Inter-State Nurseries . . Hamburg, Iowa 
Settee ee eee Re Ba OME 
° Peonies prefer 
Peonies to be in full sun 4 oe 
but will grow and bloom if AS 
they receive sun at least half WN Rye meesaee 
the day. But they must not - EEN 
be under trees or large “Hea 
shrubs. Plant in moderately 
rich, well-drained soil. Set 
them 3 to 4 feet apart. Cover 
the eyes with 2 inches of soil 
as illustrated. Be sure to \ 
press the dirt firmly and if \ ) 
dry, water thoroughly. In 4 4 
late fall cut off the old tops — 
and throw away or burn. An occasional light top 
dressing of barnyard manure is beneficial in the fall, 
leaving on all winter and work into the ground in the 
spring. Peonies planted in the fall should have a light 
mulch over them the first winter. 


e Plant them just as soon as you receive 
Perennials them. Plant so the crown (where root 
and top join) is at ground level if the top has made 
some growth, but if there is no growth, plant so the 
crown is covered with % inch of soil. 
If perennials are planted in the fall, be sure to put 
a mulch on them, using a mixture of straw and 
leaves or wild hay, if you can get it, as leaves alone 
make too tight a mulch and will Smother the plants. 
This mulch is to prevent alternate freezing and thaw- 
ing, because where plants freeze and then thaw the 
roots will become loosened from the soil and then 
they will die. This mulch is very necessary in fall 
planting, but, of course, is not necessary in spring 
planting. 
Phlox Plant so the crown is 1% inches below the 
ground level. If planted in the fall, be sure 
to put on a mulch after the ground freezes. 
If you have not planted the new and improved va- 
rieties of Phlox, plant Some, because they are very 
superior to the old varieties. Do not let go to seed. 
Phlox is sometimes attacked by red spider, rust or 
mildew. To control, use any ordinary good garden 
spray. Apply when the air is still and the foliage is 
dry. 
In the late fall mound up three to four inches of 
soil over the plants as winter protection. Level off 
in the spring after danger of freezing is over. 
° ° Poppies should be planted 
P opptes, Oriental in they fall: planted ‘solthe 
crown is covered with 1 inch of fine dirt. Then cover 
with a handful of excelsior or lawn rakings. ‘This 
keeps the crown from drying out and the leaves will 
grow right up through it and will get winter protec- 
tion. This will help prevent alternate freezing and 
thawing also. In fact, they must have a slight mulch 
around the plant to prevent being heaved out during 
the winter. 
Do not permit any water to stand in the crown of 
the plant. This is apt to rot the plant. 
Poppies should be planted on a slight mound so 
that they have. perfect surface drainage. If water 
stands around the crown, it will rot. 
. Plant 6 to 8 inches apart. They like a 
P rumrose rather moist, fairly shady location and 
rich soil. If your soil is poor, enrich it with some old 
manure. If your soil is rather dry, water it frequently 
so the plants will not dry out too much. 
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