58 Hardy Plants for Cottage Gardens 



size. While this bed requires daily attention, the plants are 

 cared for collectively with much less trouble than if, as little 

 seedlings, they were reset in permanent positions all over the 

 garden. 



With this sheltered nursery bed I have not only carried 

 young seedlings successfully through the winter, protected 

 with only a light mulch of leaves, but some varieties, planted 

 as seeds in May, have developed into strong blooming plants 

 within three months, such as English daisy (Bellis perennis) 

 and Callirrhoe. The deep well-drained soil is kept moist by the 

 shadow of the stone wall facing the cutting in the bank; and, 

 to give further shade, I have planted above it tall perennials 

 that do not seed readily, such as azure and deep blue lark- 

 spur, white perennial phlox, pink hollyhocks. For spring 

 bloom I have added the early pink lychnis (Lychnis dioica 

 rosea), blue and white columbine, and white foxglove for 

 June; but these must be watched and every seed vessel re- 

 moved, as they sow their seeds far and wide. 



I have also found it an advantage to construct an awning of 

 cheese-cloth over my perennial seed-bed, high enough to ad- 

 mit air and a little sun, yet a protection from the direct noon- 

 day rays. Some advise that this be replaced later with an 

 open lattice-covering made from laths, which would admit 

 more sun. I have not found it advisable because of our long 

 extreme droughts. With my utmost endeavor I can scarcely 

 keep the bed sufficiently moist when a drought continues six 

 to ten weeks, so that cheese-cloth is none too much shelter 

 from the burning heat. Under this light canopy I have had 

 self-sown foxgloves make a tuft of leaves twelve inches across 

 the first season. 



My great trouble is to preserve virgin soil anywhere. No 

 matter at what season I construct a bed, nor from what source 

 I collect my earth, lo! before the bed has cooled from the heat 



