Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-28
Hearty Plants for
Spring Planting
BY IDA d. BENNETT.


CPRING-planted shrubs rarely fall to do
- well If the precaution is observed of
moving them while dormant, the only
exception ! need to mention being the va
rious irises when purchased from florists.
These. being dug in the fall and kept in
cold storage during winter have their VI
tally much depleted by spring, and are
then of doubtful value. This is especially
true Of the japanese iris; the German and
English, being much more hardy, are not SO
easily injured. Home grown iris would bet
ter be moved in the spring.
All transplanted plants do better II the
top growth is reduced by cutting or trim
ming and all broken or injured roots must
be removed with very sharp knife.
Among the desirable shrubs for fall or
spring planting are the various spiraeas;
these are both shrubby and herbaceous. OF
the shrubby variety Anthony Waters Is the
only really good crimson. or red. variety.
and is very fine. The catalogues give it
dwarf character rarely exceeding eighteen
inches, but my own experience with the plant
Is that with rich soil 1T much exceeds that
height. Van de Houttei is the finest white
sort and is especially valuable grown singly
on the lawn, where it may develop Its beau
tful form to perfection. OF the herbaceous
spiraeas the flipendula is very desirable
for the border or for edging shrubbery. Ihe
fern-ike foliage. which is of itself hand
some enough to gain recognition, is sur
mounted in June with spikes Of double
daisy-like flowers of creamy white 1t Is
very fine for cut flowers and for forcing in
winter. The clumps increase rapidly, and
should be divided and reset every three or
four years.
Then there is the od-fashoned garden
spiraea. with its pinky-white feathery
blossoms. very fragrant especially when
wet with dew.
Plant iris (1eur -de-lis) generously. They
will grow in size and beauty from year to
year and are valuable for borders along
drives or walks, for the filling of corners or
low, damp spots. BY planting the different
varieties "a succession of bloom, from May
until the latter part of July, may be Sc
cured
The German iris furnishes some mag
nificent color effects in purple and bronze,
yellow and lavender, blue and white. The
japanese are wonderful both in color and
siZe--fowers seven inches in diameter be-
ing quite common, while twelve inches is
attained in some instances. The flowers
differ ma terialy in form from other iris
as to appear distinct class.
Unlike the German iris. they hold their
petals neither erect nor dropping but hori
zontally, or fiat. making a great disk of
lovely color, ranging through all the shades
of blue. lilac, blue and white, and plum, to
crimson purple magenta, and pink. They
are more tender and less quickly starved
than the German, but do well when estab-
liShed.
A low. damp spot suits them best, and
where this is not available they should be
abundantly supplied with water. German
iris will do we'll in any good garden soil
and under ordinary cultivation. Iris should
be taken up and divided every three or four
years. removing all dead exhausted
growth. and setting one live toe. or point,
in place They Will not do we'll the first
year of dividing. but the following year
will be very fine, especially if there have
been enough roots to make several long,
parallel rows.
The French lilacs are to be recommended