Hardy Perennials 



CROMWELL GARDENS, CROMWELL, CONN. 



when replaced, should be well firmed, forming a slight depression, or saucer, around cai h plant to retain 

 sufficient water, which should be applied generously but not too forcibly. In a d.u or two, the surface 

 should be sufficiently dry to permit raking level, when each plant should get a final firming. 



WHEN TO PLANT 



Spring is the season usually selected for planting operations, and is undoubtedly the safest time to 

 plant. The one objection to spring planting is that if it is not completed in the first early days, the plants, 

 having started, are apt to either die or appear sickly and unattractive throughout the season. As it is not 

 always convenient to plant early in the season, we overcome any risk attached to later planting by potting 

 practically all of our perennials (which have grown in the field during the summer) in early fall, wintering 

 them over in coldframes. W e can supply well-established plants, each with a ball of soil, as late in the 

 season as it is practicable to plant. 



WHAT TO PLANT 



The selection of varieties to plant will depend largely on their location. If a single group or bed is de- 

 sired, it will be better to make the planting individual in character and plant only one kind — Sweet W illiam, 

 Canterbury Bells, Hollyhock, Delphinium, or whatever seems appropriate. If an old-fashioned mixed border 

 planting is desired, the most satisfactory arrangement would be to group several plants of a kind together, 

 making the groups in proportion to the border. Select varieties that will flower at various seasons, render- 

 ing the border attractive and interesting throughout the season. 



The combination of two or more kinds in a group is, in some instances, desirable. Late-flowering 

 Lilies may be planted among Oriental Poppies, the foliage of which disappears during midsummer, while 

 the early-flowering Madonna Lilies can be interspersed among the late-appearing Japanese Anemones 

 with splendid results. The successful combination of varieties not only greatly enhances the never-ending 

 beauties of the hardy border, but adds a creative interest and joy to the enthusiastic planter. 



CARE OF THE BORDER 



During the spring months, the border should be cultivated frequently to dispose of the weeds and 

 provide the best possible growing conditions. As the hot summer months come on, the border should be 

 mulched with an inch or two of stable litter, and the plants watered frequently. The old flower-stems 

 should be cut down from time to time, not only as a matter of appearance, but to induce an additional 

 crop of flowers on those that are disposed to flower again — the Delphinium, for instance. The taller-growing 

 kinds which flower in late summer and fall should be neatly staked by the time the flower-heads appear, 

 or they will become straggly on opening and the stems are liable to break off at the ground. 



The best winter protection for the border would be a cover of 2 or 3 inches of stable litter applied in 

 early November, and for the more tender kinds an additional covering of leaves, which should be removed 

 gradually in the early spring. 



List of Hardy Herbaceous Perennials 



ACHILLEA • Mafoil 



Extremely hardy border plants of simple culture, 

 excellent for ma.';sing or mi.xed plantings. The flowers 

 when cut are very useful for decoration or bouquet 

 work and are highly valued by commercial growers 

 and florists for such purposes. The Achilleas are 

 rapid-growing, and should be divided and replanted 

 at least every third season for the best results. They 

 appear to best advantage in groups of from three to 

 eight plants, and their flowering period covers the 

 greater part of the season. 



15 cts. each, $1.50 per doz., $10 per 100, except 

 where noted. 



Ptarmica, Perry's Variety. New. This novelty will 

 undoubtedly supersede all other varieties for cutting 

 and garden decoration. The individual flowers are 

 larger and more double than "Boule de Neige" or 

 "The Pearl;" the petals are broad and overlapping, 

 and arranged so that the center of the flower does 

 not show at any stage. Robust and very profuse in 

 flowering. 25 cts. each, S2. 50 per doz. 



Ptarmica fl.-pl., Boule de Neige. A more compact 

 and desirable form of "The Pearl." June to August. 

 2 feet. 



Ptarmica fl.-pl.. The Pearl. Double, pure white flow- 

 ers, flowering freely throughout the summer. June 

 to Aufust. 2 feet. 



Millefolium roseum. Dense heads of rose-pink flow- 

 ers, produced throughout the season. Attractive, 

 deep green, finely cut foliage. A good wild-garden 

 subject. June to August. 2 feet. 



Achillea Ptarmica, Perry's Variety 



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