HOUSE AND GARDEN 
1 57 
April, 1910 
of the more recumbent varieties, like H. Moserianum, are fine for 
planting in front of shrubs of more robust growth, as well as for 
carpeting barren spots. The Hypericum blooms continuously 
throughout the summer, and is one of the most desirable hardy 
plants we have. H. aureum has a stiffer, more compact growth 
and golden-yellow flowers in cymes in July; preferring a rocky, 
moist soil and a shady place, while H. hircinum does best in dry 
soil and bears its yellow flowers in clusters of two or three in 
August. 
The golden-leaved Syringa ( Philadelphus ) is a beautiful thing 
when contrasted with a background of dark green and does well in 
partial shade. Like most hardy shrubs the Syringa is not partic¬ 
ular as to soil, almost any good garden soil growing it successfully. 
Rhododendrons are excellent shrubs for shaded places. They 
require a deep, well drained soil which should contain a generous 
proportion of leaf mold and be quite free from lime. Where this 
latter is present in the soil the Rhododendrons should not be 
planted, or, if they are desired, the earth should be removed 
from the beds to a depth of two feet and suitable soil supplied. 
The Azalea, while requiring, practically, the same soil and condi¬ 
tions as the Rhododendron, is not so sensitive to the presence of 
lime in the soil. 
FLOWERS 
Where there is only shade in which to create a garden, one will, 
naturally, wish to lighten it up as much as possible and by a glow 
of color compensate for a lack of sunshine. For this purpose there 
is nothing better than white and yellow and the list of shade-loving 
plants affords some fine examples of each color. 
The Golden Glow, which would seem to require the fullest 
amount of sunshine, will grow and bloom with little loss of vigor 
in a partially shaded position; and that glowing scarlet flower, 
the Salvia, does remarkably well on the north side of a wall or 
building. 
For positions where a tall-growing plant seems called for, 
Stenanthium robustum may be recommended. This hardy peren¬ 
nial is a recent introduction which 
sends up tall flower stems, four or 
five feet in height, crowned with pan¬ 
icles of fleecy-white flowers which are 
wonderfully effective. It requires a 
rather moist situation or should be 
given abundance of water during its 
season of growth and bloom. 
Somewhat resembling it in the 
foamy-whiteness of its flowers, the 
Giant Knotweed ( Polygonum ) affords 
abundance of bloom during August 
and September. The plant is very 
tall-growing, sending up blooming 
stalks six and seven feet in height 
clothed with large leaves from which 
spring large, drooping clusters of 
foamy-white flowers. A rose-colored 
form of Polygonum is found in P. 
bistortum superbum, and a dwarf¬ 
growing form, suitable for the edging 
of borders, in P. compactum. This 
later variety is easily raised from 
seed and so may be had in quantity 
to use as an edging for beds of tall- 
growing plants or to break up the 
formality of what might otherwise be 
too stiff a planting of erect growths. 
A beautiful, tall-growing flower 
with blue Forget-me-not-like blossoms 
is found in the Dropmore variety of 
the Italian Borage ( Anchusa Italica). 
Unlike the Forget-me-not, however, the blooms of this lovely 
plant are an inch or an inch and a quarter in diameter, borne 
in large spikes on stems five and six feet high. This is an espe¬ 
cially effective plant to row in connection with the Stenanthium. 
The Monk’s Hood ( Aconitum ) rejoices in partial shade and its 
flowers are much finer and deeper in hue if afforded a congenial 
location. There are some very good new forms of this old-time 
favorite, but the nearer the flowers approach to the clear, ultra- 
marine blue, the more satisfactory they will prove. Its gem-like 
clearness of ultramarine is really a wonderful color, and one seldom 
met with in flowers. Some varieties of Delphinium possess it and 
a certain form of Browallia. The dwarf Lobelia speciosa has it, 
but most blue flowers show azure or sky-blue tints and many 
verge too closely on lavender to be fairly considered blue. The 
newest Aconitum is A. IVilsoni, an introduction from northern 
China; this is entirely distinct from all other species and has the 
extremely dignified height of six feet, with very large flowers of a 
light violet-blue. It comes into bloom early in September. In 
striking contrast to this vigorous sort is the dwarf variety, A. 
Fischeri, which grows but eighteen inches high, and shows very 
large pale blue flowers. A. Napellus bicolor is a blue and white 
form very dainty and pretty. The earliest-flowering forms come 
into bloom in June and continue well into July, while the late- 
flowering forms remain in bloom well into October, thus giving 
a continuance of bloom scarcely exceeded by any class of flowers. 
It may not be matter of general knowledge that the Aconitum 
will give a succession of flowers after the first florescence has 
passed, if the plants are not allowed to form seeds. This species 
is benefited by frequent lifting and division. The old root dies 
out and new plants form about the old crown, which should be 
taken up and reset. Another point to be taken into considera¬ 
tion in growing the Aconitum is its proneness to bend, when 
fully grown, under the stress of heavy rain especially if accom¬ 
panied by wind. It is necessary, for this reason, to afford the 
plants some support. The wire Peony supports are excellent 
for the purpose, or one may manufacture a home-made support of 
three or four neat stakes with 
wires run through them a few 
inches apart; these if painted green 
will not be at all conspicuous and 
will keep the plants in shape. 
I he Aconitum is very difficult to 
lift, once it is down, as the stalks 
are brittle and inclined to break 
at the crown. 
The varieties of the Bell Flower, 
(Campanula) are satisfactory plants 
for semi-shady places and some of 
the tall-growing sorts are highly 
ornamental. They have the ad¬ 
vantage of being very easily grown 
and some of the varieties may be 
depended upon to come up year 
after year, self-sown, C. Pyramidalis 
being especially reliable in this re¬ 
spect and making a growth of five 
or six feet. It bears spikes of 
saucer-shaped blue or white flow¬ 
ers excellent for cutting, the white 
being especially attractive. They 
are the handsomest in foliage of 
all the Beil Flowers, their leaves 
being very glossy and shaped much 
like that of the violet. In early 
spring before the plants begin to run 
up, the low cluster of foliage is 
handsome. The Campanula is a 
(Continued on page xxiii) 
A mass of gorgeous blossomed Rhododendrons now grows 
where once there was a grassless plot under the thick- 
foliaged tree 
