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HARD y HERB A CEO US PERENNIALS. 



A. Jocnnda is an intermediate form between A. Alpiua 

 and A. glaiuiulosa, both of which it resembles. The 

 fiowers are bright blue, tipped with white. It is per- 

 fectly hardy. 



A. vulgaris is a native of Europe, and the most com- 

 mon in cottage gardens. It is variable in its character 

 under cultivation, and many beautiful and some extreme- 

 ly curious varieties have sprung from it, particularly the 

 double forms ; of these there are white, pink, lilac, blue, 

 purple, dark crimson, red, yellow and variegated colors, 

 which are exceedingly valuable in the natural arrange- 

 ment of flowers. 



Achillea. Of the genus, all that is desirable and all 

 that is indispensable in a collection of hardy plants, is 

 the species, A. F/or nica , variety Jiore plena, which is one 

 of the best hardy white flowers known. It grows about 

 two feet high, branching, and if kept cut, will produce 

 from June until October, trusses of white flowers that 

 are useful in any floral arrangement. This plant is per- 

 fectly hardy, increases rapidly, and will grow anywhere. 



AcoNiTUM (Monk's-hood) makes a stately clump, par- 

 ticularly adapted for shrubbery borders or any situation 

 where a tall-growing, dark flowering plant is wanted. 

 A. Napellus, which, in a favorable spot grows five feet 

 high, is one of the best species. It is perfectly hardy, 

 and is freely propagated by division of its tuberous roots. 



Anemone. Of this numerous family there are almost 

 innumerable species and varieties. A. Japonica, a tall 

 autumn-blooming species, is the best. The flowers are 

 large, rose-colored, and the plants are strong growing 

 and branching. A variety of this, named Honorine Jo- 

 bert, has pure white flowers ; beautiful and effective. 

 Both of these should be grown in quantity for cut-flow- 

 ers in autumn, and there are but few more beautiful 

 subjects. 



Anthericum. Of this species of liliaceous plants, A. 

 ■liliaslviiin (St. Bruno's Lily), is a grand plant for sum- 

 mer flowers, which are pure white, two inches across, and 

 produced in long spikes like the early gladiolus, only the 

 flowers are more scattered. This plant increases rapidly, 

 and takes kindly to division. It should have a moist sit- 

 uation, and requires a mulching of leaves both in summer 

 and winter to protect it from cold and heat. 



Clematis. This genus affords many of the most de- 

 sirable plants in cultivation for trellis or pillar decora- 

 tion, and none are more valuable than some of our na- 

 tive species. Of these, C. flam inula (the Sweet-scented 

 Virgin's Bower) is to be greatly admired for its grace of 

 habit, delicious fragrance and poetical associations. C. 

 reila (Upright Virgin's Bower) is a grand border plant, 

 growing from two to four feet high, with dense panicles 

 of small white flowers in early summer. 



Coreopsis lanceolata is a generous flowering plant, 

 and has no superior in the garden. The flowers are rich 

 yellow and produced in abundance. It can be treated as 

 an annual if desired, but it flowers as early from seed 

 and continuously in either case until killed by frost. 



Delphinium (Larkspur). The perennial, or Bee lark- 

 spurs, have no rivals in the hardy border. They grow 



anywhere, but prefer a deep, rich and moist soil. If cut 

 back immediately after flowering, they will flower again 

 in autumn. Seeds sown in a hot-bed in early spring 

 make charming flowering plants in autumn. Among 

 this class the florists have made great improvements by 

 cross-fertilization. Now we have every shade of color 

 that white, dark blue and purple will produce. While 

 we prefer the dark blue with a white center, all the va- 

 rieties are desirable. 



Dielytra (Bleeding Heart) is an old garden plant that 

 everybody knows, and a grand plant it is, particularly in 

 heavy soils, for there the flowers have more color and 

 the racemes are longer. It is rapidly increased by divis- 

 ion in autumn. D. exiiiiiitm, a native species, is ever- 

 blooming, and the foliage is nearly as handsome as that 

 of the Maiden's Hair fern, which makes it one of the' 

 most desirable border plants. 



Digitalis (Fox-glove). Some of the many varieties 

 are very desirable, and worth growing. 



EuLALiA, an ornamental grass from Japan, is valuable 

 for clumps or masses on the lawn, and the plumes are 

 first in the list of ornamental grasses for bouquets in win- 

 ter. E. Japoiiica variegata has firm but graceful leaves, 

 alternately striped with green and creamy-white. E. Ze- 

 brhta, or Zebra Grass, in in all respects similar to the 

 former, excepting that the alternate stripes run cross- 

 wise, and varying in width, give the plant a very singu- 

 lar appearance. When grown in deep, rich soil and well 

 established, the plants will attain a height of from four 

 to six feet. 



Helianthus multiflorus. The double -flowering 

 form of this is decidedly the best of the sunflowers, and 

 is a plant well worthy of a place in the border. The 

 claim that it is hardy is not well founded. The roots 

 should be wintered in a cold-frame or greenhouse, and 

 divided in the spring when planted out. It is advisable 

 to cut a portion of the plants well back about the first of 

 July, as this will extend their pei-iod of bloom. 



Funkia subcordata is a grand border plant, popularly 

 known as Day Lily. It must be well established to flower 

 well ; then it produces its pure white, fragrant flowers in 

 profusion. After planting it can remain undisturbed for 

 years. 



Hemerocallis flava, the best of several species, is a 

 fine hardy plant with clear yellow, very fragrant flowers, 

 produced on long, slender scapes in June. These hand- 

 some lily-like flowers are very useful for cutting. 



Hibiscus. These showy plants are only suitable for 

 large borders or for massing. II. Moscheulos, a native 

 species, common in marshes along the sea-coast, is a no- 

 ble plant. The flowers are six inches, across and of a 

 bright rosy-pink. Although a native of marshy districts, 

 it improves by cultivation on dry soils, H. Californica 

 is a strong growing species, producing large, pure white 

 flowers. All the varieties are propagated readily from 

 seeds, and the plants can remain undisturbed for many 

 years without injury. 



LiLiuMS of every denomination have their home in the 

 border, some doing well, others fairly well, a few not 



