Perennials the Season Through 
Perennials are assuming: their proper place in our gardens. Their cultivation is 
a delight to all who are interested in the procession of color that advances from early 
spring until late fall. It is possible, by careful selection, to have flowers eight months 
in the year in our latitude. If one owns a home or expects to occupy one two years 
or more, these are the varieties to give permanence to the garden. 
Some varieties, such as Canterbury Bells, are biennials (these come up the first 
year from seed, flower and die the next) and they should be planted each year for 
the next season’s flowers. Some like Dianthus Barbatus (Sweet William), also bien¬ 
nials, multiply readily from self-sown seed and should be divided when too thick. 
Hollyhocks are perennials, but they also reproduce themselves by seed dropped from 
the parent plant. 
Perennials may be secured in plants and seeds—plants for immediate effect, al¬ 
though some perennial seeds if sown too early bloom the same year (Gaillardia, 
Coreopsis and Iceland Poppies, will do this). The best time to sow perennial seed is 
in May and June, although they may be sown in July and August. The earlier plant¬ 
ing secures larger plants which will winter over more successfully. 
Prepare a seed bed in a sheltered position where the amount of sunshine and 
moisture can not be controlled; pulverize the soil and carefully sow seed in rows to 
the depth of not more than four times the size of the seed (fine seed to be merely 
covered); when seedlings are large enough, transplant in rows in the garden. In 
September transplant to their permanent position in the garden. In setting these it 
is well to dig a larger hole than the root calls for and incorporate in the bottom a 
trowel full of well rotted manure, covering manure with soil so that roots will not come 
in contact with the manure until they are in want of additional nourishment. 
Perennials should be placed in groups for best effect. Plant in early spring or 
fall. 
After a long and tiresome winter we welcome with joy the first sunshiny days 
and warm spring rains, knowing that in a short time our garden will respond to their 
kindly influence and we will enjoy fruits of our last year’s work. 
Among the earliest are the dainty white Rock Cress (arabis alpina); the bright 
golden Alyssum (saxatile compactum). Phlox subulata rosea is a compact mass of 
foliage with dainty pink flowers. Viola Comuta (tufted pansies) create an oriental 
carpet of splendor with their gay flowers of yellow, blue and white in all shades. 
These have the additional beauty of blooming all season long. The Crocus, Snowdrops 
(Galanthus) and grape Hyacinths (Muscari), (bulbous stock) add to the spring 
symphony of color. 
The first flowers of spring are modest and hug close to Mother Earth. Mertensia 
Virginica and hardy Primroses make an ideal combination. Pink Darwin tulips are 
wonderful with the blue of the Mertensia. Iris pumila (not to be confused with the 
German and Japanese varieties which are later) grow close to the ground. Iris Flor¬ 
entine is followed by the long stemmed Iris which will last until early July, Mvosotis 
Palustris (Forget-Me-Not) can be used as background of shrubs. Aquilegias (Colum¬ 
bine) run through a complete color range and are most charming, Mrs. Scott Elliott’s 
long spurred strains particularly so. 
The Dianthus family follows with the clove pinks (Dianthus Plumarius) and 
Sweet Williams (Dianthus Barbatus) making the garden fragrant and gay at the 
same time. 
Fragrant Lily of the Valley—the bride’s flower—carpets the ground in June. 
Polemoniums bloom from May to the end of June. Lupins follow in several attractive 
shades. Try Harkness’ regale mixture and Downer’s hybrids. Nudicaule (Iceland) 
Poppies are delicate subjects (try the Sunbeams). The Shasta Daigy furnishes won¬ 
derful cutting material. 
Campanula or Bell flowers, now dominate the garden for several weeks with their 
various varieties. 
Pyrethrum Roseum, or Painted Daisy is a large pink daisv-like flower like the 
Shasta Daisy. Delphiniums (Larkspur) particularly the dark Formosum and Indigo 
are at their best near the pure white Lilium Candidum. Anchusa Dropmore is a wel¬ 
come blue color. The Oriental Poppies offer a blaze of color. 
Hollyhocks are gay sentinels of July. It is now mid-summer and hardy Phlox in 
their mvriad shades add to the beauty for a few weeks. Trv Phlox Elizabeth Camp¬ 
bell with Candidum Lilies. Garden Heliotrope (Valerian Alba is delightful after a 
shower: lovely with Anchusa. Red perennials should be hacked against green back¬ 
ground away from other conflicting colors. Day Lilies or Hemerocallis. may he found 
from primrose to deep orange shades. Evening Primrose (Oenothera is another use¬ 
ful yellow perennial. Blue Flax (Linum Perenne) is delightful planted with Miss 
Lingard Phlox. Pentstemon Gentianoides and Gladiolus Primulinus make another 
charming arrangement 
