Sherman Nursery Company, Charles City, Iowa 
Hardy Herbaceous Perennials 
Herbaceous plants are those having- soft 
stalks, dying- down to the roots each fall. 
Hardy herbaceous perennials are those which 
may be allowed to remain permanently in the 
ground, their stem and foliage dying each 
autumn, coming up with renewed vigor the 
following spring as the result of the increased 
root system. 
This class of flowering plants have a strong- 
appeal to all home makers. Once planted they 
bring forth a mass of bloom in varied colors 
and shades. Their flower stalks ranging from 
a few inches to several feet in height, allow 
many choices of locations 
where they may be used ef¬ 
fectively. Use perennials 
among or in front of the 
foundation a n d border 
planting, in beds a long- 
walks and drives, in the rock 
garden and around the pool. 
The accompanying- dia¬ 
gram shows a perennial bor¬ 
der which can be adapted 
to almost any location. The 
places marked T should be 
planted to tall growing- 
plants, the places marked 
M to medium growing, and 
the spaces marked L plant¬ 
ed to low g-rowing peren¬ 
nials. MT signifies medium-tall. This plan is 
appropriate for use in front of a hedge or back¬ 
ground of shrubbery, or in front of lattice work, 
as illustrated. 
Planting Directions 
In planting perennials, work the soil until 
it is free of big lumps and air pockets. 
1. The majority of perennials are of the 
crown type and these should be planted with 
the crown on the level of the dirt line. Lark¬ 
spur, phlox and foxglove are well known plants 
of this type. 
2. Hollyhocks and plants with similar roots 
should be planted straig’bt down with the bud 
just below the surface of the dirt. 
3. Peonies and other plants with similar- 
roots should be planted with the tips of the 
buds at or just below the surface of the ground. 
4. Iris and other such perennials should be 
planted with the main root just below the 
ground, or sometimes partly exposed. 
In planting perennials, as in all other kinds 
of planting, spread the roots naturally and 
water the roots, not the top. 
ACHILLEA (Yarrow)— Of easiest culture and 
very valuable for borders and rock work, or 
in situations refused by more tender plants. 
Make good carpets in dry places. June to 
September. One to two feet. 
ANTHEMIS (Hardy Marguerite) —Glowing- 
yellow, daisy-like flowers, with handsome, 
finely cut foliage, make it a very desirable 
perennial. Wonderful, free flowering, bloom¬ 
ing- all summer long. They should be in 
every border planting. 
Arabia, where it is supposed to have origi¬ 
nated. Small trailing perennials grown 
mostly in rock work and the Alpine garden 
because of their natural hardihood and their 
early and profuse flowering habits. 
ALPINE C'OH PACTA —Pure white flowers in 
dense masses, for edging border, and lovely 
for cut blooms, lasting a long while in water. 
Nine inches tall. Blooms April and May. 
ASTER (Michaelmas Daisy) —From Aster—a 
star; referring to the g-eneral shape of the 
flower heads. These stand unrivaled for 
their brilliant shades of color and extreme 
profusion of bloom during the autumn 
months. They are invaluable for the bor¬ 
der and for cut flowers. Very hardy and 
easily grown, deservedly the popular peren¬ 
nials that they are. The list of varieties be¬ 
low does not contain any of the weedy sorts: 
Perry’s Blue —A great beauty. Has much 
branched, erect dark stems covered with 
rich lavender-blue flowers standing out 
alone, the effect being loose pyramidal 
heads. Three feet. August and September. 
Robert Parker —Large sprays of beautiful 
large, soft lavender-blue flowers with yel¬ 
low centers; extra fine; a valuable cut 
flower. Five feet. August and September. 
