GENERAL DISCUSSION ON HARDY FLOWERS. 



OPENED BY EDWARD O. ORPET, SOUTH LANCASTER, MASS. 



Saturday, February 17, 1906. 



A general discussion of the subject of hardy perennial flowers 

 and their culture was held at Horticultural Hall today. Edward O. 

 Orpet opened the discussion and spoke on the topic of the day 

 substantially as follows: 



He said that this was the second time he had spoken before this 

 Society on the subject of hardy garden flowers. This style of gar- 

 dening had been crowded out in years past by the formal carpet 

 garden, but was now rapidly coming to the front again and was 

 receiving the attention its merits deserve. William Robinson of 

 England has done more than any other man living in advocacy of 

 the hardy garden. He brought out the woodland flowers and called 

 attention to the fact that many of the wild plants were more beauti- 

 ful in the garden than in the wood. 



There are two systems in common use in the arrangement of the 

 hardy garden ; the massing of plants for color effects, and the mixed 

 border. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages 

 which will be brought out in the course of this discussion. It is 

 generally necessary to include some tender plants and some annuals 

 in the hardy garden to fill the gaps which are sure to occur and to 

 insure a continuous succession of floral effects throughout the season. 



It is a difficult matter to make all kinds of plants grow in the 

 same soil, especially when we consider the vast territory from which 

 the various species have been drawn. Lilies, for example, do not 

 like a rich soil, but phlox and larkspur cannot be overfed, and others 

 prefer a poor soil. 



In the preparation of the garden it is essential to work the soil 



