Evening star., 1940-06-15


plans to remedy them. This shows
that no matter how carefully
planned bed may be, there is al
ways room for improvement. This
is not meant to be discouraging in
any way, but to show that gardening
Is not cut-and-dried affair. Plant
breeders and nurserymen are con-
stantly putting new plant materials
at our disposal. We find things that
are more to our liking than those
we have. Some plants outgroW
their places and must be replaced.
Surprises Are
Often Seen.
A 4-foot plant in the catalog may
turn out to be a 3-footer in your
garden. In ready-made borders we
often find some of the suggested
plants unsatisfactory for our par
ticular situation, The tall stately
spires of blue delphiniums that are
so glowingly described turn out to be
miserable, sickly specimens Is to l8
inches high. The phlox that was
supposed to furnish color in July
and August, lacking air circulation,
mildewed and died.
Perennial borders are so endless
In their possibilities that they must
of necessity be an expression of in
dividuality. If you are fond Of
whites and pinks then make your
border of those cciors. Perhaps you
have bit of Spanish blood, and
want bright reds, yelloWs and blues.
Or. you have heard of the cooling
effect of blue garden. The color
combinations possible are endless,
although some gardeners seem to be
satisfied just so long as they have
flowers.
Perhaps some of the difficulty in
having a successful border is due
to attempts to grow lime loving
and acid-loving plants in the same
border. 1t can be done, but one
must use care. Lime does not spread
appreciably laterally. and where the
plants are not set too closely it is
possible to mix them in a border.
1t is better, however, if the border
is divided into sections, part care
fully lined while the other kept
acid.
Similarly we often find difficulty
arising from an attempt to grow
shade-loving plants in the sun,
more often, however it is usually
the reverse-attempting to grow
sun-loving plants in the shade. This
is seldom successfully done.
The use of foliage plants to lend
distance, or to soften and blend
colors is desirable practice. The
artemisias and herbs are often so
used with very good effect. Vari-
alton in foliage lends interest to a
garden Then, too, it is better to
use several plants in one place tc
give mass or striking effect. and
as individuals or in smaller groups
elsewhere for contrast.
White flowers are often needed
to blend as we'll as to accentuate
colors, A white (blue- -white) iris
helps to make dainty pink iris
appear deeper in shade, while red
one would make 1t paler.
Height Variation
Is Needed.
Oftentimes perennial border
lacks sufficient variation in height,
especially in the spring, for best
effects. The use of tall columbine
tif not too dry and sunny will
help, as well as the tall anchusa,
poppies and iris. Hardy aSters, fox
gloves, daylilies, gayfeathers, NAL
lows. hollyhocks, etc. can be used to
give height in midsummer and fall.
LoW-growing plants for the fore
ground are more of a problem in
summer and fall than are the
taller flowers.
Many dwarf perennial edglngs
are spring ',loomers, although the
dwarf Plantain lilies, asters and
pinks are useful exceptions. Dwarf
growing ANIMALS may be used for
this purpose in a sunny border,
The dwarf zinniaS, snapdragons
sweet alyssum, calliopsis, compact
gaillardia, and verbenas are few
suggestions.
Annuals may also be effectively
used to follow daffodils, tulips
hyacinths, and the Oriental poppies
These, however, should be some
what taller growing, such as the
intermediate snapdragons, calen-
dulas and stocks for fall flowers
wilt-resisting varieties Of China
asters, marigolds, and zinnias.
Critically survey your perennial
border throughout the season. Make
notes of its shortcomings. Look
for desirable plants to correct the
faults. Then when planting time
comes you will know exactly what te
plant and where. Do this each
season, and your perennial border
will grow toward that glorious
stage of perfection that is the goa
of every gardener. A season-lone
parade of colors, interesting effects