CHAPTER VIII

HARDY HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS

As the glowing colours to a beautiful picture, so are the flowers to our gardens. In many books written on garden design, we find no mention whatever of the best kinds of plants, wherewith to fill the beds and borders when they are made. Surely this is a mistake, for our object in making a garden is to provide a home for flowers and trees. Were an artist attempting to instruct us in the making of a picture, he would not stop when he had completed the rough sketch in charcoal. The most important work has yet to come. The filling in of the colours, the harmonising of the various shades, and the final touches which proclaim the good or bad workman, are points over which the novice is likely to stumble. A faulty, ill-balanced plan will to a certain extent ruin the appearance of our garden for all time; but Nature is kind, and the flowers which spring luxuriantly from the earth will by degrees help to hide many crudities. But this fact must not be abused, as is frequently the case with the careless worker. How often it is said in effect “Oh, of course the garden does not look nice yet, but wait until the things have grown, so as to hide the ugly corners.” It is the designer’s duty to see that there are no “ugly corners,” and there ought to be beauty, because so full of promise, in the bare outlines of paths, beds and lawns—the charcoal sketch of the picture. The best effects are generally obtained by boldly defined colour masses, providing of course that these are arranged so as to harmonise well with each other. The choicest flowers are of very little use if they are jumbled heedlessly together; tall and dwarf reds, blues, whites and yellows heterogeneously mixed. In suggesting suitable subjects for beds and borders, I have endeavoured to arrange the plants in sections, according to colour, at the same time giving a rough idea as to the height, which under ordinary circumstances each will attain. The list makes no pretensions whatever to completeness, the object being rather to suggest a few really desirable subjects, many of which are too seldom seen in our gardens.

HARDY BORDER PLANTS WITH WHITE FLOWERS

_Lupins._—Extremely valuable plants for the back of the border, free flowering, and with handsome foliage.

_Chrysanthemum Maximum._—A daisy-like flower, useful for cutting. When established it forms bold, handsome clumps.

_Asters_, Michælmas Daisies or Starworts.—One of the best of these is A. Harpur Crewe; _multiflorus_ with small flowers is also desirable.

_Delphiniums_, Larkspurs.—Well-known hardy perennials. They are of easy culture, bloom profusely over an extended period, and the hybrid varieties are especially lovely.

_Eremurus._—These stately flowers are comparatively little known, and the belief that they are difficult to grow is much exaggerated. Provided that a warm sheltered situation can be given, and that adequate protection against severe frost is supplied, their culture is quite simple. _E. himalaicus_ is one of the hardiest of the group, the flowers are produced in a dense raceme often 2 feet long, and individually are of considerable size. A delightful border plant.

The height of the above may be taken roughly at six feet.

_Anemone Japonica Alba._—The well-known autumn blooming anemone, which yields quantities of flowers for cutting. Honorine Jobert is a particularly handsome variety.

_Pæonies._—These are undoubtedly the flowers of the moment, and out of the great number of varieties catalogued, the only difficulty lies in the selection of a few for our needs.

_Campanulas._—The Peach-leaved Bellflower (_C. persicaefolia_ _alba grandiflora_) is a handsome border plant with cup-shaped flowers. Its blooming period is July.

_Achillea Ptarmica._—Sneezewort. A free growing plant, producing numerous small flowers, useful for cutting.

_Acanthus Mollis._—A stately perennial, which is worth growing if only for its handsomely serrated foliage. It requires a warm, well-drained soil.

_Phloxes._—Both classes of perennial phloxes, the summer and autumn flowering varieties, should be included wherever space can be found for them. Among the former, which come into bloom during June and July, Mrs Forbes is to be recommended; in the latter class, flowering from July to October, few are more desirable than Avalanche.

The above range in height from 2 to 4 ft., and are suitable for the middle line of the border.

_Iberis._—Candytuft. A suitable plant for use on the margin of the mixed border. The variety _correaefolia_ is the best, flowering later than the ordinary kinds. _Sempervirens_ is also useful.

_Saxifraga._—Rockfoils. Though these plants are generally considered more as alpines than border subjects, they are well adapted for the latter purpose. The beautiful fresh coloured tufts of foliage, and the myriad blossoms gracefully produced, render them especially noteworthy. The variety _camposii_ is pretty.

_Pinks._—These are too well-known to need comment. In the section of the border devoted to white flowers, a variety, like Her Majesty, can ill be spared.

_Dwarf Phlox._—The clustering blossoms of these charming plants show to advantage in the front of the border. The _alba_ variety of the well-known _P. Subulata_, and _P. Nelsonii_ are both good whites.

These are all under a foot in height, and make a pleasant foreground for the nobler plants behind them.

White flowers require to be used sparingly, as constant repetition wearies the eye. Though generally regarded as a positive colour, there are various shades, and it is best to include cream tinted flowers in the same section, using the hardest whites to give the effect of a high light.

PLANTS WITH YELLOW FLOWERS

_Heleniums._—Few plants are better adapted for giving quantities of cut bloom. Either _H. autumnale_ or the improved variety _superbum_, which is a noble flower, should be grown. August to October.

