SHRUBS, HEDGES, AND HARDY CLIMBERS. 87 



foliage, and in other cases the heading in of the young wood 

 to encourage development of the blossom-buds. In a few 

 cases winter protection should be provided by tying straw 

 around them or covering them with matting. Any cover- 

 ing of this kind, however, unless very neatly done detracts 

 from the appearance of a veranda or arbor and should be 

 avoided if possible. 



Hardy Herbaceous Plants.* 



No class of plants affords more beauty and pleasure for so 

 little expenditure of labor and money as the hardy her- 

 baceous plants. They are especially adapted to small 

 places, and with a background of low trees or shrubs some 

 very beautiful pictures can be formed. As with shrubs 

 and trees, some kinds require special conditions of soil to be 

 grown successfully, while others succeed on a great variety 

 of soils. Most of them will grow a long time in one place 

 without renewal of soil, but some of them need dividing 

 and transplanting every three or four years to insure the 

 most vigorous growth and the best flowers. 



They may be arranged in groups of the same kind, or in 

 mixed groups, as may be desired, with good effect; but on 

 large places generous groups of one kind with striking 

 characteristics will be the most satisfactory, while on small 

 places the mixed arrangement may, perhaps, give the most 

 pleasure. 



Tender Foliage or Flowering Plants, f 



For many years past it has been the fashion to grow, 

 more or less largely, brilliantly colored foliage or flowering 



* See list of Lardy herbaceous plan s on page 222. 

 f See list of bedding- plants on page 242. 



