THE HARDY HERBACEOUS BORDER : ITS CONSTRUCTION 

 AND THE CULTIVATION OF A FEW HARDY HER- 

 BACEOUS PERENNIALS. 



By J. O. PRITCHARD. 



IN the flower garden proper the hardy herbaceous border is usually, 

 and undoubtedly should be, an important feature, and, being such, 

 should therefore be apportioned a prominent position in it. 



Some few years ago this important branch of horticulture suffered 

 comparative neglect in consequence of a sudden popularity for orna- 

 mental carpet bedding, in which the chief aim seemed to be extreme 

 formality, which point was always strictly observed. This popularity, 

 however, proved to be to a great extent merely temporary, and as 

 the result a reaction in favour of hardy herbaceous gardening may be 

 said to have set in. 



Notwithstanding the temporary set-back it received, at least as 

 far as the commercial side of the question is concerned, there is scarcely 

 any branch of gardening in which more progress has been made during 

 the last twenty years or so than in the cultivation of hardy herbaceous 

 perennials. In fact it may be said that the almost unlimited number 

 of herbaceous perennials now available for hardy border cultivating 

 renders the selection of desirable and suitable plants for almost any 

 position a comparatively easy matter. 



Whether the soil be heavy or light, chalky or peaty, swamp- 

 like or elevated and fairly dry, plants in number and variety may be 

 found which will, with ordinary care and attention, and the application 

 of a little knowledge in selection and skill in planting, grow and flourish 

 there. 



Some borders thus considered always seem able to present a 

 harmonious spectacle of tastefully arranged plants, in which the various 

 colours, heights, and periods of flowering naturally appear to blend 

 together. 



In the construction of the border itself there are many necessary 

 points to consider before satisfactory results can be gained. Of 

 these, I think the first is to choose a desirable and suitable site. 



To do this with any degree of satisfaction it is always advisable to 

 consider the nature of the immediate locality, for there are some 

 plants which do well and present a glorious picture of colour in one 

 place, whilst in a situation may be only a few miles distant they 

 prove to be utter failures, which no amount of care in cultivation 

 seems able to remedy. 



In all things there is an " ideal," and, in the case of a site for a 

 border of this kind, one in full sun for as long as possible during the 



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