24 



A LITTLE BOOK OF PERENNIALS 



grown from seed. However, many perennials are not propagated by 

 this method because they are hybrid in nature and do not come true 

 to the variety. Peonies, Irises, Phloxes and scores of others are failures 

 when grown from seed, except for those who are interested in seeing 

 just what the result might be. Furthermore, it takes a long time to 

 get some perennials to bloom when raised from seed. 



Nevertheless, for the scores which are not good, there are hun- 

 dreds of perennials which are highly successful. 



TIME TO SOW 



In order that we may have large plants for our gardens, the seeds 

 are best sown in May, June or July, unless otherwise noted in subse- 

 quent notes under the alphabetical list. Certain plants make little 

 growth when sown late; certain others germinate slowly. Gaillardias, 

 Shasta Daisies, Chinese Larkspur, Platycodon, Hibiscus, Iceland 

 Poppy, Lychnis and some other perennials bloom the first year from 

 seed if sown in early Spring; most other perennials do not. 



Forget-me-nots, EngUsh Daisies, Hollyhocks, Oriental Poppy, 

 Sweet WilUams and Pansies are best sown in August, otherwise the 

 plants are apt to become too large for convenient handhng in the 

 Spring. 



THE WAY TO SOW 



Those persons who would raise perennials from seed should have a 

 coldframe. The well prepared soil in the frame should be several inches 

 above the soil outside the frame so that the frame may have perfect 

 drainage. After sowing the seed thinly in rows it should be covered 

 with sand, leafmold or fine soil, the depth of covering to depend upon 

 the size of the seed. Fine seed should be covered with a piece of burlap 

 but no soil. Large seeds may be safely covered twice their diameter. 



Perennials in a coldframe. 



