HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS WE SHOULD GROW 49 



annuals should be added. Annuals have a particular charm be- 

 cause quick results may be obtained with them, and although they 

 are secondary in a border, they are nevertheless of vital importance 

 in making a successful garden. 



Another reason for the popularity of perennials at the present 

 time is because of the fact that great improvements have been 

 brought about by our nurserymen and plant hybridizers. We 

 have much finer and many more varieties for planting than had 

 our predecessors. It is only when a comparison is made between 

 Delphinium, Paeony, Phlox, Asters, etc. of today with those in 

 general cultivation ten or fifteen years ago that one realizes the 

 extraordinary improvements that have been made. 



Summing up the reasons for the increasing interest that has 

 been taken in the cultivation of hardy herbaceous perennials the 

 past few years, we must not overlook the fact that they are planted 

 for effects to cover a period of years. Then too, there is no group 

 of plants more adaptable to varied conditions of soil and location. 

 While the majority of species prefer a good deep soil and an open 

 position, there are a number which succeed under partially shaded 

 conditions, and soil heavy and light, or moist and dry. iVlthough 

 they thrive best in the flower garden proper, there are a few which 

 will grow better planted in the rockery, shrubbery border, or the 

 wild garden. I might add at this point that men who are familiar 

 with the construction of gardens have made the statement that the 

 year 1916 went down in the history of gardening as the year of the 

 the true beginning of rock gardening in this country. The inter- 

 est in this type of gardening was stimulated to some extent by the 

 fine displays of rock garden plants at the exhibitions throughout 

 the land the past season. 



Professional gardeners and amateurs have long ago come to the 

 conclusion that the perennial border has passed the experimental 

 stage and is now an important feature in every modern flower 

 garden. From a well-planned garden or border is derived a feeling 

 of quiet and rest that no amount of showy bedding plants such as 

 red Geraniums, yellow Coleus, or Scarlet Sage can give us. By 

 making the proper selection, any garden can be made attractive 

 from early spring until fall. 



Coming to the species and varieties we should grow, we now 



