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THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



may be planted, so as to cover the stones : aubrietias, saxifrages, stonecrops, erysimums, 

 dwarf campanulas, and others of similar growth being very desirable. There must, 

 however, always be a clear space left between the stones and the grass, or the latter 

 will find its way among the stones and become very troublesome. A simple bed on 

 grass, planted with one flower only, should have no edging of this kind. 



Box is frequently used for borders of hardy flowers, but it is not a success in many 

 gardens, and its liability to injury by being overgrown by the plants makes it less suitable 

 for an edging to a mixed border, where an informal arrangement is preferred. Box is, 

 however, the best of all live edgings, other substitutes generally proving unsatisfactory. 

 A very satisfactory edging is that formed by means of stones placed as suggested in the 

 case of small beds. They may, however, be a little larger, and the plants which 

 overgrow them allowed to grow into larger specimens. Such an edging may, of course, 

 be formed with one plant, but it will be found much more pleasing and interesting at all 

 seasons if considerable variety is introduced. 



It is always desirable to have a spare plant or two of some of the choicer flowers 

 in a reserve border, to take the place of any which may die or become enfeebled beyond 

 hope of recovery. The majority of border flowers are readily propagated by division 

 or from seeds, for raising which directions have already been given. Others, such as 

 gaillardias, Oriental poppies, and eryngiums, can be propagated by cuttings of pieces of 

 the roots inserted in pots or boxes, with the upper portion immediately under the surface 

 of the light soil with which the receptacles are filled. Many can also be grown by cut- 

 tings, which often succeed best if taken off with a " heel " of the old wood attached, or 

 by layers, (For illustrations see pp. 150 and 198. Also see u Carnations.") 



FLOWERS FOR THE SEASONS. 



There are so many genera with species and varieties of plants suitable for borders 

 that it is difficult to submit a list of reasonable length, and to be able to say of it with 

 confidence that it contains the " best" hardy flowers. The lists that will follow have 

 been carefully compiled with the view of giving a representative collection of plants 

 which possess beauty or interest either in flower, in foliage, or both, and which are at 

 the same time quite hardy in all but exceptionally severe winters and cold, clamp 

 gardens. 



The reader is particularly requested to observe that it is intended that the lists 



