170 BORDER 



the greater possibilities we have are due largely to our 

 greater wealth in plants. 



To have a good flower border is by no means an ex- 

 pensive undertaking if a few essentials are regarded. 



245. Border on the side of a lawn, the body of the 

 plantation being made of shrubbery. 



The first and most important requisite is a good depth 

 of soil ; it matters little what the kind of soil, if good, 

 but it is better, if possible, to vary the texture and be 

 able to control the quantity of moisture. Lilies are 

 among the most beautiful of border flowers, but they 

 like a soil that is light, cool and moist ; hence decayed 

 humus, as leaf -mold, is valuable. Many other subjects, 

 as annuals from warmer climates, like a soil that ab- 

 sorbs heat rapidly and retains it, such as a soil of a 

 sandy texture. In this will thrive all bulbs that die 

 down early in summer, such as tulips and narcissuses. It 

 enables the bulbs to mature well and remain dry in 

 winter, and to make an early start in spring. The great 

 majority of plants, however, require a retentive compost, 

 that will not dry out readily in hot weather, and it must 

 be made rich enough to grow vegetable crops. One 

 cannot starve the plant and expect a good harvest of 

 bloom. If the natural soil be not really good or suitable, 

 make it so. If it is not possible to do it all at once, be- 

 gin well, and add to it as time goes on and the plants 

 need the space, for it will be found that in a mixed bor- 

 der of plants which practically take care of themselves, 

 there will always be plenty for one's own use, and a 

 quantity of roots to spare. 



The location of such a border is an important con- 

 sideration so far as general effect and efficiency are con- 

 cerned. Along the line of a fence or boundary, near the 

 margin of a walk, drive, or avenue, or next the house, 

 are good locations. The front line 

 may be straight, curved or irregular 

 in outline, according to the situation 

 or fancy of the owner. The plants 

 will lend themselves kindly to one or 

 all forms, oftentimes forming a line 

 of their own by outgrowing their al- 

 lotted space. The number of subjects 

 suitable for this kind of work are 

 many. Begin with the old-fashioned 

 flowers, such as peonies, dicentras, 

 larkspurs, perennial poppies, py- 

 rethrums, iris, hemerocallis, and a 

 host of others. Hollyhocks are most 

 excellent, but in the East the disease 

 or rust must be kept off by thorough 

 spraying. The perennial garden 

 phlox must be added, but see to it 

 that it does not seed the bed and 

 produce a tiresome crop of poor, 

 weedy sorts. The same may be said 

 of the larkspur. In fact, unless 

 some specially marked flowers are wanted for seeds, 

 it is best not to allow border plants to seed in the 

 soil, for they speedily make trouble. Sweet-smelling 



BORDER 



plants are very desirable, such as bergamot, monarda, 

 the perennial fennel, with its graceful foliage for blend- 

 ing with cut-flowers, a little bush of rue, one of marjo- 

 ram, a plant of the lemon-scented verbena or aloysia 

 (which may be wintered over indoors), the scented gera- 

 niums, southernwood, and many others that have old 

 associations, and help to take the memory back of self 

 and friends. Spring flowers must not be neglected, as 

 they "come before the swallow dares." Narcissuses in 

 many kinds are hardy and permanent ; so, also, are the 

 Darwin tulips, even though unlike the florists' ideal. 

 This recent race of tulips and those of the Gesneriana 

 type live year after year and grow better, besides giv- 

 ing fine blooms for cutting. Crocuses may be placed near 

 the margins in warm corners, planting over them or 

 sowing a few seeds of annuals to cover the soil that 

 hides them in summer. Stocks, zinnias, asters and 

 mignonette are all admissible and most suitable, with a 

 clump or row of sweet peas near the back at intervals. 

 Gladioluses are excellent. The lilies ought to be planted 

 in a group, to do them justice, and the bulbs can then be 

 covered in fall with a coat of dry leaves or pine needles 

 to protect them. The regal Japan iris needs much wa- 

 ter, and may be given a special bed, where it can be sup- 

 plied freely, other semi-aquatic plants being placed with 

 them, provided the one border does not give the desired 

 variety of soils ; but the whole of the above-named 

 plants may be made to grow in a mixed border if it be 

 properly prepared. 



One of the best uses of a border is to make it a re- 

 pository or catch-all for hardy plants. Here plant wild 

 asters and goldenrods, wild lilies and buttercups, and 

 anything and everything which interests you in the 

 woods or fields. These plants may be dug even in sum- 

 mer. Cut off the tops, leaving a few leaves just above 

 the ground, plant them firmly, and most of them will 

 live. The border reflects the personality of its maker. 

 One caution must be given, never spade up or fork 

 over such a border. Let all enrichment be given as a 

 top-dressing in fall, allowing the plants to come up 

 through it as they will. The best time to plant is early 

 in fall, before the soil loses 

 its stored-up warmth, as the 

 plants then get well estab- 

 lished before spring ; but if 

 division and replanting are 

 necessary, wait until things 

 have made a visible start 

 spring, so that nearby 

 plants are not injured by the 



246. An informal border along the fence 



