The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-10-08
Perennials.

HerDaceOus perennlalS embrace all plants the
stems of which die down after maturing to
seed and shoot up from the roots the following
spring.
Within the last ten or fifteen years there have
been many styles of gardening introduced, I'M
known to gardeners Of the old school. Among
the new styles. that of massing, or bedding a
number Of plants of the same color. has be-
came very prevalent, so that we frequently
visit a garden where not one OF our old-fash-
toned favorites is To be found. The borders
are lined with snowy Achyranth,is and Aler-
nanthera, in place of the more homely Box we
used in the garden Of my boyhood the beds
are filled with handsome Coeous and other
tropical plants, while i'll many gardens the
sweet-scented Carnaton is discarded and so
we might 20 on adj infinitum. Areaction seems
to have taken place, however, and we are glad
to observe an increased interest Is being taken
in the flowers our grandmothers loved to cult
vate. 1t is worthy of notice that, while
herbaceous perennials have III many gardens ut
the East entirely disappeared, they are to be
found at every door-yard in the West thus
proving that those who left the East as pion-
GERS III new country carried with them little
pieces Of the flowers which were dear to them
ut home.
We love to encourage the cultivation of hardy
perennlals because they are inexpensive and re-
quire so little care, and, once started, they will
time.
The seeds of some of these perennials, if sown
In the early spring, will bloom the same season,
but by far the safest and best way is to SOW the
seeds i'll August and September covering the
seedlings before real cold weather sets i'll with
a slight protection of leaves or litter. Those
having plants will find this a good month to
divide roots, and to all others who have q taste
for this class of plants l would suggest getting
the seed into the ground not later than the fif-
tetnth of September.
To aid my floral sisters in making proper
selection of these perennials L will very briefly
name n few kinds. The Antilinneum or snap
dragon blooms from seed the first season, gives
the children lots of fun with its pecuhar-shaped
flowers. Hollyhocks are very snowy, and come
in wonderful variety of shades from pure
white to dark Maroon and some of our yellow
ones are very Double
Among the earliest flowers Of spring we have
the Aquilegia or Columbine there are several
distinct colors of these, and even if they never
gave a flower, we believe we would have them
on account of their pretty foliage. Somewhat
resembling them, but blooming much later in
the season, and lasting from June until Novem-
Der, We have the pretty delphiviums.
All kinds of plnks are valuable, and among
them we find our first favorite, the pet of our
boyhood, the Sweet William. Years ago had
one, q very dark crimson, and from the seed that
1t produced we raised thirty-two different shades
the next season. Another plant which we admire
is the Ipomopsis, or Texas Star. There are two
varieties, scarlet with yellow and clear yellow.
Dieitalis, or Fox Glove, is a stately plant. The
flowers continue in bloon long while. Hon
esty, or satin plant. il an old favorite, and the
seed-pods, when dried, are quite ornamental,
mixed among everlastings or dried grasses.
Beside these, / grow and admire the Canterbury
Bell and the Wafiower One of the prettiest
vines we know of among the perennials is the
EVprln M ia m
shape and color as the popular annual Sweet
Pea. All these will come very true and quite
readily from seed Let the seed-bed be made
iii a sheltered, shady place in the garden where
they can have a little protection in winter and
for the little labor you bestow on your seed
beds this fall, you will be rewarded with con-
slant blossoms, commencing early in the spring
with the little Forgst-me-not, continuing
through the summer with Snapdragon and
others previously described, and ending with
the pretty Chrysanthemums i'll their various
colors. Mr.. RESNIE.
AISswoRrH, Iowa.