exaggeration to say 

 that the beauty of an herbaceous 

 border is doubled from mid - July 

 onward by good staking. Loose, 

 floppy plants are made compact, fresh 

 growth is encouraged, and with new 

 shoots comes another crop of flowers. 

 Ordinary flower sticks and bamboo 

 canes are of little use; strong square 

 stakes 4 to 6 ft. long, according to the 

 plant, are required. These can be 

 bought from florists, painted green, and with the base pointed 

 and tarred; but the rough material can be bought in winter, 

 planed, painted, pointed, and tarred. This is a suitable job for 

 hands in wet weather. There should be two bands, one about a 

 third and the other about two-thirds the height of the clump. 



HOW TO STAKE PLANTS. 



Note that the shoots are looped 

 to the stake, not bunched. 



