ROBSON QUALITY SEED, HALL, NEW YORK 53 

Robson's Perennials 
Perennials are those accommodating plants that when once planted come up year after year. 
require some care and frequent dividing and replanting. 
They do 
In the small perennial border it is often impossible to have a large enough variety of perennials to keep the 
garden gay with color, because perennials have their period of bloom. Therefore, it is wise to have a definite 
spot where annuals can be raised and moved to the perennial border to supplement the color display. 
In preparing a perennial flower bed or border for a new planting, the soil should be well supplied with humus 
by spading ¥% to | bushel of rotted manure or peat moss into the soil. 
Growing your own perennials from seed is an enjoyable and economical pastime if a few rules are followed. 
1. Sow all perennial seed as soon as possible after June Ist. 
2. Acoldframe is preferable as a seedbed; however, seed can be sown in the garden. 
3. Seeds should be sown in rows 6 inches apart and covered twice their diameter by sifting soil over them. 
Press the soil firmly with a board after sowing. 
4. Cover the entire bed with burlap or cheesecloth. All watering should be done on the burlap 
5. As soon as the seedlings appear remove the covering and put a shading about a foot from the ground over 
them—a lath shade is very satisfactory. This will keep off the scorching sunlight. 
Never let the seedbed dry out. 
6. Scratch in a small amount of plant food between the rows of seedlings when they are about 6 weeks old. 
The shading can be removed then on a cloudy or rainy day. 
7. Late in August the plants can be transplanted to their permanent positions. 
CANTERBURY BELLS 
Cup and Saucer, Mixed Colors. The large cup and 
saucer like flowers of Canterbury Bells in beautiful 
shades of white, pink, blue and deep purple are very 
showy. The plants are biennials (require two years 
to bloom after which they die) and grow 2 ft. tall. 
Protect them with a winter mulch of leaves or 
straw around the roots; do not cover the crowns. 
eee apart ertee Ee Kt locy Let Pkt... 25¢c.0 14 
OZ. /0C. 
COLUMBINE 
(Aquilegia) 
The beautiful long-spurred Columbine have many 
advantages. They are easily raised, grow well in 
shady places, and have attractive foliage that is an 
asset when the plant is not in bloom. Distance apart, 
Ift. 
Long-Spurred Blue Shades. A superior strain 
that is the result of years of selecting. Flowers are 
huge, on plants 3 to 4 ft. high. Pkt. 25c; Lg. Pkt. 
50c. 
Long-Spurred Hybrids. ‘This is an especially fine 
strain of long-spurred Columbine containing many 
new and unique colors. Pkt. 25c; Lg. Pkt. 50c. 
COREOPSIS 
Double Sunburst. Coreopsis is one of the most 
popular hardy yellow flowers. The plants make a 
clump 2% ft. high, with large, fully double, clear 
golden yellow blooms. It remains in flower for 
several months and is very useful as a cut flower. 
Distance apart, 18 inches. Pkt. 15c; Lg. Pkt. 25c. 
FORGET-ME-NOTS* 
Myosotis 
Royal Blue. The dainty dark blue-flawers of Forget- 
me-nots are favorites with many gardeners for early 
spring bloom. Plants are dwarf, growing 2 to 10 
inches high and the flowers are borne in clusters. 
They are not reliably hardy except when given a 
mulch for winter protection. Very effective com- 
bined with tulips, daffodils, pansies, or naturalized 
under trees and shrubs. Pkt. 25c; Lg. Pkt. 50c. 

Cup and Saucer Canterbury Bells are, in the opinion of many 
gardeners, the best biennial. They are very showy in the mixed 
border. 
FOXGLOVE 
Digitalis 
Shirley Giant Hybrids. Developed in England, 
the giant, 4 foot Shirley hybrids are of extraordinary 
size and vigor. The large drooping flowers which 
are clustered closely along the flower spikes range in 
color from white to dark rose and purple and are 
spotted with crimson and maroon. They are among 
the first flowers of the spring. After the ground 
has frozen in the fall apply a light mulch around the 
roots for winter protection. Pkt. 15c; Lg. Pkt. 
25c; % oz. 75c. 
