98 



A LITTLE BOOK OF PERENNIALS 



appears to be so small that one has a feeling that it need not be given a 

 great deal of space. Crowded grasses do not thrive, so that they 

 should be transplanted when small and given plenty of space to de- 

 velop. 



Arrhenatherum bulbosum variegatum 



A dwarf, decorative grass of tufted habit growing only 8 inches 

 high. The green and white leaves retain their clear color throughout 

 the season. It is used where a white edging or border is desired. 



Arundo Donax — Giant Reed 



Tliis is the tallest of the ornamental grasses, sometimes growing 

 in rich, deep soil to a height of 20 feet. The long, drooping leaves of 



a bright green color 

 are produced from 

 the base to the top 

 of the stem, some- 

 what resembling a 

 corn plant, though 

 more graceful. Late 

 in Summer the plant 

 produces showy red- 

 dish brown plumes 

 over a foot long, 

 which turn a silvery 

 gray at maturity. The 

 Giant Reed is useful 

 for the centers of 

 large beds, in the 

 backgrounds of bor- 

 ders or as specimens 

 in the lawn. It re- 

 fuses to be at home 

 in stiff, clayey soil, 

 preferring a deep, 

 sandy loam and a 

 sheltered position. 

 Variegated forms are 

 obtainable; they have 

 leaves striped with 



Giant Reed or Arundo, one of the tallest grasses. 



white This latter sort seldom grows over 12 feet tall and is not 

 entirely hardy without protection in the colder climates. 



