Perennial phlox is most effective in 
masses 
The German iris blooms for about three weeks just preceding the 
Japanese variety 
Hardy Perennials 
WHY THEY ARE WORTHY OF BEING, MADE THE 
BACKBONE OF THE BUSY MAN’S GARDEN 
BY MRS. M. A. NICHOLS 
Photographs by Nathan R. Graves and the Editor 
Sow seeds of perennial or annual 
larkspur now 
F OR those lovers of flowers who are unable to command 
help to take care of the annuals, 1 want to urge a 
closer acquaintance with the herbaceous perennials. It 
takes a lot of time and trouble to keep a bed of annuals 
in good condition throughout the summer months. Peren¬ 
nials, on the other hand, take care of themselves. Further¬ 
more, they are not so susceptible to harm from changes in 
temperature and seasons of drought. 
Long-continued cultivation has brought out wonderful 
beauties in many of the herbaceous perennials and while 
they still retain the familiar characteristics that distin¬ 
guished them in the gardens of long ago, they are neverthe¬ 
less more beautiful now than ever. 
Of course, the main purpose of any garden owner is to 
find plants that will bloom early, in the mid-summer and 
late, so as to afford bloom continually and abundantly 
throughout the season. Here are some of the better known 
perennials, with a word as to varieties that have proven 
their worth in the author’s garden. It should hardly be 
necessary to add that strong, hardy plants only should be 
secured and these from reliable nurseries. It is well to order 
one’s selections early in the season, so as to get first choice 
and so that the plants may be well established before 
frost. 
The large-flowering, hardy perennial phlox, in its bril¬ 
liant and diversified colorings, will bloom from May to 
frost, after it is once well settled in its place in the garden. 
Among the varieties worthy of note are: — P. Bonnetain, 
rose overlaid with salmon; R. P. Struthers, brilliant rosy- 
red with crimson eye; Coquelicot, fine pure scarlet with 
deep crimson eye; Jeanne d’Arc, a magnificent pure 
white. 
Peonies are gaining favor at a rapid rate, in the minds 
of some out-rivalling the rose. Moreover, they do not 
require half the trouble that is necessary for rose culture, 
if we would have the best flowers. Peonies are not subject 
to insects and do not require anything more in the way of 
winter protection than a light mulching after cutting down 
the old stalks. They like a rich, loamy soil, but will do well 
in an ordinary garden and are not hard to please as regards 
location. A friend of mine has a hedge of them in which 
the various colors appear, and it is gorgeous indeed! 
Among the varieties that have proven their worth are: 
the new fern-leaved peony, Tenuifolia, a rich crimson 
double, resembling the General Jacqueminot rose in color, 
with fine feathered foliage; Rubra Plena, a vivid red; 
Rosea Plena, a beautiful rose color; Queen Victoria, an 
extra fine white; and the lighter intermingled shades are 
especially fine. 
Carnation pinks are always satisfactory, especially the 
one color crimson. These are truly next to the “divine 
flower.” I have managed to have a large cluster of them 
the past two seasons, by taking up a large pailful for the 
cellar, a potful for the window garden, and protecting 
those remaining in the ground with a light covering. All 
three experiments were successful, and as a result, when 
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