11^ A LITTLE BOOK OF PERENNIALS 



area. The leaves are large and grayish green in eolor. The llowers 

 resemble a single Hollyhoek bloom, only they are nmch larger, some 

 measuring from inches to 10 inches or 12 inches across. The colors 

 range from white with crimson centers to deep crimson, but most of the 

 colors are soft, causing them to blend with other flowering plants. The 

 plants begin blooming in July, but are at their best during August and 

 September. Altogether these large Mallows present quite a tropical 

 aspect to any planting The Swamp Rose Mallow (Hibiscus Mos- 

 cheutos) grows 4 feet or 5 feet high, and has flowers 6 inches across of a 

 clear rose color with a large dark eye in the center. This is a very 

 showy plant. The Crimson-eye Rose Mallow (//. oculiroseus) has 

 large, pure white flowers with a deep crimson eye. The flowers are 

 extremely large and appear velvety. The Mallow Marvels comprise 

 a group of especially large flowering sorts. 



Uses. MaUows are hardy and adapt themselves readily to almost 

 any planting. \A'hen grouped in masses the large plants present an 

 extraordinary picture. They may be planted either among slirubs or 

 used as a substitute for them. The plants are too large for the ordinary 

 garden border because they require much room, but they can be used 

 in large beds of mixed flowers. 



Culture. Mallows prefer a moist soil although they will do 

 equally well in dry soil, sun or partial shade The plants die down to 

 the ground during Winter and are about the last plants to show green 

 shoots in the Spring They grow very rapidly and do not require 

 much care. A hght mulching of the plants is good for Winter. 



Propagation. They are propagated from seed which will pro- 

 duce blooms the first year if the seeds are sown early enough. The 

 roots are easily divided and one can always be sure that the plants will 

 come true to form if this method is used. 



Hollyhock— Althaea 



A constant, old-fashioned garden favorite ! Hollyhocks have been 

 universally admired for hundreds of years They are stately, majes- 

 tic, towering plants that add beauty wherever they are grown. What 

 other plant has so stately a habit or so many clear, lovely colors.:^ In 

 single plants or in masses against wafls or buildings, in groups at the 

 back or rear of the perennial border, interspersed with low shrubbery 

 or in bold masses along drives or walks, they are ahke efl'ective Many 

 fine plants wiU give their fuUest eff'ects the first year, so they are 

 planted to advantage in the newly made garden when the trees and 

 shrubs are low and the general eff'ect is too bare of color and foliage. 



