NOTEWOR'III^ PERENNIALS 101 



Phalaris — Ribbon Grass, Gardener's Garter 



This grass is a favorite of old gardens where it spreads widely. 

 The leaves of Phalaris arundinacea picla are attractively striped with 

 pure white. It is useful as a border for the taller perennial grasses 

 because it grows 2 feet tall. It thrives especially well in wet soil and 

 may be used on the margins of ponds. In soil too rich it loses its 

 vareisration. 



Uniola — Spike Grass 



The Spike Grass, Uniola latifolia, has arching leaves an inch wide, 

 and broad, flat spikelets produced in loose drooping clusters. It grows 

 3 feet tall. 



Gypsophila — Baby's Breath, Chalk Plant, Gauze 

 Flower, Fairies' Breath 



The Gypsophila is one of the daintiest of the old-fashioned flowers 

 with a misty grace which is not found in other flowers. The flowers 

 themselves are tiny, white or blush-white and the plants are covered 

 with myriads of these blossoms all during the Summer. The plant 

 grows from 2 feet to 3 feet tall; the fohage is grass-hke, the stems are 

 branched minutely and are wiry, and the general appearance is filmy, 

 gauzy, or misty white. Gypsophila paniculata has single flowers, 

 while G. p. flore-pleno has larger, double, rosette-like flowers and is 

 more satisfactory. G. aciitifolia is frequently cultivated, difl'ering 

 from G. paniculata in its greener and narrower leaves. G. cerastoides 

 and G. repens monslrosa are trailing species blooming in June and 

 July; the former has pinkish tinged flowers. 



Uses. The Baby's Breath is an excellent cut flower, especially 

 when combined in bouquets or decorations with other flowers which 

 do not have much foliage. The flowers, especially of the double form, 

 can be cut and dried and used during the Winter months. The plants 

 themselves are useful in the hardy border, or as pot plants. The 

 trailing form is useful for edging and for rock gardens. 



Culture. Gypsophilas endure open, dry places and rather poor 

 soil. The name Gypsophila (Gypsum-loving) seems to indicate its 

 preference for limestone soils. Some gardeners claim tha t cutting the 

 plants back after blooming is detrimental to them. 



