BORDER CARNATIONS 31 



day market plant. In the general estimation of those who possess 

 gardens, it may take second place to the rose, both in popularity 

 and in the number of plants annually grown ; but if so, it is a very 

 close second, and this is not to be wondered at when we consider 

 how much more satisfactory it is to grow, how small the amount 

 of attention it needs, and its comparative freedom from pests. 

 Being in the closest possible touch with the trade, we can say this : 

 that the demand for it, from every quarter of the United Kingdom, 

 shows no sign of diminution, but rather an increased demand 

 from year to year. 



Hybridisers do well in not sacrificing " hardiness " to any other 

 quality, for that stands out as, perhaps, its greatest asset. We do 

 not know of any division of this country (though possibly there 

 may be some localities) where the border carnation will not thrive, 

 or where established plants will not withstand the rigours of winter 

 where other " hardy " plants, other than herbaceous, will succumb. 

 Its lance-shaped, grassy foliage, well protected, is not so susceptible 

 to frost as is the softer and more delicately organised foliage or 

 leafage of so many plants which do not die down every year. 

 Hybridisers are also doing great service by extending and pro- 

 longing its season of blooming, for, years ago, one of the principal 

 reasons against its more extensive use was the brevity of its season, 

 which could only be said to last throughout June. Patient and 

 indefatigable work has prolonged that season until well into 

 September, and that is an immense gain in fact, it alniost reaches 

 the limits of possibility in what is so ostensibly a " border " 

 plant. 



This extension of the time limit adds more than anything else 

 to its real commercial value, and is responsible for the markedly 

 increased demand for plants. It can now be employed in schemes 

 where its erstwhile fugitive character made it " taboo," for the 

 gardener may now depend upon a display of bloom that will not 

 fail him throughout the best summer months. Consequently he 

 can without hesitancy plant more largely of a flower which he 

 knows to be held far higher in esteem than the great majority 

 of summer bedding plants. There yet remains something to be 

 done toward perfecting this continuous blooming characteristic, 

 but we are quite certain that complete success will be attained, 



