NOTEWORTHY PERENNIALS 97 



Geum — Avens 



Among our pernicious weeds is one whose seeds are provided with 

 hooks which catch in our clothing when on a Summer walk through the 

 woods. This is a Geum. It is a surprise, therefore, to lind several ex- 

 cellent perennial flowers as its relatives. The common species, Geum 

 coccineum, or chiloense as it is more properly called, grows from 12 inches 

 to 18 inches high with hairy leaves, somewhat resembling those of a 

 Strawberry. The flowers are both double and single and are borne on 

 branched stems in great profusion. The variety, Mrs. W. J. Bradshaw, 

 is the best one to grow. It has very large flowers from Ij^ inches to 

 8 inches across with large, wavy petals of a bright crimson color. The 

 Geums bloom freely from May through October. G. monianum 

 {Heldreichii) produces orange flowers through the Summer and grows 

 h2 inches tall. 



Uses. The Geum is a most exceUent flower to use for bouquets. 

 It wilts readily and when the flowers are cut they should be put in warm 

 water. They are also good for borders and rockeries. 



Culture. Geums will grow in fuU sunUght or partial shade in 

 any garden soil and thrive very well among rocks. 



Propagation. They are produced from seeds and cuttings. 



Grasses, Ornamental 



This unique group of plants is not nearly so weU known nor are 

 the many excellent sorts as often seen as their merits deserve. Only 

 such grasses are here discussed as are hardy, easily grown and will 

 produce striking efl'ects when properly used. Bamboos and Grasses 

 are splendid for tropical effects and particularly to be admired for large 

 beds, for the edging of ponds and streams or for combination in the 

 perennial border. Plant afl sorts in a rich, moist loam in a place pro- 

 tected from strong winds. 



Propagation. The varieties of grasses with variegated leaves 

 are usually propagated by division rather than seed because, in most 

 cases, the variegations are not propagated true. Propagation by divi- 

 sion is easily done in early Spring. Alerely cut the clumps into pieces 

 3 inches or 4 inches across. Such divisions when planted a foot apart 

 will, at the end of the season, increase the apparent size of the clump. 



Many of the grasses, however, are propagated from seed sown in 

 the early Spring. Ornamental grass in its young stages of growth 



