CHAPTER XII

HERBACEOUS PLANTS, PÆONIES, PHLOXES, CHRYSANTHEMUMS, DELPHINIUMS, AND A SELECT LIST OF DESIRABLES.

“There is a lesson in each flower, A story in each stream and bower; On every herb on which you tread Are written words which, rightly read, Will lead you from earth’s fragrant sod, To hope, and holiness, and God.”

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 Pæonies, 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.

Virginalis, of the purest white.

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.

Pattsii, very rich, darkest purplish crimson.

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.

Augustine Lierval, white, pink center.

Chloris, vivid red.

Countess of Home, white, dark crimson center.

L’Orientale, amoranth, large flower, extra.

Madame Thaman, rich carmine, crimson center.

Madame d’Argent, rose colored, purple center.

Madame Henricq, velvety rose, carmine eye.

Mademoiselle Lemichez, white, scarlet center.

Monsieur Audry, very bright red.

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, and 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.

Boule d’Neige, large, pure white.

Captivation, light purple, splendid.

Erecta Superba, clear sulphur-yellow.

Lord Derby, deep purple, petals incurved.

Guernsey Nugget, light yellow.

Princess Teck, creamy white.

Prince Albert, crimson, red.

Queen of England, blush.

Mount Ætna, fiery crimson.

Princess of Wales, purest 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 rose.

_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.

Hollyhocks, very double flowers, all colors; July to October.

Lupinus polyphyllus, flowers of various colors, from pure white to the darkest purple; two to three feet; July.

Lychnis albo pleno, double, white; a foot and a half high; May and June.

Lychnis Chalcedonica pleno, double, scarlet; two to three feet; June and July.

Lychnis Haagena, all colors from white to scarlet.

Orobus vernus, reddish purple; one foot; April and May.

Papaver Orientale, brilliant scarlet flowers; three feet; June and July.

Penstemon grandiflora; there are many varieties from the Prairies; three feet; June.

Phalangium Liliago, flowers pure white, in loose spikes, elegant; two to three feet; July.

Saxifraga crassifolia, deep pink, in large clusters; six inches; blooms early in April.

Scutellaria Japonica, deep purplish blue; eight inches; July.

Lamium Maculatum album et Rubrum, flowers in short round spikes, red and white; June.

Zauschneria Californica, flowers of a bright scarlet, blossoms in July; hardy in middle States.

The varieties of the Funkia, or Day Lily, should not be omitted. The common variety is of a rare fragrance, and its flowers are produced in large clusters; only two or three of the pure white lilies opening at once. It is perfectly hardy in all climates. The variegated species has blueish-white flowers without the delicious odor of the white variety. Its leaves are prettily variegated, and are its chief attraction.