Evening star., 1939-06-24
Leaves From
Astilbe and Aruncus
Do Well in Shaded,
Moist Situation

Two good herbaceous perennials
that are blooming now and which
are very useful for semi shaded gar
dens are the astilbe sometimes
called herbaceous spirea) and the
goats beard (Aruncus). The latter
is a native of this region. 1t is tall
growing, prefers shade. and has
creamy white flowers. Give it a
moist shady situation in the back
ground. The astilbe is obtainable
in number of named varieties
and is an excellent cut flower. 1t,
too, likes a moist situation.
The battle with crab grass is un-
der way. Summer showers and hot
sun will give the crab grass seed
lings fine start. Some garden
ers are giving their lawns an extra
feeding with the intention of smoth-
ering the crab grass. That is, per-
haps. the easiest way. Anyway an
application of nitrogenous ferti-
lizer makes the bluegrass green
and its growth vigorous. A heavy
stand of bluegrass, If not cut too
closely, will smother out the crab
grass.
Following the recent rains there
will be a tendency for plant dis
eases to develop rapidly and make
serious inroads among our peren-
mails and roses. Frequent appli-
cations of a fungicide, such as bor-
deaux, will help to prevent losses.
Roses, in particular, suffer if de-
foliated by disease.
Many gardeners are enjoying their
daylilies now. The daylily or Hem
erocallis is most worthwhile peren-
nial. It is possible through a care
full selection of varieties to have a
long season of bloom. The foliage
and flowers are attractive through
out the growing season. 1t is one
of the few plants which is not, as
far as we know, bothered by in
sects or diseases. It thrives in the
ordinary garden soil. The day.
lilies like little protection from the
hot afternoon sun but will not
bloom in deep shade.
*4&
AS the oriental poppies die down
it is well to drop a little dirt into
the holes left by the dying stems.
This will prevent water standing
in the holes and causing rot. Dur
ing the summer when they are
dormant is the time that most pop
pies seem to need care.
X X 4
If you must leave your garden
hose lying out in the yard after
you have finished using 1t, put II
under tree or some place where
the sun will not rot the rubber. Sun
shining on the rubber causes 1t to
deteriorate rapidly. When the hose
contains water the useful life is
further shortened.
When setting out new plants at
this season of the year, ANIMALS
perennials, or shrubs, it is good
practice to water them frequently
and thoroughly and to protect them
from the sun. Strawberry boxes
fruit baskets, paper, or even shing-
les inserted in the ground are USE
full for this purpose. To protect
shrubs and trees it is necessary tc
build lath or burlap screens.
\ \ X X
Many perennials have finished
Towering and are beginning to form
seed. If the plants strength is al.
lowed to 60 into the formation Of
the seed the plants vigor is cor
respondingly reduced. It is well
therefore, to take time to remove
the spent blossoms to insure Wig
orous bloom next season. In some
cases the removal Of spent flower
stalks will result in second bloom.
ing this season. Perennials which
need this care include the colum-
bine, delphinium, painted daisy
peony and iris.
X Il X
If q gardener will shear back the
tops of spring bloomers, such as
arabs (rock cress), sweet alyssum
aubretia, ETC., he will promote new
growth, keep the plants from be-
coming leggy and in . few cases
like the sweet alyssum, secure &
second crop Of flowers.