CHAPTER XXVI. 

 PERENNIALS AND BULBS. 



359. The Perennial Beds. The bed for perennials may 

 be located in front, as shown in Fig. 83, and on quite 

 large front lawns room can also be given for the bulb-bed 

 for early spring effect, to be followed later in the season 

 by canna or German aster. 



The flower-lover will also have a perennial bed in the 

 background, where tall, coarse growers, such as golden 

 glow, perennial phlox, and even hollyhock, can be planted 

 in the rear, with lower growers in front. Only a few of 

 the most desirable perennials and bulbous-rooted will be 

 noted in this connection. 



360. The Herbaceous Peonia. The select modern varie- 

 ties of the Alii 'flora type stand well at the head of the 

 perennial list in beauty of foliage and flower, hardiness 

 and freedom from insects and fungous diseases. They 

 also thrive on varied soils and in nearly every part of the 

 Union. 



For massing, some of the best Chinese varieties are very 

 showy for a long period. 



The tree peonia has a woody stem with delicately 

 shaded flowers more or less doubled. Its final height is 

 from three to four feet, and it is much used on shrubby 

 borders. It is popular in the East and South, but does 

 not prove hardy west of the lakes. 



366 



