HERBACEOUS BORDERS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 15, 19 January 1933, Page 16

HERBACEOUS BORDERS

PROLONGING THE FLOWERJNGSEASON ■

The importance of removing dead flowersrand seed pods, also old flowering sfcemsi from the warious perennial 'plants 'has been pointed out frequently. This not only-adds to the tidiness of the beds, but -\ has a definite effect in prolonging the flowering season of many plants. Early flowering .- herbaceous plants such as anchusa, delphinium, lupins, etc., are much better for having their old' flower stems "cut -away. These .should/ be cut down- in such a way; as to leave sufficient 'foliage hear the base so that unsightly gaps are not left _in the borders. The result of cutting-back—given a fairly moist season-r-is to cause the plants to; bloom

again during late sumjner and autumn. Borders of well-established herbaceous plants are in full vigour, and -will be in danger of growing .into a dense tangle. This must be avoided, even if parts of the spreading plants have to be sacrificed. Each plant should be kept to its proper'limits, and care must be taken that the stronger ones do not crowd, out the weaker ones. Correct and early staking helps to prevent injury and confusion. Where stakingj was attended to earlier it may be necessary to add another tie toward the top of, the stakes, especially,in the.case of dahlias, Michaelmas daisies,, rudbechiasand n heleniums.; It is worth remembering that with phloxes and Michaelmas daisies, and probably with most of this class ; of plants, better rer suits will be obtained if the growths are reduced in number. All weak growths.should be removed, those remaining being as evenly spaced as possible. ' ■ .