168 FLOWER GARDENING 
form conditions and care. That would be absurd. 
A great many of the most dependable flowers, it is 
true, will thrive in common circumstances; but the 
sweet pea and lily-of-the-valley, though both are 
perfectly dependable, differ decidedly in their re- 
quirements. 
The following lists are made up of some of the 
most dependable flowers, including a few plants 
that are grown for the foliage and fruit rather than 
the blossoms. Only hardy plants that it is believed 
are reliably so a little above the latitude of Boston 
are mentioned. 
The arrangement, for greater convenience, is 
according to use as well us season—which necessi- 
tates occasional repetitions. 
Among shrubs are listed some slow-growing trees 
used in the same way. Perennials imply herba- 
ceous perennials exclusive of bulbs, and the bien- 
nials and annuals include any other plants grown as 
such. 
All hybrids, strains and varieties mentioned be- 
low the species are supplementary to the latter. 
Usually these signify an improvement of the spe- 
cies, but occasionally merely a color variation is 
noted. The named varieties indicated are some- 
times only a few out of many equally as good. In 
most instances novelties that are still expensive 
have been rejected in favor of old varieties of 
tested merit. 
DECIDUOUS SHRUBS—For profuse spring 
bloom before the foliage comes, or virtually so. 
