Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-05-18


horticulturists have emphasized
the Importance of several depend
able perennials for the home gar
dener. Horticulturists of Northern
States mention the hardy garden
phlox as one of the important
useful summer boomers. All men,
ton the tall-bearded iris. Chrys-
anthemumS, of course. are a
universal choice for good fall
boomers. The others mention
peonies and daylilies.
In the Washington area we en-
JOY and use iris, daylilies. peonies
and chrysanthemums freely. How
ever, the hardy garden phlox are
not always dependable because of
rust and other diseases. With the
exception of the subtraction n.y.
INDEPENDENTLY Miss Lingaard,
they are neither long-lived or easy
to keep in good condition.
There are many perennials to
choose from, and all have desir-
able characteristics which make
them acceptable. But those men,
toned are so outstanding that they
belong in most sunny gardens.
The daylillies. and there are
hundred of varieties to choose from.
are usually neglected. If they
were better known, more gardens
would have them. The season of
bloom of an individual variety is
not particularly long, but by a
selection of varieties bloom may
be had from late May until early
September.
They are relatively free from in
sect and disease troubles. This is
a deSirble characteristic for those
who dislike spraying or busting.
Moreover. the daylilies are toler-
ant Of soil and moisture condi-
tions, although they do much bet
ter in a reasonably well prepared
soil.
The plants may be purchased in
the early spring or early fall.
They should be planted 2 to 4 feet
apart, depending on the variety.
Daylilies are available in various
shades Of yellow. There also are
the reds. but pink is not yet be-
ing offered.
Peony Well Adapted.
The second perennial that seems
to be well adapted to the Wash
ington area is the peony. although
the specialists say this is close to
the southern limit of their cult
walton. The early varieties usually
give the best results. The blooms
of the midseason and late flower
ing ones sometimes may fail to
open during periods of hot. muggy
weather. Other than this limita-
ton, we may grow them with as
surance of satisfactory bloom.
Perhaps we should pay more at
tention to the singles and the
japanese, rather than to concen-
trate on the heavy headed. Chi
nese varieties. Some of the early
Towering species also are good.
such as oficinaliS and tenuifolia,
which are early boomers and are
not so large or heavy headed as
the Chinese.
Peoples are not often troubled
by insects or diseases. They do,
however, insist on being planted
at the right depth in a soil that
is not logged. The crown
should be planted not less than
one inch or more than two inches
below the surface of the ground
after settling. Too deep a plant
ing usually results in foliage with
out bloom. Also, peonies do not
thrive in shade or in competition
with tree roots. Space peonies at
least four feet apart so they will
have ample space in which to
spread. Late August or Septem-
Der is the recommended planting
time. Peonies flower in May or
early June.
Iris a FavOrite.
The snowy rainbow flower, the
tall bearded iris. is a favorite
of many at this season of the
year. Although they follow the
dwarfs and intermediates, which
no not compare in size or range
of colors, most gardeners prefer
to rely on the tall snowy iris
to the exclusion of the others. If
bloom is the objective, we should
use some Of the dwarf iris for
edgings or for spaces requiring
low growing plants. They will
bloom in April. The intermedi-
ates, a cross between the dwarfs
and the tall-bearded, continue
the blooming season into May
when the tall boomers take over.
The three types of iris thus pro-
vide color for the garden from
April until June.
Iris are relatively tolerant of
soils and moisture conditions, al
though they will not thrive if the
rhlzome is in wet soils. This is
easily taken care of by planting
them on a slight ridge or in a
raised bed. They are vigorous