File:Dreer's garden book 1920 (1920) (20832805639).jpg

Title: Dreer's garden book 1920
Identifier: dreersgardenbook1920henr_0 (find matches)
Year: 1920 (1920s)
Authors: Henry A. Dreer (Firm); Henry G. Gilbert Nursery and Seed Trade Catalog Collection
Subjects: Seeds Catalogs; Nursery stock Catalogs; Gardening Equipment and supplies Catalogs; Flowers Seeds Catalogs; Vegetables Seeds Catalogs; Fruit Seeds Catalogs
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Henry A. Dreer
Contributing Library: U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Library
Digitizing Sponsor: U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Library

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A View in our Nuksery, where we grow Hardy Perennial Plants by the Acre OF all the plants that are cultivated for purely ornamental purposes there are none which have made such rapid strides in public favor as the Old-fashioned Hardy Garden Flowers, the inhabitants of the perennial garden. Their popularity is not at all surprising when we consider the many varied and pleasant changes which take place throughout the entire growing season in a well-arranged hardy border, in which every week—yes, every day—brings forth something fresh and new to interest and delight even the most critical. Beginning in April, the early-flowering varieties open their flowers often before the snow has entirely disappeared, and continue, with constant changing variety, throughout the summer until late in the fall, when only severe freezing weather will stop such persistent late-blooming kinds as Japanese Anemones, Pompon Chrysanthemums, Gaillardias, Gentians, Tritomas, etc. Twenty-five years ago there were very few Hardy Perennial Borders outside of some large establisments where one or more professional gardeners were employed, who were familiar with the beauties of the hardy borders as found in almost every garden on the other side of the Atlantic, and who knew how to plan, and plant, and care for them. But a great change has taken place in recent years, and there is now a steady and growing interest in this class of plants, and to-day almost everyone who is fortunate enough to have even a small garden devotes at least a part of it to hardy plants. THE MAKING AND CARE OF AN OLD-FASHIONED HARDY BORDER Frequent are the discussions and many are the ideas concerning their cultivation and the best method of arranging them in the garden. In arranging hardy flowers one should never forget the ways of Nature, choosing the flowers she uses in the positions she thinks most suitable, while endeavoring to conceal stiffness of arrangement by a careful study of her plans and the judicious use of the beautiful hardy plants at our disposal. Situation.—There is no class of plants which lend them- selves to such varied assortment of climatic or soil conditions, but the most effective position for Hardy Perennial plants in general is a good open border, backed by a hedge, a fence or trellis covered with Rambling Roses or any other hardy climb- ing vines, while some of the taller-growing sorts, such as Holly- hocks, Sunflowers, Rudbeckias, Boltonias, Bocconias, etc., are also very attractive when planted throughout a shrubbery bor- der, their showy flowers forming a bright contrast with the foliage of the shrubs throughout the summer and fall, when few of the latter are in bloom. Soil and Planting.—Cultivation is of the sjmplest, begin- ning with any good garden soil as a foundation, which may be enriched with such fertilizers as well-decomposed manure, bone- meal, or sheep manure deeply dug and well pulverized. The best time to plant hardy plants is just when they are emerging into life after their season's rest, when the weather is favorable and the soil iu condition, or they may be set out in the autumn. Above all things avoid wet planting. Do not make the com- mon mistake of overcrowding ; give each plant sufficient room to allow it to develop to its full size. The nearest approach to a rule which may be followed in planting being to set out plants which grow to a height of 2 feet or less 12 inches apart, and all others space equal to one-half their height when developed. For example, Aquilegias and Gypsophila, which grow 2 feet high, may be planted 12 inches apart, while Delphinium for- mosum and Japanese Iris, which grow 3 feet high, should be 18 inches apart. Care should also be taken to blend the colors throughout the garden, so as to prevent too many of one shade of color coming together, causing jarring contrasts. The season of flowering of the different types should also be taken into account, and the different plants as evenly dispersed as possible in order to maintain an equality of flowering plants, leaving no portion of the garden bare or flowerless, nor crowding together too many that bloom at the same time. This article is continued on next page (161)

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