178 
HERBACEOUS GARDEN 
In one year it is beautiful, in two it is at 
the height of its perfection, after three years 
it is old and straggling and must be uprooted 
and replanted . 1 One thing is needful, and that 
is to clip it back after the heads have been 
gathered ; or, if these are left on the plants, in 
early September, when they have faded. This 
keeps the plants trim and neat and is very 
important. If clipped in March there will 
be no flowers that year. 
1 The exception that proves the rule being a fine hedge 
twenty years old at Beacon Place, Lichfield. 
