The Making and Care of an 01d=Fashioned Hardy Border Continued. 



better if left undivided and undisturbed for several years, the only 

 care necessary for these being a liberal covering with fresh soil or 

 compost early in spring. The late summer and autumn blooming 

 species are usually of a more vigorous growth. Such sorts as Heli- 

 anthus, Rudbeckias, Asters, Boltonias, Physotegias, etc. , on which 

 the original crowns die out each season and many new growths 

 are made, are far better if replanted each season, selecting from 

 three to five of the strongest growths, which, after the ground 

 has been redug and enriched, may be reset in the same position 

 or replanted to another section of the garden. Treated in this 

 manner, they will not only produce flowers of larger size and finer 

 colors, but will keep the stronger and more rampant growing 

 varieties from crowding out their equally interesting but less 

 vigorous neighbors. 



Many not thoroughly familiar with this class of plants have 

 an idea that nothing but a large field-grown clump will give satis- 

 factory returns the first season. 

 This, as experience has taught 

 us, is in most instances a mis- 

 take. A vigorous plant of proper 

 size will, in nearly every case, 

 give quicker and better returns 

 than the best so-called "field 

 clumps." The majority of the 

 stock offered in this catalogue 

 is pot-grown. This does not 

 mean that the plants have been 

 altogether pot-grown, but that 

 they have been field-grown and 

 dug and potted up during the 

 fall months, and such stock can 

 be planted, even late in the 

 spring, with practically no loss, 

 which, in the case of clumps, is 

 often quite serious. The fol- 

 lowing letter from the well- 

 known and successful amateur, 

 W. C, Egan, endorses our views 

 on this matter. 



Egandale, III. 

 Gentlemen — Your shipment 

 of perennials arrived safely to- 

 day in most excellent order. It 

 certainly is a pleasure, as well as a 

 profit, to receive plants from you. 

 Your system of growing these in 

 pots allows shipment without dis- 

 turbing the roots, thus insuring 

 uninterrupted growth and no loss 

 in planting. 



Respectfully yours, 



W. C. Egan. 



The list of Hardy Perennial plants which we offer in our garden book is admitted to be the most complete and up-to-date collec" 

 tion in the country, and we are continually adding all the new, rare and desirable sorts, both of home and foreign introduction, to 

 our list. 



While we are not in the landscape business and cannot undertake the preparation of plans for planting 

 or laying out Of grounds, we offer for customers who are not acquainted with the different sorts the following "Introduction 

 Collections," all in good, strong roots, which when once planted will, with little care, keep the garden gay with flowers from the 

 time frost leaves the ground until late in autumn. 



Dreer's " Introduction " Collection of Hardy Perennial Plants. 



Winter Care. — About the middle of November or later, 

 when all the soft growth has been killed by the frost and the plants 

 are thoroughly ripened, the old hard-wooded stems should be re- 

 moved and burned up. It will then be found beneficial to cover the 

 plants with a top dressing of loose stable litter, or, if this is not 

 to be had, a covering of leaves — Nature's protection. This 

 covering is best applied when the ground is in a dry condition 

 and should not be overdone ; two or three inches spread over 

 loosely being all that is required. A deeper covering would 

 incite the plants into premature growth in the early spring with 

 a liability of damage by late frosts ; don' t be in a hurry to cover 

 the plants, a little frost will do them good. As the extreme cold 

 weather begins to disappear this covering should be removed by 

 degrees, allowing any young growths which the plants may have 

 ^made to gradually harden off. This process usually occupies 

 only a few days, after which the plants may be fully exposed to 

 the sunshine, and the litter or 

 covering which has protected 

 them during the winter may be 

 raked up and removed. 



Replanting. — It is all non- 

 sense to suppose that Hardy 

 Perennials once planted require 

 no attention for several years. 

 The truth is, if we wish them 

 to give entire satisfaction we 

 must each spring see that each 

 variety is treated in the best 

 manner to insure its fullest de- 

 delopment during the next 

 flowering season. Many ideas 

 are advanced on the question of 

 how often they ought to be 

 divided and transplanted, but 

 no positive rule can be applied. 

 Some sorts will take two or 

 three years or even longer to get 

 established and develop their 

 fullest beauty after being trans- 

 planted, and usually the longer 

 they are allowed to grow with- 

 out disturbance the better re- 

 sults will be accomplished, while 

 others should be transplanted 

 or reset each season. 



Most hardy plants which 

 flower during the spring or early 

 summer months, such as An- 

 thericum, Peonies, Doronicum, 

 Dielytras, etc., produce their 

 new growth from the crown of 

 close, compact roots, and are 



An Effective Hardy Border. 



12 distinct species, our selection $1 50 



25 " " " " 2 75 



."0 distinct species and varieties, our selection $5 00 



100 " " " " " " 9 00 



Hardy Perennials Suitable for Growing in Shady Positions. 



We are frequently asked to recommend a list of Perennials that will grow in the shade, and while the sorts noted below are suited 

 r this purpose, many of them will do equally well in a sunny position. Descriptions, prices and cultural notes will be found under 



for this purpose, 



their respective heads 



Aconitum (Monkshood). 



Actaea spicata (Baneberry). 



Ajuga [Bugle). 



Amsonia. 



Anemone Pennsylvania ( Windflower) 



" Pulsatilla (Pasqueflower). 



" Sylvestris ( Windflower). 



Caltha (Marsh Marigold). 

 Carex (Sedge). 

 Chamaelirium. 



Convallaria (Lily of the Valley). 

 Dielytra (Bleeding Heart). 

 Epimedium (Barren-wort). 



Ferns. 



Funkia (Plantain Lily). 



Helleborus (Christmas Rose). 



Hemerocallis (Day Lily). 



Hepatica (Liver Leaf). 



Orobus (Bitter Vetch). 



Pachysandra. 



Podophyllum (May Apple). 



Polygonatum (Solomon" s Seal). 



Primula (Primrose). 



Pulmonaria (Lungwort). 



Ranunculus repens f l.pl. (Buttercup) . 



Rodgersia. 



Saxifraga (Megaseas). 

 Smilacina (False Solomon's Seal). 

 Spigelia ( Carolina or Lndian Pink). 

 Spiraea (Meadow Sweet). 

 Stenanthium(Moun tainFeather Fleece) 

 Thalictrum (Meadow Rue). 

 Tiarella (Foam Flower.) 

 Tradescantia (Spider-wort). 

 Tricyrtis (Japanese Toad Lily). 

 Trillium ( Wood Lily or Wake Robin). 

 Trollius (Globe Flower). 

 Vinca (Periwinkle or Trailing Myrtle). 

 Violet (Hardy Russian). 



(195) 



