Delphinium Belladonna and pink, great-flowered Clematis grown 

 in advance of the hedge on slender but strong white lattice rails. 

 The parterre beds were filled with pink roses of the finer varieties. 

 I am sure you will not find it difficult to picture the rare charm 

 of such a garden. They can be planted in the Spring or Fall, but 

 I think September the best time, and preferable to early Spring 

 planting, because it insures not only a good start, but a far better 

 display of blooms the next Summer. They are always beautiful, 

 even when grown in poor soil, for they have a happy disposition 

 and even thrive in a way on poor nourishment. 



But to have them give us their best, they should be given a 

 very rich, well drained soil, and if kept well watered and well 

 fed you will marvel at the beauty of their blooms, many of them 

 luminous. 



Before planting make certain that you know the average 

 heighth of the various varieties to avoid what I have so frequently 

 seen done, the planting and hiding of the dwarf members of the 

 family among the taller ones. Young plants should be planted 

 about eight inches apart, and large clumps about two feet apart. 

 Do not fail to provide re-assuring staking for the proper sup- 

 porting of your Delphiniums. This should be done before they 

 attain their full height. By all means avoid "bunching," and 

 this is best avoided by providing three slim stakes pointing out- 

 ward from the base of the plant. 



When the plants are two or three years old, they produce 

 their most magnificent blooms. Frequently one plant will mod- 

 estly show us thirty or forty noble sheafs of flowers. 



After Delphiniums have generously bloomed for four or five 

 years, they seem to become anemic, losing much of their strength. 

 In late September or October they should be taken up. Throw 

 away the center of the clump, and divide and replant the remain- 

 ing outer portion. This in addition to giving new strength to 

 the plant greatly increases our collection of Delphiniums. 



76 



