October 18,1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
355 
F or some time past the advantages gained by the extended use 
of hardy plants for the embellishment of flower gardens have 
been pointed out in these pages, and at first sight further reference 
to the matter may appear superfluous. Such, however,'i 3 not the 
case, for those persons who take more than ordinary interest in the 
utilisation of these floral gems seldom fail to lose an opportunity 
of debating the question, urging the claims of their favourites with 
enthusiasm. That there is some justification for this apparent 
reiteration will be admitted by all who know and grow perennials 
for their intrinsic beauty. The wheel of fashion revolves, though 
but slowly in this case, and it would not be a diSicult task to 
name many pretentious gardens where hardy plants are decidedly 
in the minority. Why such is so can be scarcely comprehended, 
inasmuch as a number of beds laid out with geometrical precision 
and occupied by tender summer flowering plants only, can bear no 
comparison to a garden judiciously planted with hardy perennials 
so far as interest and effect are concerned. There is obtainable 
from the latter, or rather should be if properly managed, a 
continual supply of bloom of a varied character. From early 
spring, and even before that period is hardly reached, until long 
after frost has blackened the more fragile occupants of the garden, 
some at least of the plants for which the writer now puts forth 
another plea, produce an abundance of blossom. It is here where 
the charm of a hardy plant garden is most conspicuous, and 
although some readers may look on pattern beds as models of 
neatness, there is no disputing the fact that such examples of 
“ garden art,” however well accomplished, are inclined to become 
monotonous. 
To many persons the cultivation of hardy perennials is a source 
of perpetual pleasure, and the keen interest with which the plants 
are attended is worthy of commendation. It is to such enthusiasts 
as these, amongst whom may be mentioned Mr. S. Arnott, that we 
are indebted for the gradual development of this phase of gar¬ 
dening. If in the future they are as persistent in their efforts as in 
the past in bringing to the notice of the public the beauties of many 
hardy plants, the time is not far distant when beds and borders of 
choice perennials will be found in most gardens throughout the 
kingdom. Every admirer of Nature in her most beautiful form 
will gladly welcome this extension, but it must be done with 
discretion. There are gardens where the natural surroundings 
differ materially from those of others, and to fill all with beds or 
borders of hardy plants indiscriminately would result in an 
inevitable failure. A border of even common perennials is 
undoubtedly interesting and attractive when the occupants are 
laden with blossoms, but these in some cases are of a fleeting 
nature, and unless steps are taken to provide a succession of bloom 
by the interposition of other plants the charm is broken. This is 
where many growers fail, and the reason perhaps why some do not 
appreciate hardy plants or advocate their extended cultivation. To 
achieve the best results a choice collection should be grown, 
selecting those that will form an unbroken succession of bloom 
from at least February until November. This is not a very difficult 
matter, provided each species is given a suitable position, which is 
a point of some importance. As before hinted, it is comparatively 
useless to plant a number of perennials irrespective of soil and 
situation with the hopes that the results will be of a satisfactory 
No. 747.—VoL. XXIX., Third Series. 
character. The requirements of each plant must be well under¬ 
stood and afforded, then a bed or border of hardy perennials 
becomes the most interesting spot in the garden. 
Regarding the employment of hardy plants in beds, or the 
flower garden proper, this practice unfortunately makes but slow 
progress in private establishments. Many gardeners are appa¬ 
rently prejudiced against the introduction of new features, and 
cling persistently to the summer bedding system. The fact of the 
latter method being so generally seen forces one to this conclusion ; 
or is it that the owners are of a conservative turn of mind, and 
object to the beds being planted with perennials ? It may be the 
last named cause which prevents the extended use of select hardy 
plants for the decoration of the flower garden, though we venture 
to say that no one who has seen a series of beds thus planted in a 
judicious manner could raise any legitimate objection to them. In 
some of the metropolitan parks ttis season Carnations, Yiolas, 
Pentstemons and other hardy plants have been somewhat exten¬ 
sively grown in beds that a few years ago were annually devoted 
to “ carpet patterns.” It may also be noticed that Sedums and 
Saxifragas of different types, even including the well-known 
London Pride, are used as edgings to various beds, forming a 
pleasing association to the other plants. A large circular bed was 
also recently brought under the writer’s notice as being unusually 
attractive at most periods of the year. The bed in question is 
filled with choice plants chiefly of a dwarf habit of growth, and is 
seldom without flowers. Near the edge are several clumps of 
Christmas Roses, between which are masses of Hepaticas. The 
white flowers of the former are scarcely expanded ere the beautiful 
blossoms of the Hepaticas force themselves into prominence. 
Here and there, too, may be discerned clumps of the Winter 
Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis). Snowdrops, Squills, which are 
followed by Forget-me-not, Saxifragas, and others, prolonging the 
display until clove-scented Carnations and Campanulas produce 
their blossoms in the summer. Other plants flower in the autumn, 
noticeable amidst these being the dwarfer perennial Sunflowers, 
Aster Amellus bessarabicus, and a fine bush of the old China Rose. 
This combination of simple flowers is the property of an amateur, 
who is proud of his achievement, and thinks the bed is worthy of 
imitation. Be this as it may, it is obvious that a greater amount 
of pleasure is derived from that one bed than from a series which 
are unplanted for a greater portion of the year, such as can be seen 
in many large gardens during the winter, and the matter is 
deserving of more than a passing glance. 
As already mentioned, there are some gardens in which hardy 
plants are seen to greater advantage than in others, and Belvoir 
Castle may well be cited as an example. True, summer 
bedding is practised at that place, and this, moreover, is well 
carried out, but from an artistic point of view it cannot be 
compared with the masses of hardy plants which are noticeable 
on every side. A garden of this kind is, of course, at its best in 
the spring, when the numerous plants for which this ducal domain 
is noted are in bloom, although there were ample to interest the 
writer whilst on a brief visit there last month. Mr. W. H. 
Divers is evidently as great an enthusiast in hardy plant culture 
as he has been in the production of splendid fruit, and a 
pleasant hour spent with this well known horticulturist at once 
revealed the fact that he is well qualified to carry on and improve 
the great work commenced by one who was in the past recognised 
as a leader among gardeners. Here the true beauties of hardy 
plants may be seen. Despite obstacles which are now being re¬ 
moved, masses of choice Alpines, growing on rockeries as luxuriantly 
as on their native mountains, attract attention, as do huge clumps 
of flowering shrubs and plants on grassy slopes. This is truly 
a beautiful garden of hardy plants, and although it possesses 
advantages for their cultivation, it is after all but an instance 
where the gardener’s art and good judgment have combined 
with and assisted Nature. Similar gardens, if on a less elaborate 
No. 2403.—VOL. XCL, Old Series. 
