176 



(flEWyABlE^ 



HARDY PERENNIAL EIANTS 



I 



DEI.PHINIUMS, or 



HARDY LARKSPURS 



Mrs. Elv, author of "A Woman's Hardy Garden," says: 



"Perennial Larkspur may be planted as soon as the spring 



has opened. The ground should be well drained and carefully 



prepared, but manure must not be allowed to come in contact 



with the roots, or grubs are apt to destroy the plants. A liLtle 



finely ground bone meal dug around each plant early in May 



will be of benefit, and in late autumn coal-ashes should be sified 



over the crowns of the plants to protect them from the whi'e 



grub, which is their only enemy. The stalks being very tender, 



the plants should he staked when they are about three feet high, 



to protect them from heavy wind. Larkspur begins to bloom 



about June 20th, and by cutting off the plants close to the 



ground, as soon as each crop of flowers has faded, a second and 



third crop of flowers will succeed. Each time the plants are 



cut a little bone meal should be dug about them." 



Belladonna. The freest and most continuous blooming of all, 



never being out of flower from the end of June until cut 



down by hard frost. The clear turquoise-blue of its flowers 



is not equalled for delicacy and beauty by any other flower. 



Bellamosum. This is a dark blue form of the popular light 

 blue Belladonna, with which it is identical in habit of growth, 

 freedom of bloom and other good qualities, but with intensely 

 rich, deep blue Howers. 



Chinense. A 

 very pretty 

 dwarf species, 

 with fine feath- 

 ery foliage and 

 intense gentian- 

 blue flowers in 

 open panicles. 

 — Album. A 

 pure white form 

 of the above. 

 Formosum. 

 The old favor- 

 ite dark blue 

 with white centre; 3 to 



Dreek's Gold Mf.dvi. HYBRfo DELPHiNirji 



and one of the best. 



DiGiTAi IS OR Foxglove 

 (Offered on page 177) 



4 feet high. Very vigorous, 



Dreer's Gold Medal Hybrids. Unquestionably the finest strain of mixed 

 hybrids off'ered. The original stock came from England, and consisted of the 

 best-named varieties. The plants are of strong, vigorous habit, with large flowers 

 on spikes two feet and over long, the majority running in the lighter shades of 

 blue. We can supply them in mixture only. -;. 



Price. Any of the above, 25 cts. each; $2.50 per doz.; $15.00 per 100^ Set of 



6 sorts, $1.25. '■ - 



UIANTHUS (Pinks) 



Deltoides {Maiden Pink). A charming creeping variety, with medium-sized 

 pink flowers in June and July; especially suited for the rock garden. 



— Alba. A pretty white-flowered form. 



Latifolius atrococcineus FI. PI. ( JSver-blooming Hj/brid: Sweet William). 

 A beautiful summer bedding variety, producing masses of brilliant fiery crimson 

 double flowers throughout the entire season. 



25 cts. each; 52.50 per doz.; $15.00 per 100. 

 See also Hardy Pinks, page 192, and Sweet William, page 194. 



DICTAMNUS (GasPlant) 



Fraxinella alba. A very showy border; perennial, forming a bush about 2^ feet 

 in height, having fragrant foliage and 'spikes of white flowers during June and 

 July, giving off on warm, sultry evenings a fragrant volatile oil, which ignites when 

 a match is applied to the stem directly under the head of the flowers. Requires 

 a heavy, strong soil, and an open, sunny position. It is not advisable to trans- 

 plant often, as they improve with age, it being one of the most permanent features 

 of the hardy herbaceous border. Instances are known where this plant has out- 

 lived father, son and grandson in Ihe same spot. 35 cts. each; $3.50 per doz.; 

 $18.00 per 100. 



