Cañon City record., 1908-04-02
BEST PLANTS FOR
THE HONE GARDEN

For general home flower gardening
there is no class Of plants more salts
factory than the hardy herbaceous
perennials.
This is due to the fact that when
once established they do not require
as much or as particular attention as
the ANIMALS. And. then. they anord
such a wealth of blossom and foliage
that their proper use adds greatly to
the attractiveness OF any home. Be-
sides these very desirable qualities
they afford an opportunity for the
studiously inclined to develop a most
legitimate, artistic taste, through a
study In harmonious arrangement.
We might say that they differ from
hardy shrubs in that their tops die
back each winter. and. from the an
nuals In that their roots survive from
year to year. increasing In site and
vigor each season. From these clumps
Of roots. in ear1y spring. there arises
a strong. vigorous plant, which In its
season affords a glorious array of
blossom. a..
As a general consideration the per-
ennials are best adapted to Position
in front OF the shrubBery section, with
a southern aspect, which gives prop
er background for the display Of their
floral garb. A few are suitable for in
dividual specimens, but the best re-
suits will be obtained from mass
planting. and that rather thickly.
The most satisfactory scheme OF
planting Is one in which the several
kinds OF plants are grouped in more
or less dintinct sections, according to
their floral colors and general height.
These sections should rather indis-
criminately merge by judicious mix
ing from one to another and should
further be arranged so as to supply
succeeding crops OF blossom we'll dis
tributed over the entire bed or border
The object being not to pass abruptly
from one class Of flower or blossom to
another and thus give a stiR. formal
effect. but to merge the various colors
into a happy informal group.
Individual taste and experience
must necessarily enter prominently
into any scheme that may be decided
upon. One advantage Of this section
Of plants lies in the fact that they
may be changed about almost at will
SO as to bring out the desired effects
In fact, constant. minor, yearly
changes should be made in order tc
bring out new features and horal pic.
lures. Besides. all the roots will need
dividing every two. three or foul
years in order to promote health ant
vigor and to preserve the general
plan.
Now. in reference to the prepara'
ton required previous to planting. ~
| would cay that too much attention
cannot be given to this feature. TIT
coil should be rich. porous and vel
drained. and at the same time reten
tive or fnoiAture. The bed shoalt
be stirred deeply and we'll pulveri1ed
This will give a very conEenial en-
vironment In which the roots may at
tain to their largest proportions. thu
providing the nourishment for th'
strong. healthy plant, supporting 4
1 massive array OF blossom.
Gross neglect along these lines viii
invite failure Of similar proportions
The fertility OF the soil should be con
stantly maintained by the addition d
barnyard manure applied in wintei
after the ground has been frozen. Thi.
will form a mulch for winter protec
ton which Is usually quite desirable
and when spaded under in the sprint
will add the necessary elements to th'
soil to maintain its fertility.
Returning to the plants themselves
We will suggest a few OF the best ant
most commonly accepted individuals
giving their habit Of growth, color o
blossom. period Of blossom and any
other Information within the limitet
scope OF this article.
Aquilegia corelea (Rocky Mountain
Columbine): One foot White ant
blue. June. A most popular plant fol
mass effects. AquileEia chrysanthi
( Golden spurred Columbine): Two tt
three feet. yellow. June. Yer,
hardy and desirable. Coreopsis: TWt
feet Yellow and red or brown. july
to September. A very handsome now
ers, Shasta daisy IA hybrid: EiEhteel
inches to two feet. White. July to An
gust Especially desirable for bordel
planting. Nice for cut howerss Dian
thus barbatus Sweet williams): I:
to Is inches. Variety OF color II
whites and pinks. July TO September
A good bedder. Dicentra spectabilii
; (bleeding hearO: Two to three feet
Pink and white. May to June. A yer,
nroftv Aowor auifad IN ahahv nlnAAa