66 
HARDY PERENNIALS 
It is of considerable importance that when con- 
tinuity of bloom is desired the faded blossoms shall 
be removed before the development of seeds. A 
plant has fulfilled its mission in the scheme of nature 
when it has produced the seeds 
which are the means of repro- 
duction, consequently when seeds 
have been allowed to develop the 
incentive to go on blooming 
wanes. Moreover, there is a 
physical strain upon the plant 
in developing seeds to maturity 
which exhausts the vitality of 
the plant to such a degree that 
it cannot maintain a full display 
of later blossoms, but is bound 
to go to partial, even if not 
complete, rest. Therefore it is 
wise to cut away faded flowers. 
At the same time it is neces- 
sary to exercise caution in re- 
gard to removal of too many 
stems and foliage. A true her- 
baceous perennial dies down to 
the root stock after the flower- 
ing and growing season, and as the stems and 
leaves wither the greater part of the sap that is 
in them returns to the roots to nourish and strengthen 
the ' eyes ' or ' buds ' from which next season's 
growth will proceed. Therefore the cutting away 
a neatly and 
securely staked 
Hollyhock. 
