112 



THB GREENING PICTORIAL SYSTEM OF LANDSCAPE GARDENING 



A FIELD OF PiEONIES IN BLOOM AT THE "GREENING 



NURSERY 



This view shows a large field of Paeonies representing the 

 choice of many hundred varieties collected in my journey abroad 

 .and from the best sources in this country. The picture was taken 

 in bloom time and shows a sea of great floral beauty. Not the 

 least attractive feature is the young lady — a daughter of the 

 writer — accompanied by a little tot all in smiles. 



The Pasonia is one of the most popular flowers by reason of 

 its hardiness, beauty and ease of cultivation. It will grow any- 

 where with little care, or no care, and its glossy green foliage 

 and compactness of growth make it very desirable for bedding or 

 border work. It comes in a great variety of colors and large 

 masses planted chromatically present a gorgeous scene beyond 

 the power of words to express. No plant has received more at- 

 tention at the hands of hybridists and it is destined to become the 

 most popular perennial flower. 



Plate 155. A Field of Paeonies in Bloom at the Greening' Nursery 



HYDRANGEA ARBORESCENS (HILLS OF SNOW) 



This is a new Hydrangea that begins blooming in July, a 

 month earlier than the well-known Paniculata Grandiflora. The 

 bloom is a pure white and the plant is perfectly hardy. Very 

 suitable for mass planting. 



I have had rather indifferent success with this variety so far, 

 and yet I am loath to give it up. The duration of its bloom and 

 its purity of color make it a valuable addition to our gardens. 

 Its weakness has been that of making a rather spindling growth. 

 My observations would indicate that it demands a well-enriched, 

 sandy soil and plenty of water. It requires very close pruning 

 in the spring. The name of this shrub illustrates the ease with 

 which words become corrupted among illiterate people. Our 

 colored brethren in the South and the class of whites known by 

 them as " po' white trash," call it High Geranium, the lapse from 

 Hydrangea being an easy transition for those who are not 

 punctilious in such matters, especially when their garden expe- 

 rience is largely confined to the geranium, which they regard 

 as the ne plus ultra of all growing things. 



I'Inli' H.vilraiiKea Arboreseeiis (llill.s of Snotv> 



