PERENNIAL HERBACEOUS PLANTS

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 203, 31 May 1878, Page 7

PERENNIAL HERBACEOUS PLANTS

The Rural Gentleman in an articli- ' upon this subject, but in which is given some plants not strictly perennial, says of plants, the seed of which being so\vn they will bloom the second and each succeeding year as long as the plant should live. Of all plants in cultivation they are the least trouble to take care of, as they die down in the fall, some within the ground, and others to its surface, and are readily increased by dividing the roots and transplanting in spring. Besides, some will bloom for a long time before bedding or soft-wooded ones can be put out; others till the frost cuts them down,, which makes them more desirable, and they should be more generally cultivated, for where a fine collection is grown, and with the annuals and others that are. put out for* summer flowering, they make a fine display. Great improvements have been made of late years in the perennial lists of plants, hy the hybridising and raising of new varieties, which are growing in great demand. Being ho necessity to take them up through tho winter, but leaving them in the open ground without protection, then froni spring till fall having some always in bloom, and lasting for years with so little trouble, must bring them into notice by lovers of flowers, especially, if they bave room to plant them. And for backgrounds the improved holly* hocks (most equal to a camelia) are fine ; they make a nice show with phlox, penstemons, lychnis, campanulas, lobelias, carnations, the different diarithus, polyanthus, daisies, chrysanthemums, antirrhinum., silenes, peonies, and numerous others that could ba mentioned. These would be a more preferable acquisition than so many trashy annuals that are not worth sowing. In addition to those alrpady mentioned, the Japan lily, gladiolius, tuberose, and ferrarias, are very fine) and should be cultivated. An English writer remarks that there _are two golden rules to be observed in propagating coniferous trees, and they are easily remembered: — 1. Cuttings should be made when tbe growth is only partially ripened as they will then root quickly, and (2) seeds should he sown as soon as they are obtained, especially when they are imported." Practically, cuttings of many conifers may he grown at any season, especially arbor vitaes, cypresses, etc., but ■ ■ the above plan is almost imperative with some species that are increased with difficulty. Cuttings should always he small and carefully prepared ; remove n few of the lowest leaves, then dibble in a pot half filled with crocks, and the rest clipped moss or peat, with two inches of silver-sand on tbe top. Shut up close and keep moderately moist till rooted. Two much moisture will cause them to rot, and too little will make them shrivel. Seeds freshly, removed from cones are much more likely to grow than those which have been separated for some time. Sow in pots of loam, well drained, and place in a cold frame. As soon as onions show signs of completing growth they should at once' be pulled up, or they will commence to make fresh roots, which injures their keeping properties They are all the bettpr for heing dried quickly ; where a, moderate quantity only is grown that t oan be .dealt with in this way, the old method of spreading them thinly :on\. a > slate or tile roof has the «dvantaere. that if much wet weather should folJow-ij-U mediately unon their being drawhY they" are not so liable to root afresh as if Jaid on the bed to dry. ;• or. the si mpj«v plan.' may be followed of tying Wbem-'-iti ■ bnnohps of pighc they are pulled, and l han^h^t^emyuj^ „n on the ou tside «'■• f U of : " ; -A f Vn i 'H i ;Y_r ' l f_H*T Y * *? •'. has an overhanging eave> sufficient- -.-.to ',;';■ throw: off the ram. Y r he sonrli^ide^s^ho ' 'Yfi best for kee,ping;them as there they have uot'tfie ßrsjWs^ioa'Y : to grow so early. ; ■'. yAyyA-XX