94 A LITTLE BOOK OF PERENNIALS 



soil near the Iiouse in the shade which is common ahout most of our 

 homes. 



Culture. Before planting the Day Lilies, the ground should be 

 prepared to a good depth and enriched with manure. They grow best 

 in moderately rich soil where a good supply of moisture is available. 

 They will grow either in sunhght or shade, but they grow best in partial 

 shade, even in the northern exposures, where very few other plants 

 will grow. 



Propagation. The division of the root clumps is the easiest 

 method of propagating the Day Lilies. Some produce seeds which 

 grow readily if planted soon after the seeds ripen. 



Gaillardia — Blanket Flower 



The satisfactory Blanket Flowers deserve a place in all gardens. 

 They are showy, bloom under adverse conditions and are easy of cul- 

 ture. The great improvement in colors which has gone on in recent 

 years is marvelous. There are both annual and perennial species, both 

 of which have become so varied in their form and colors that the best 

 test of a perennia' sort is to wait until Spring. If it lives through the 

 Winter and blooms the next year, it is perennial The perennial sorts 

 are catalogued as Gaillardia arisiata {grandiflora) . The flowers are 

 often clear rich yellow or clear wine red, but usually the petals are 

 broadly margined with yellow and the remainder of the flower is some 

 shade of crimson. The centers of the flowers are frequently a deep 

 maroon. 



Uses. Gaillardias are especially good for the perennial border 

 where they start to flower in June and continue after many other flow- 

 ers are killed by the frost. They are also prized as cut flowers and for 

 tliis purpose should be cut when the flowers are slightly cup-shaped 

 before the petals have reflexed. Without apparent harm the flowers 

 may be kept out of water in carrying them from one place to another. 



Culture. All persons who have grown GaiUardias know that 

 they bloom even during protracted droughts. They prefer the full 

 sun and a sandy soil. Old plants have a tendency to become "blmd," 

 that is, they grow nicely but produce no flowers. Such clumps should 

 be dug and divided. 



Propagation. When raised from seed they do not bloom unless 

 started very early. They are easily raised, however, the seed ger- 

 minating in five to eight days. 



