Homer N. Chase & Co., Geneva, New York 
63 
Hardy Herbaceous Perennials 
In this section we include such plants as may be allowed to remain in the ground from year 
to year; the foliage, of course, is killed by autumn frosts, but the roots remain in the ground, en- 
tirely unharmed, ready to send forth vigorous new growth when the warm days of spring come. 
From both the practical and the artistic standpoint, the hardy perennials have many claims. 
There is such a variety of form, of color, and time of blooming, that even the most critical gardener 
can readily find sorts that will fit into his place. The white flowers of HcUcborus niger, or 
Christmas Rose, will be found under the snow in January; and from that time on through the 
whole year the perennial garden may have an abundance of bloom. 
To enumerate the hardy plants that are worthy of cultivating would be almost a repetition 
of the following pages, so we suggest only a few among the many that are daily proving satis- 
factory in hundreds of gardens. A collection of iris can be easily made, and of the multitude of 
varieties we have chosen the sorts we believe best adapted to cultivation under all conditions. 
These flowers are as daintily tinted as orchids, and by many gardeners are considered the most 
beautiful of the flowering plants. 
The peony, too, must be included in the list of beautiful perennials, and no garden can be 
considered complete that does not contain at least a small collection. The phloxes are always 
valuable for planting in color masses or grouping in front of shrubbery, while the hollyhocks, 
eulalias or the rudbcckia. Golden Glow, make a useful and ornamental screen. 
Almost no care is required in a garden of perennials. A fairly good soil to start with, a little 
fertilizing in the spring or fall, just enough cultivating during the summer to act as a mulch and 
to keep down weeds, and cutting out the old dead tops, is about all that is necessary. A mulch of 
strawy manure or leaves in the late fall is an advantage, but not absolutely necessary. 
The planting requires some judgment, if the most effective borders or beds are desired. Low- 
growing plants should be selected for setting near the front, grading up to the taller sorts — the 
hollyhocks, anemones, or sunflowers — at the back or the center. The colors, too, should be selec- 
ted, so that the effect will be harmonious. Too often this is overlooked, and the garden colors are 
glaring and tiresome. 
The hardy perennials are useful for cut-flowers — with a proper selection, blooms for the 
house many be had every day from April to December, therefore care should be exercised to 
select varieties that will give a succession of bloom As a further assistance in selecting hardy 
perennials, we have indicated the height of each, and the month in which the plants usually bloom. 
