176 
PARK AND CEMETERY. 
NEW AND DESIRABLE HERBACEOUS PLANTS 
During the past fifteen years many new 
species and varieties have been introduced^ 
and it is no doubt a truism to say that we 
can dispense altogether with some of the 
older forms which were popular fifty years 
ago in favor of the much improved and 
beautiful new kinds. But it must not be 
supposed that all the old friends can 
be discarded. There are some which will 
undoubtedly continue to be grown so long 
as gardens exist, and this applies more 
to species than varieties, ' for it is among 
the latter that one looks for the majority 
of new plants. Although a large number 
of the newer introductions originated in 
American and European gardens, the most 
noteworthy are to be found among the new 
plants discovered by Mr. E. H. Wilson. 
Horticulture is composed of many dif- 
ferent branches, each having its own spe- 
cial claim upon the individual, and while 
all are of absorbing interest I do not think 
there is one that has greater claims upon 
us than the cultivation of herbaceous 
plants. In this country it is probable that 
they have not yet attained the same degree 
of popularity as in Europe, but with the 
ever-increasing love for outside gardening, 
which is so noticeable here, I feel sure 
that the day is not far distant w'hen their 
merits will be fully appreciated. In no 
country in the world can they be grown 
more successfully, and one has only to 
notice the luxuriance of the native flora, 
such as Solidagos, Asters, Cypripediums 
and Lobelias to see this. I would like to 
say a word here about cultivation as one 
frequently meets people who are under the 
impression that herbaceous plants when 
once planted can be left to take care of 
themselves for an indefinite period, but 
this is quite erroneous ; and though they 
may not be so exacting in their require- 
ments as the denizens of glass houses, yet 
to maintain them in good health and pro- 
duce the best results the necessary amount 
of attention must be given. In making 
a herbaceous border, which is to be per- 
manent, it should first of all be seen that 
the drainage is good, as very few except 
semi-aquatics will succeed under water- 
logged condition, and the border should 
be not less than six feet in width, but 
much finer effects can be produced if from 
eight to ten feet can be allow'ed. A good 
background is always desirable, and two 
excellent subjects for the purpose are 
climbing roses or a row of sweet peas, 
but, of course, what to use must be de- 
cided by the situation of the border. 
Drench the soil in the fall to a depth of 
two and a half to three feet and incor- 
porate plenty of decayed manure or other 
enriching material and leave the surface in 
a rough condition till spring so that the 
climatic effects may sweeten the soil and 
An Address by Arthur E. Thatcher. 
render it in good condition for working. 
The latter part of March or the first two 
w^eeks in April is the best time to plant 
if the frost is out of the ground sufficiently, 
and it is advisable, if one is not well ac- 
quainted with the subjects, to make a plan 
of the border beforehand, showing where 
each variety is to be planted. Harmony of 
color is of great importance and can only 
be obtained by making a plan or having a 
good knowledge of the plants, and of equal 
importance is the arrangement. Tall grow- 
ing plants must, of course, find positions at 
the back of the border ; but the mistake is 
not infrequently made of carefully gradu- 
ating the heights so that the tallest are at 
the back and the lowest at the front, just 
as one would arrange Geraniums on a 
greenhouse bench. In this way plants lose 
their individuality, for much of the charm 
of the border depends on seeing each sepa- 
rately. The most effective arrangement is 
obtained by planting some varieties in 
groups and others as single specimens, and 
by having plants of medium height near 
the front of the border much greater depth 
results and the general effect is altogether 
more pleasing. 
Early flowering varieties should not be 
too near the edge of the border, unless 
they retain good foliage till the fall, and 
others which flower at a later season 
should be in front of them so that no bare 
places are apparent. By a judicious selec- 
tion a succession of blossom may be had 
from spring till late in the fall, but to ob- 
ASTILBE DAVIDII. 
tain such a desirable condition it is neces- 
sary to be conversant with the very large 
number at our disposal and then they can 
be ordered from the catalogues, but fail- 
ing this I would suggest going to a good 
nursery where herbaceous plants are made 
a specialty of and picking out what appear 
to be the most suitable. It is well to re- 
member that the best plants are always the 
cheapest in the end. 
In making this selection of new and de- 
sirable varieties I have endeavored to in- 
clude those only which may be relied on 
to prove satisfactory, and except in one or 
two instances they are perfectly hardy. I 
have also separated them into two sections, 
the first being suitable for what one might 
call the herbaceous border proper and the 
other for waterside planting or where the 
soil is continually moist. 
Blue flowered plants, apart from Del- 
phiniums, are not numerous, but two very 
beautiful additions have recently been 
made. Both are varieties of the old An- 
chusa italica, one being named superba, or 
Dropmore variety, with dark blue blos- 
soms, and the other called opal, has flow- 
ers sky blue in color. These are two re- 
markably fine plants, unsurpassed by any- 
thing with which I am acquainted. As 
they seldom seed and sometimes show a 
tendency to die in winter, it is advisable 
to propagate a few plants during the fall, 
so that one may be sure of retaining them. 
Aconitums are on a par with Delphiniums 
for stateliness, and the best should always 
be included, as they continue to give a 
succession of bloom over a long period. 
The most effective is the new A. Wilsonii, 
which grows 6 feet high, with pale blue 
flowers. Spark variety, dark blue, is also 
good, and A rostratum, which grows four 
feet tall, is a pleasing shade of pale blue, 
deeper on the hood. A-hemsleyanum, a 
new climbing variety, is also interesting 
and desirable. Achillea Cerise Queen is the 
most recent and desirable addition to this 
family, and is devoid of the weediness 
which usually characterizes these plants. 
The flowers, cerise pink in color, are pro- 
duced abundantly all through the summer 
and fall. 
It is much to be regretted that Anemone 
Japonica and its many excellent varieties 
are not sufficiently hardy to withstand the 
severity of our New England winters in 
all localities, but if favored positions are 
selected for them there is no reason why 
they should not succeed. Two or three 
years growth are necessary to get them 
well established, and as they make long 
roots which penetrate deeply, the soil 
should be well prepared, which enables 
them to obtain the maximum amount of 
moisture and food. Under such conditions 
the typical variety will grow six feet high. 
