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BEST PERENNIALS 



FOR CUT FLOWERS 



Though each year has seen a greater number of herbaceov^s perenwials 

 grown by florists for cut flowers, their use is by no means as extensive as it 

 should be. The best kinds for this purpose were pointed out by Prof. Dorner 

 at the Illinois florists' meeting this week. 



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One 



MONG the plants produc- 

 ing flowers suitable for 

 cutting, the herbaceous 

 perennials have not re- 

 ceived the attention they 

 deserve. They should be 

 more commonly grown, as 

 they add variety at a time 

 when good flowers are 

 invariably scarce, 

 should not advocate growing 



By H. B. DORNER. 



them on the basis on which they are 

 often advertised. An advertisement re- 

 cently received states "that these 

 plants cost you nothing after they are 

 once planted and that they give you an 

 abundance of cut flowers every year." 



Caimot Be Neglected. 



This statement is not true; the gar- 

 den of herbaceous perennials is one of 

 the most expensive to maintain. What 

 may be said about the perennial garden 

 may also be said about these same 

 plants when grown for cut flowers. The 

 peony is perhaps the perennial which 

 requires the least attention after plant- 

 ing, but even it cannot be neglected if 

 it is to be a paying crop. If one goes 

 into the growing of herbaceous peren- 

 nials he should do so with the intention 

 of giving them the same attention he 

 would his roses or carnations. 



For convenience, herbaceous peren- 

 nials may be placed in 

 two groups; (a) those 

 which do not want to 

 be disturbed for a 

 number of years, and 

 (b), those which must 

 be divided and re- 

 planted every two to 

 four years. The former 

 group includes those 

 forms having large, 

 fleshy roots, such aa 

 the peony and poppy. 

 The latter group in- 

 cludes those which 

 form large, heavy 

 crowns or which mul- 

 tiply rapidly, forming 

 dense masses or mats. 

 The achilleas and sun- 

 flowers represent this 

 group. 



The spcond group of 

 plants is, without 

 doubt, the most costly 

 to maintain, because 

 they must be lifted, 

 divided and replanted 

 every two to four 

 years. If this is not 

 done, the crop will de- 

 teriorate. It is also a 



known fact that in this group the best 

 crop of flowers is produced the second 

 year. Before the second year the plants 

 have not sufficiently recovered, and 

 after it they begin to deteriorate. 



Even though the first planting was 

 all that was necessary, the upkeep must 

 be considered. Under upkeep will come 

 fertilizing, cultivating, weeding and 

 mulching. Herbaceous perennials that 

 remain in one place for any length of 

 time deplete the soil; so fertilizer must 

 be added. Cultivating is just as neces- 

 sary as for an annual crop. Weeding is 

 more difficult, because the perennial 

 weeds get mixed up with the clumps 

 and are hard to remove. In parts of 

 the country where there is much thaw- 

 ing and freezing the plants must be 

 mulched for protection. 



Proper Planting. 



Success in the growing of perennials 

 demands a soil as well prepared as for 

 the growing of a good crop of vege- 

 tables. The soil should be prepared 

 deeply and manure and other fertilizer 

 added as required, for the plants are 

 not to be moved for two or three years. 



The plantation should also be so situ- 

 ated that it may be watered when 

 necessary. Water is just as important 



Heliantbus Multiflorus. 



for a crop of herbaceous perennials as 

 for annuals. . „ 



Planting is best done in rows sua- 

 ciently far apart for full development 

 of the plant and for ease in cultivating. 

 The distance between the plants in the 

 rows will be from one to three feet, de- 

 pending upon the variety.. Keeping the 

 soil cultivated will keep the weeds in 

 check and will conserve the moisture. 



The majority of herbaceous peren- 

 nials are easily propagated by division. 

 The plants are lifted, split into the de- 

 sired number of parts, all grass and 

 weeds removed, and then planted. 

 Perennials may be divided either in the 

 fall or spring. If done in the fall, it 

 should be early enough so that the 

 plants may become established before 

 cold weather sets in. Spring planting 

 should be done before much growth has 

 taken place. 



Some varieties are grown trom top 

 or root cuttings. Oriental poppies, 

 Phlox paniculata, anchusas and gail- 

 lardias are good examples. 

 Qrown from Seed. 



Where the plant is a true species or 

 n variety has been fixed, it may be 

 ;rrown from seed. Some varieties, as 

 the hybrid larkspurs and columbines, 

 are grown from seed even though not 

 fixed, because practically all the seed- 

 lings are better than 

 the true species. 



Seeds may be sown 

 out of doors any time 

 from spring until late 

 summer. The seedlings 

 should have time to 

 become well estab- 

 lished before cold 

 weather. Seeds may 

 ;ilso be sown in flats in 

 March and April and 

 pricked off into flats 

 or pots and planted 

 out later. 



Few of the herba- 

 ceous perennials force 

 readily during the win- 

 ter months. They may, 

 however, be brought 

 into flower in the 

 spring. 



In growing peren- 

 nials for cut flowers, 

 plant only those that 

 will thrive under ordi- 

 nary conditions. Those 

 forms requiring spe- 

 cial care arc usually 

 neglected, due to the 

 ]iress of other work at 

 the time. For guidance. 



