~H£HRYA DREER PHILADELPHIA J>A" m?7 HARDY PERENNIAL PJ-Affll 



Our Bed of Ornamental Grasses at Pan-American- ExposiTinu. The Border is Formed of Pennisetum Rueppelianum, Which we Offi k 



Under Garden and Greenhouse Plants. 



Hardy Ornamental Grasses. 



Mr. George W. Oliver, the well-known writer on horticultural subjects and one of the experts of the U. S. Department of 

 Agriculture, has written the following cultural notes on Grasses especially for this book. His cultural notes on Bamboos on the next 

 page should not be overlooked: 



"The ornamental grasses, exclusive of the Bamboos, can be used with telling effect in borders, large beds, or by the margin of 

 ponds and lakes. They are often used with small shrubs and medium-sized trees in wide borders. The Eulalias, planted singly 

 on lawns where the soil is deep and rich, take care of themselves, and grow rapidly into large specimens. In large, round bed-, 

 with ornamental grasses as the principal feature, the effect is heightened by the addition of such plants as Cannas or dwarfer 

 flowering plants near the margin. The tallest of the, grasses is the Giant Reed (Arundo Donax). A small plant will soon establish 

 itself and grow from 12 to 20 feet in height. In large, round beds this is the best of all the species for the central position. A less 

 hardy form has variegated leaves growing 8 to 10 feet in height. It keeps its color well throughout the summer months. The Hardv 

 Pampas (Erianthus Ravennae), comes next in height to the green-leaved Arundo. It is not far behind the gorgeous Pampas 

 (Gynerium) when in bloom. It attains a height of 10 to 1*2 feet under ordinary conditions. All of the grasses, but especiallv the 

 Arundo and Erianthus, do best when given a heavy soil, enriched with manure and an abundant supply of water. Eulalia 

 Japonica Variegata and Zebrina are probably the handsomest of all the variegated grasses, growing t> feet high, and as much in 

 diameter; the variety E.. Gracillima Univittata is a narrow-leaved species, with a light band down the centre of each leaf. Among 

 the small growing kinds, for a dwarf tufted border, Festuca Glauca has no equal. Our native Uniola Latifolia does well under 

 cultivation. Its broad, drooping panicles and wide, bright green leaves make it a charming border plant." 

 Arrhenatherum bulbosum folia variegata. A pretty 

 dwarf tufted Grass; leaves green and white; 6 to S inches. 25 

 cts. each; $2.50 per doz. 

 Arundo Donax {Great Reed). A magnificent variety, 

 growing to a height of 20 feet. 25 cts. each; $2.50 per doz. 

 Variegata. A beautiful variegated form. Foliage creamy- 

 white and green; 8 to 10 feet. 25 cts. each; $2.50 per doz, 



— Macrophylla Glauca {Giant Reed). A remarkably 

 strong growing variety, attaining a. height of 15 feet, with fol- 

 iage 3i to 4 inches wide, much closer jointed than the type; 

 the leaves are of a dark glossy green on the upper surface, 

 and of a glaucous color underneath. 25 cts. each: $2.50 

 per doz. 



— Phragmites Aurea Variegata. A desirable varie- 

 gated-leaved sort, especially suited lor growing in low, wet 

 ground; -1 to 5 feet. 25 cts. each; $2.50 per do/. 



Elymus Qlaucus [nine Lyme Grass). A handsome Grass, 



with narrow glaucous silver) foliage; well adapted for the 



border or the edge of beds containing taller sorts; .'! feet. 15 



cts. each; 81.50 per doz. 

 Erianthus Ravennae- ( Plums Grass, or Hardy Pampas). 



Grows from 10 to 12 feel high, frequentl) throwing up from 



30 io .">o flower -pikes. It closelj resembles the Pampas 



(ii.i--. 25 cts. each. $2.50 per doz.; clumps, 50 cts. each, 

 Eulalia (iracillima Univittata [Japan Rush). Of graceful 



habit, with very narrow foliage; of a bright green color, with 



a silvery midrib. 25 cts. each; $2.50 per doz.; Jumps. .",u cts. 



each. 



Eulalia Japonica Variegata. A very ornamental variety; 

 long, narrow leaves, striped green, white and often pink oi yel- 

 low. Flower stalks from 4 to 6 feet. 25 cts. each; $2.50 per 

 doz.; clumps, 50 cts. each. 



Zebrina {Zebra Grass). The long blades of this varietj 



are marked with broad yellow bands across die leaf. It 

 makes a ver) attractive specimen planl foi the lawn, 25 cts. 

 each; $2.50 per do/.: clump-. 50 cts. each. 



Festuca (ilauca [Blue Fescue). A pretty dwarf tufted 

 Grass, with glaucous foliage. 1 5 >i-. each; $1.50 pel i 

 $10.00 per 100. 



Gynerium Argenteum [Pampas Grass). One of the 



most effective. Its silvery plumes are produced on stems F 



In feet high. Well established plants can remain tn the 0] en 

 ground if protected. 25 cts. and ">i i «. t-. each. 



Imperata Sacchariflora. A strong growing gia--. attaining 

 a height of 4 to 5 feet. Producing silvery while plumes during 

 fuly and August. 25 cts. each; $2.50 per doz. 



Phalaris Arundinacea Variegata [Variegated Ribbon 

 Grass, or Gardener's Garters). Large variegated foliage; 

 an excellent Grass for bordering large bed-. ]n cts, i 

 $1.00 per do/.: $8.00 per L00. 



Poa Trivialis albo-vittata. An elegant dwarf Grass, grow- 

 ing about I) inches high, forming dense tufts of flat leave-, 

 which are broadly margined with pure while. 15 el-, each; 



$1.50 pei doz. : $8.00 per 100. 

 Uniola Latifolia [Spike Grass). One of tin- finest of our na- 

 live ( rrasses, growing from :'> to I feel high, with very ornamen- 

 tal, graceful, drooping panit !e-. l ."> cts. each; $1.50 pei ■ 



COLUMBINES AND CAMPANULAS are two of the good old-fashioned hardy plants. See plates opposite pages 182 and 183. 



