

HARDY HERBACEOUS PLANTS 67 



effective than one of twelve. Another item to be considered is the 

 habit of the particular plants. Owing to its bushy, spreading nature, 

 one healthy Paeony plant will fill up as much space as a dozen 

 Phloxes, with their slight, upright growth. The number of plants 

 to constitute a "group" may vary from three to twelve, according 

 to the size of the border and the habit of the plants. 



It is sometimes difficult to insure a fine and continuous effect 

 in a small border without making two plantings, but the little 

 trouble involved in this is so amply compensated by the results 

 obtained that it should never be 

 grudged. As an instance, it is not 

 easy to get spring beauty in border 

 groups without introducing bulbs, 

 such as Tulips. Now these bril- 

 liant flowers become unsightly when 

 the bloom is gone, because of the 

 fading of the foliage. If they are 

 left in the border they mar its 

 beauty; if they are taken up and 

 the ground left bare the gaps are 

 noticeable. The proper course here 

 is undoubtedly to form a reserve of good Asters and Stocks, 

 which may be planted out when the Tulips fade. There is no 

 need to wait until the latter have lost their foliage. They can 

 be transplanted to a reserve bed directly the bloom is over, which, 

 in the case of the late-flowering sections now so popular, may be 

 the end of May or the early half of June. 



The Ivy-leaved Geranium is another plant which comes in useful 

 as a successional plant, and the first half of June is an excellent time 

 to plant it out. A very pretty effect is produced if low stumps, over 

 which the plants may ramble, are put in the border. 



Even more valuable, because of the ease with which it can be 

 raised in quantity from seed in winter or spring, and its long period 



PLANTING IN THREES 

 A, B, and C, clumps. 



