The Washington times., 1894-05-20
FLOWERS FOR The GRAVES
Plants Best Adapted for Use in the
Cemeteries.
SOME HEALTHY BLooAEKs
Those Which Are Hardy Require but Very
Little Attention While Growing-Al
Colors Are Suitable for araveyards-A
Limited Selection.

Limited belec1on.
Plants for use In the cemetery ought to be
free bloomers. good growers, able to get along
with very little attention after planting, and
above all, hardy, writes Eben E. Rexford in
the Domestic Monthly. tender plant is out
OF place there, no matter how beautiful 1t may
be, because most persons cannot give 1t the
protection 1t must have in order to endure oul
long and severe winters.
These requirements necessarily limit us in
our selection. We have but few plants that
are free bloomers, robust enough to get along
with but little care, and perfectly hardy. Let
me say, just here, that am not one Of those
persons who consider no flower suitable foY
cemetery use unless it is white. All colors
are appropriate there.
Among the shrubs the hydrangea Is per-
haps best adapted for cemetery use. because
it is so extremely hardy, and because 1t Is a
Towering. These qualities give 1t a place
near the head Of the list, II not quite at the
head. Success with 1t is reasonably certain
il 1t be planted in rich soil and grass be
kept from choking 1t. 1t has Q much more
symmetrical habit OF growth than most shrubs
il left to take care OF ITSELF and this is another
point in its favor. II one has large lot I
would suggest planting several hydrangeas
in group. The effect Of half a dozen plants
placed 30 close together that they seem to be
one great plant when Developed is very fine.
The result Is much more satisfactory than
when the same number OF plants are scattered
about the lot.
Deutzias, gracilis, and crenata are very de-
sirable shrubs. They are not large growers,
therefore care should be exercised in planting
them. Never make the mistake Of getting
them In the background. Give them q place
near the front of the lot, where their beauty
can be fully displayed. These are much
more effective If grouped than when planted
singly
They form a rounded, compact plant II cut
back somewhat during the first year or two,
and are more effective planted slngiy than
most OF our shrubs are. There are sew
eral fine varieties in rvse and red, and
one good white sort which can be used
very effectively in combination with the
red because Of the contrast 1t affords.
The old purple lilac is admirably adapted
to cemetery use on lot where there is no
tree and where a large shrub would be effec-
tive as q substitute. 1t is one of the most
beautiful OF all our shrubs, blooms early and
profusely, and Is entirely able to take care Of
itself. 1t can be made to take on q tree form
If thought best by allowing but one stalk to
grow but prefer to grow it as a shrub be-
cause that seems to be its natural form. The
Persian lilac is more graceful variety than
the old sort because OF its slenderer shape.
Its flowers are very beautiful, but hardly as
sweet as those Of the other. There is'a white
lilac that would be pretty were 1t not for the
fact that its flowers are produced SO far down
among the terminal leaves Of the branches
that they are half hidden by them. 1t is not
SO free bloomer as the other sorts named.
The Japan ounce, or cydonia, Is very
charming early bloomer. Its flowers are .
rich, shining scarlet. It is a somewhat low
grower, therefore should have o place in the
foreground.
One Of the most desirable plants for ceme-
tery use with which am familiar with is,
strange to say, but very little known. Why
1t is not more extensively grown 1 cannot
say. 1t Is perfectly hardy; 1t has pretty ever
green foliage, and beautiful pink flowers
borne in clusters at the end Of the branches.
1t blooms at intervals during the season. For
front rows it is very desirable. being OF low,
spreading habit. Its name is daphne moze-
reum. 1 think 1t is somewhat difficult to
propagate, and this probably accounts for its
scarcity.
The best white rose for cemetery planting
is Nine. Planter, most profuse bloomer,
entirely hardy. Tho rugosa varieties, with
their rich. crinkled foliage, are very pretty,
as the seed pods are as quite effective as
flowers.
Among hardy perennial or herbaceous
plants the achilea Il general favorite because
Of its constant Towering habit. 1t is very
hardy. The flowers are small, but borne in
such clusters all over the plant that q brave
show is made by them. They are pure white,
and double.
The anemone is an old favorite, as It well
deserves to be. 1t begins to bloom in Septem-
Der as general thing, and continues to
flower to cold weather sets in. Alba is pure
white. with yellow center: rubra rosy purple.
Both these varieties are single. A new vari-
ETY. has been recently introduced under the
name of "whirlwind," that is quite double.
1t is evidently chance seeding from A. alba,
and 1t must prove grand acquisition to the
list of desirable plants for cemetery use.
The herbaceous spireas are among our
most beautiful plants. Palmata bears great,
plume-like spikes Of most graceful. delicate
flowers on stalks that lift them well above the
foliage This variety is bright rose. Alba is
pure white. These are very effective when
planted together.
The perennial phloxes are very desirable,
because they are SO self-reliant. They do
enough better with good care to make it
worth while to give it. but they can get along
very well with next to no care, and on this
account they should be widely planted by
those who cannot give much attention to
plants on the cemetery lot. They are won-
derful bloomers. continuing until very late
in the season, and we have no plant making
a greater show of rich and delicate color.
The rose and carmine varieties are finest and
there are several good white varieties that
can be used with them.
There are two varieties OF phlox suhlata-
commonly called moss pink-that are very
suitable for cemetery use, because Of their
low growth. They form a cushion Of foliage
almost completely covered with flowers. One
variety is pure white. the other rose-colored.
Coreopsis lanceolata Is a very pretty yellow
flower. It is most effective when planted with