CHAPTER XII HERBACEOUS PLANTS, PEONIES, PHLOXES, CHRYSANTHEMUMS, DELPHINIUMS, AND A SELECT LIST OF DESIRABLES. "There is a lesson in each flower, Are written words which, rightly read, Herbaceous Plants are Perennials, which die down to the roots every winter, but in the spring, send up fresh stems and blossoms from the roots, thereby furnishing the easiest means of adorning a garden. They require but very little care, as the most of them are hardy, while others require a slight protection. The soil should be kept in good order, free from weeds, and a yearly dressing of good compost will make them bloom luxuriantly, and some species are so vigorous that they will continue to bloom annually, even in a neglected grass sod. Many of them bloom early in the season, as soon as the Snowdrop. Crocus and Hyacinth have passed away; and by a judicious selection, a profuse and gorgeous supply of flowers may be obtained from a bed of these plants, until the garden is brilliant with the brightly tinted Annuals, etc. A list of the most desirable of these plants will be given, with their time of flowering; but I must first call your attention to the Herbaceous Peonies, which form a large family of most beautiful flowers, some of which are indispensable in the smallest collection of plants. Herbaceous Pæonies. The common red Pæony, or, as it is usually called in the old-fashioned parlance among those of an older generation, Piny, used to grow in every country garden; its large and brilliant red flowers rendering it very conspicuous, and delighting all lovers of gorgeous colorings. Well do I remember the furore caused among amateur florists by the introduction of a white Pæony, and every one must have a root of it, to contrast with their fiery-red flowers. Then the fragrant pink variety was introduced and much admired; and for many years no other novelty appeared in their ranks; but the English and French florists were busily engaged in cultivating these flowers, and now over one hundred varieties are given in the catalogues, and described as distinct in shape, hue, time of flowering, etc. The Pæony is very showy when planted by itself, yet when grown en masse, the effect is truly magnificent. The darkest shades should be arranged in the center of the bed, and the colors shaded out to pure white; thus planted, a beautiful show can be obtained. Alba Plenaia, very double flower, white. Whitleyi, older variety, very fragrant, white with yellow center. Baron Rothschild, flower large, pale rose. Queen Victoria, rose color. Amabilis, outer petals rose color, and the inner a delicate, creamy white. Festiva, white, shaded to carmine red in the center. Albicans Plena, rosy pink, and blooms early and late Maiden's Blush, fine and large, bright pink. Duchesse d'Orleans, outside petals violet-rose, and deep salmon buff at the center. Pomponia, of a purplish pink, with salmon colored center Duchesse de Nemours, rosy lilac. Tenuifolia, funnel-shaped leaves, flowers deep crimson Pompadoura, dark crimson, inner petals delicately cut. Rubra Striata, richest rosy crimson. The Moutan or Tree Pæonies are very beautiful; they are perfectly hardy, excepting in northern New England, where, to bloom in perfection, they should be covered with a barrel filled with leaves. They do not die down to the roots every winter, and are more properly called shrubs. Phloxes. The beauty of these Herbaceous Plants is not fully appreciated. They are perfectly hardy, and their brilliant clusters of flowers, comprising all colors from white to crimson and purple, striped and mottled, have few superiors among hardy plants. They will thrive in almost any soil, but enjoy fresh loam, and new quarters every two or three years. They increase rapidly from the roots, will also grow easily from cuttings or layers. Select list of varieties: Albert Cameron, large white flower, with carmine eye. Alexandrine Bellet de Varenne, carmine, with scarlet center. Chloris, vivid red. Countess of Home, white, dark crimson center. Roi Leopold, striped rose and white, very showy. Raphael, rose, crimson eye. White Lady, new, pure white, with clusters of flowers six inches in diameter. Surpasse Marie Belanger, large, white, purple eye. Chrysanthemums. These come into bloom so late in the season that they are frequently called the "Christmas flower"; and, as they fill a place occupied by no other flower, should therefore be cultivated in every garden. They are most easily propagated from cuttings, taken in August, or from the shoots sent up from the roots after blooming. They are very hardy excepting at the extreme north, ard can be wintered there under sods. Good specimens should have but one stem, with short, thick-set branches, which may be made to grow by pinching off the end shoots, thus encouraging the side branches. They grow very vigorously in a rich light soil. There are three varieties or species; the large flowered, most suitable for out-door culture; the dwarf or Pompone, which blooms beautifully, in-doors, and their different colors will form a choice bouquet; and the Japan Chrysanthemums. All of these species are beautiful objects in the open garden in November and December. Large flowering varieties: Boule d'Or, fine, large, golden yellow. Princess Teck, creamy white. Temple of Solomon, golden yellow. Pompone or Liliputian Chrysanthemums. Acton, golden yellow. Countesse de Mons, pale rose. Iris, white tipped with rose. Sinbad, light crimson. Mad. De Soulangis, pure rose. Trevenna, purest white. Roi de Liliput, maroon. Theresita, fine, lilac. Ragozza, yellow, tipped with ros, Japan Chrysanthemums. These flowers are novelties, from Japan-with tasselled or quilled flowers. Laciniatus, is creamy white, fine for bouquets and vases. Mons. Bonnet, amber, fine large flowers. These plants are of an elegant appearance, and by pinching off the first flower buds, can be made to bloom in January and February. Delphiniums, or Hardy Perennial Larkspurs, Are among the finest of this class of plants, and if the seed-pods are cut off, will continue in flower from July to November. They will also flower the first year if sown early in hot-bed, and are very desirable for late blooming. They grow readily from seed or from the increase of the root. The shades of blue are unsurpassed by any other flower of similar color. Delphinium Formosum is of the brightest blue with a white center. D. Mons. Neuner, pale blue. D. Chinensi Pumilum, azure blue. D. Alba, paper white. D. Belladonna, finest sky blue. A list of Herbaceous Plants that will give a succession of flowers. Achillea Millefolium Rubrum, deep red, one foot high, blooms from June to September. Achillea Ptarmica Plena, pure white double flowers, in bloom from July to October. Aconitum Napellus (Monkshood), dark blue; four to six feet; June to August. Aconitum Versicolor, variegated, blue and white; three to five feet; July to August. Arabis Alpina, pure white flowers, eight inches; May. Asclepias tuberosa, orange colored flowers; two feet; July. Amsonia salicifolia, lavender blue, in clusters; three feet; June. Anemone Japonica, purplish rose; eighteen inches; September. Aquilegia jocunda (Columbine), dark blue, white center; two feet; June. Aquilegia striata, striped, blue and white. Aquilegia Sibirica, dark bluish-black flowers, very double; one foot; June. Baptisia cerulea, brightest blue; two feet; June. Baptisia alba, flowers pure white; two feet; June. Bocconia cordata, very showy, large foliage, spikes of whitish flowers; six to eight feet; July. Callirrhoe involucrata, trailing plant with bright crimson flowers; June. |