76 
THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA. 
PLANNING THE HOME GARDEN. 
( Continued from page 58. ) 
bell ; Aster Feltham Blue ; Aconitum Wilson ; Anchusa 
Italica opal ; Clematis recta flore pleno ; and the almost 
ever-blooming Viola cornuta atro-purpurea. 
Added to the strictly herbaceous perennials should 
be some varieties usually treated as biennials, includ- 
ing Canterbury Bells, Daisies, Forget-me-nots, Pan- 
sies, Foxgloves, Rockets, and Hollyhocks, although 
the last named is sometimes perennial. For purely 
edging purposes, the ferns of Viola cornuta, the hardy 
Pinks, Armerias, Campanula carpatica, and dwarf 
Phloxes like subulata and divaricata are splendid. 
Borders of irregular outline backed by shrubs make 
ideal locations for perennials and bulbs, and if in plant- 
ing the different patches are carefully dovetailed, gaps 
will not be conspicuous, and will be easily filled by 
using summer bulbs or annuals or sowing the latter. 
Some scented plants like Heliotrope, Lemon Verbena 
and scented Geraniums should always be included. The 
bulbs which should be planted in October or early 
November may be set in patches or hands along the 
edges. Don't keep all near the front. Let the Darwin 
and cottage Tulips, Narcissi, Spanish and English Iris, 
Montbretias, etc., be dotted in little clumps all over 
the border. 
In using Narcissi, it is well to remember that the big 
Trumpet Daffodils are in many cases less hardy than 
the short trumpet section. Of the large ones, Emperor, 
Empress, and Glory of Leiden are a reliable trio. Prac- 
tically all of the short trumpets in the Leedsii, Bur- 
bidgei incomparabilis, and poeticus sections will im- 
prove from year to year, while the newer poetaz 
varieties are quite hardy. Although I would not con- 
demn the planting of early Tulips, they are far more 
fleeting than the late secteon. The latter are better 
if left undisturbed from year to year under the same 
conditions the early Tulips rapidly deteriorate. Span- 
ish Iris is sometimes classed as tender, but I have 
never seen it injured on well drained land. I have 
had bulbs un mulched exposed to 25 degrees below zero 
without injury, and I have in mind clumps which have 
been flowering for eight years undisturbed. 
The smaller and earlier flowering bulbs such as Cro- 
cus, Snowdrops, Scillas, Chionodras, etc., can be used 
near the front of the border, or if perchance there is 
a location where early mowing is not done, grass is the 
ideal place for them. Bulbs, however, are a big sub- 
ject and can merely be mentioned here. 
A few words on Liliums, the most regal of all hardy 
bulbs — Lilium candidum arrives in early September 
and cannot be planted too soon after arrival. Cover 
the bulbs four inches deep. A few other really reliable 
lilies are Henryi, speciosum in variety. Hansoni, 
tigrinum, and the glorious new Chinese varieties, 
Myriophyllum (regalo), and Sargentiae. These latter 
.are still high-priced, but in a few years will be as cheap 
as speciosums. I have seen acres of Myriophyllums 
flowering on a hillside not six miles from the Boston 
State House, and I consider this the queen of all hardy 
liliums. Bulbs of varieties named should be planted in 
fall as soon as received, and covered nine to twelve 
inches deep ; some sharp sand can be placed below and 
above them. No fresh manure must come in contact 
with them. Use the manure as a mulch during spring 
and summer, instead. Where Gladioli are used, plant 
them six inches deep ; this will keep the stalks erect 
without staking. 
Annuals form the leading feature in many gardens 
and deservedly so. In fact, good gardens may be had 
where nothing else is used. Varieties for cutting 
should, if possible, be given a little plot or square to 
themselves. Sweet Peas are the most useful and 
popular of all annuals. If possible a trench should be 
prepared for them in the fall. Sweet Pea culture 
boiled down may be summarized as follows : Manure 
liberally, spade deeply, sow early, support promptly, 
mulch carefully, water freely and pick persistently. 
Also sow thinly or thin severely. Cover the seeds 
2 1-2 inches at sowing time; leave the tops of the 
trench somewhat hollowed ; never hill up the seedlings 
as often advised in seed catalogues. This pernicious 
advice invariably breeds stem rot and has done more 
to discourage Sweet Pea culture than anything else. 
Remember that Sweet Peas, if given the necessary 
space to develop are bushy habited, and are better left 
four inches apart in the rows, rather than four plants 
to the square inch as we too often see. 
Asters follow Sweet Peas in popularity, and by mak- 
ing three sowings, two in the frame and one outdoors, 
a long season of them may be had. Some other an- 
nuals splendid for cutting are : Stocks, Salpiglossis, 
Lupins, Larkspurs, Candytuft, Scabiosa, Penstemons 
Hunnomannia (Mexican Poppy), Mignonette, Nastur- 
tiums (on moderately poor soil), Snapdragons, Cen- 
taureas, Cosmos and Shirley Poppies. 
Geraniums, Cannas, Fuchsias, Ageratums, Begonias 
and other plants have a place in the garden, but I have 
already named more varieties than the average home 
garden can contain. It is not wise to plant too many 
varieties and to crowd the plants. Whatever you do 
try to do well. Plant as informally as possible ; this 
style of planting is far the most pleasing and satisfy- 
ing. Ascertain the heights and habits of plants before 
setting them out ; this will obviate added work later. 
Try to blend color harmoniously. Keep the strong 
colors at the sides or extreme ends of the garden. 
In filling entire beds with annuals, perennials or roses, 
remember that one solid color is in better taste than 
a conglomerate mixture. 
When watering, do it thoroughly or not at all ; con- 
stant dribblings are more harmful than helpful. As 
winter sets in, mulch beds and borders of bulbs and 
perennials with leaves, strong manure or some other 
suitable material. Scatter a little old manure over this 
to hold it in position, and don't be in too great a hurry 
to remove this when the first warm days come in late 
winter. 
Encourage the birds by not only planting berried 
shrubs for them, but provide a bird bath, nesting 
house and feed in winter. Birds are man's best 
friends ; without them, horticulture and agriculture 
would be impossible. The more we can encourage 
them to visit our gardens, the fewer pests will afflict 
( mr plants. 
Make careful note of desirable plants at exhibitions 
or when visiting flower gardens and nurseries. Get 
into the habit of buying and planting more shrubs and 
perennials in fall rather than spring; they do vastly 
better in nearly all cases and this relieves the spring 
strain. Don't be discouraged because you fail one 
season with a plant you admire; try again under dif- 
ferent conditions the following season. Anyone who 
loves the garden can see beauty in it at all seasons. 
Nature's boundless workshop is never idle, and even 
when the eye sees snow and ice in supremacy, we 
know that very soon signs of activity will appear 
where the melting snows allow the warming rays of 
the sun to kiss mother earth. 
