Hardy Perennial Plants or "Old-Fashioned Flowers." 



Office of the Monmouth Nursery. 



Hardy Perennials are the most Intensely interesting of all flowering plants, and unlike "bedding" 

 and other soft wood plants, which have to be renewed each year, the same plants endure from year to 

 year; growing larger and blooming more profusely as the years pass by. 



Aside from lasting endurance, hardy perennials possess the convenient property of succeeding in 

 almost all soils. They may be planted with profit in grounds of the most limited extent — a few square 

 feet can be made to yield a bouquet each day from April until December. The flowers of a large number 

 of kinds remain in good condition for a long time after gathered and their long stems, together with their 

 fragrance, render them very useful for decorating the dining table, the parlor and reception room; or for 

 adding cheerfulness to the room of the invalid. 



As previously stated, hardy perennials quickly adapt themselves to almost any soil or situation. They 

 should not, however, as a rule, be planted where water remains upon the surface longer than a day, 

 during any part of the year, or beneath overhanging trees, which produce a dense shade; although there 

 are many varieties which will grow and bloom admirably, even in these trying situations. In grounds of 

 limited extent, the boundaries of the lot, (one or more sides of it), oflFer the most appropriate locations 

 and afford the most pleasing effects when properly treated. They may also be placed in the corners of 

 the lawn, beside the house or along the walks or fence. Never plant them in formal beds cut in the lawn. 



As the ground to be planted is to remain undisturbed for a number of years, the soil should be 

 thoroughly prepared. It should be spaded to a depth of at least a foot — a foot and a half to two feet is 

 better — given a liberal supply of well rotted manure and the surface carefully pulverized. Ground bone is 

 also an excellent fertilizer for hardy perennial plants. Though sometimes planted as specimens upon 

 the lawn or in the garden, hardy perennials are usually grouped in beds or borders, planted wholly 

 with them or in connection with shrubbery. In a bed avoid straight lines as much as possible. When 

 made at the side of a lawn or any place where the surroundings will permit, form the outer edge of the 

 bed in graceful curves. A large number of hardy perennials succeed perfectly and present a delightful 

 effect when properly planted in rock gardens; and by rock gardens I do not mean those excrescences upon 

 the face of the earth in the form of an aggregation of pieces of stone, broken crockery, plant-torturing 

 constructions and bad taste termed "Rockeries," all too frequently met with, but rocks placed in such a 

 manner as to truly represent nature and with due regard for the well being of the plants. 



In making a selection of varieties and placing them, it should be borne in mind to produce a display 

 of flowers of varied forms and colors at all times throughout their blooming season of several months; 

 such as will be at no time, during that period, tame and uninteresting, but always presenting a pleasing 

 harmony of color. A number of varieties are capable of being colonized to produce a natural effect — 

 appearing as though nature had placed them where they stand. By all means avoid a mixed mass, without 

 regard to color scheme and habit of growth. It goes without saying that the tall growing varieties 



