THE COMPLETE HOME LANDSCAPE 



Add 6 baits io e<5ck sacc- 

 essive circle 



Fig. 89.— Diagram for use in estimating num- 

 ber of bulbs required for planting a circular bed 



TroiTN cenier 9/^ ted nsark tKe general care 



ixumber/circka bed xs bcouUm The protection of herbaceous 



perennials has already been dis- 

 cussed, but if one is to have a 

 successful flower border or gar- 

 den some attention is necessary 

 during the growing season. The 

 soil should be constantly worked 

 so that the surface is kept loose 

 and neat. 



Some kinds of plants spread 

 rapidly and must be kept in 

 check by division, which can be 

 done either in Autumn or early 

 Spring, The heavy, tall flower 

 spikes should be staked— before 

 the plant actually needs sup- 

 port — and the spike supported as it grows. Then there are always 

 some garden pests to fight, and the sooner they are killed the better 

 will the plants thrive. 



Bulbs 

 In the informal flower border, it is advisable to omit all stiff 

 growing sorts such as Hyacinths; but some Spring- and Summer- 

 flowering bulbs should certainly be included in the plan. 



Narcissi and Crocus can be treated as perennials — being left in 

 the ground from year to year. Sometimes this treatment can be suc- 

 cessfully apphed to Tulips, but any choice varieties should be taken 

 up and stored in a cool, dry place. 



While these bulbs are really the basis of the Spring floral season, 

 the Summer flowering kinds are no less useful. As an example, the 

 Gladiolus and the Montbretia can be cited — they bloom at a time when 

 the display of flowers in the border is at a low ebb. Such bulbs can 

 be interspersed throughout the border, clumping them around the 

 particular perennials that will be through blooming by the time these 

 bulbs are coming along. 



treatment of bulbs 

 As intimated above, bulbs can be divided into separate classes for 

 specific treatment. The following table indicates by letter to which 

 class each bulb belongs, and the treatment required: 