_Helianthus._—A beautiful race of showy flowers. The _rigidus_ variety Miss Mellish, and Soleil d’Or in the _decapetalus_ section, are both worthy of a place; also _giganteus_ with flowers of a paler colour.

_Bocconia Cordata._—Plume Poppy. A good foliage plant.

_Rudbeckia._—Coneflower. Late summer and autumn flowering plants. _R. laciniata_, Golden Glow is one of the best, the flowers being produced on slender stalks in great profusion.

_Verbascum._—Mullein. Stately plants, attaining, when well grown, a height of 10 ft. _V. Chaixi, syn. V. vernale_, is a true perennial, which is not the case with several members of the same family.

All attain a height of 6 feet or over.

_Oenothera._—Evening Primrose. Several varieties, in spite of their name, bloom during the day. The Sundrops (_Oe. fruticosa_) with richly coloured flowers, and strong, shrubby habit look charming in the mixed border.

_Coreopsis Grandiflora._—The finest of all the Tickseeds, with beautiful flowers on long stems. Especially adapted for cutting. This should be grown in every garden.

_Doronicum Plantagineum Excelsum._—Leopard’s Bane. During the early spring and summer months, this is one of the gayest plants in the garden. _D. Harpur Crewe_ is the best.

_Lilium Testaceum._—Nankeen Lily. This beautiful lily resembles the well-known Madonna in habit, but the delicate apricot blooms, which are fragrant, make it a welcome addition to the section embracing yellow flowers. A good lily for town gardens.

_Anthemis Tinctoria._—Camomile. Generally called the Sulphur Marguerite. A dainty flower, unequalled for cutting. On good soil it grows very free and bushy.

_Hemerocallis._—Day Lilies. These are delicately scented, and the foliage of a well grown clump affords a welcome break in the border. _H. flava_ is the best known.

Any of the above would be suitable as intermediates between the tall growing plants at the back and the dwarf subjects in front, of which the following are desirable.

_Alyssum._—_A. saxatile_, Gold Dust, as its name suggests, produces myriads of golden blossoms. It flowers in spring and succeeds best in an open, sunny position.

_Cheiranthus Alpinus._—Alpine Wallflower. A dwarf plant, very suitable for edging.

[Illustration: HERBACEOUS GROUPING]

_Linum Flavum._—Yellow Flax. A hardy little plant with gaily-coloured blossoms.

_Œnothera Macrocarpa._—A dwarf evening Primrose with trailing stems on which the large flowers are freely produced. It is perhaps better known as _Oe._ _missouriensis._

The majority of the above flowers are pure yellow in colour. Variety would of course be given by including others varying from deep orange to pale sulphur. An extended list is impossible in the limited space, the object being to suggest a few flowers in the principal colours; however, there will be no difficulty in finding others equally suitable.

PLANTS WITH BLUE FLOWERS

_Aconitum._—Monk’s Hood. Well-known, old-fashioned perennials, with poisonous roots. Among the best for this section are _A. chinense_ and _A. Napellus_, the former continuing in bloom until the end of September.

_Delphiniums._

_Eryngium._—Sea Holly. These strong growing plants, with their beautiful steel-blue stems and foliage, should be in every collection. The flower heads can be dried and used for winter decoration. _E. Oliverianum._

_Scabiosa Caucasica._—On any but very cold soils this is a true perennial. The flowers are abundantly produced on long stalks, and are useful for cutting.

_Polemonium Cæruleum._—Jacob’s Ladder. An old-fashioned plant, worthy of inclusion in modern gardens. It blooms from early June to September.

_Catanache Cærulea._—Blue Cupidone. An easily grown, free flowering plant. The colour is especially pleasing.

_Centaurea._—Knapweed. One of the best of this family is _C. montana_, a variety with cottony leaves, and a profusion of flowers not unlike the blue Cornflower.

_Iris Pallida._—Great Purple Flag. The stately, swordlike leaves rising in sheaves amid the border plants are most welcome, and the rich velvety colouring of the quaint flowers must appeal to all. The variety _Mandraliscæ_ should also be grown.

The following are dwarf growing subjects:—

_Veronica._—Speedwell. Among the varieties having flowers of a true blue shade are _dentata_ and _incana_, the latter with pretty silvery foliage. _V. prostrata_ is a free bloomer of dwarf, spreading habit.

_Gentiana Acaulis._—Gentianella. One of the most beautiful blue flowers we have.

_Statice._—Sea Lavender. The small flowers borne on wiry stems may be cut and used for winter decoration. _S. latifolia_ is the finest of the genus.

_Ajuga Osnafera._—Bugle. These plants bear close spikes of small flowers, and the effect, when boldly grouped, is decidedly pleasing.

_Anemone Angulosa._—Great Hepatica. A larger flower than the Common Hepatica; it does best in partial shade.

The scarcity of really good blue flowers is known to every gardener who has made a special study of colour effect. Certainly the range is limited, but we are apt to be somewhat conservative in our choice, and many desirable plants which are now seldom seen might be included with advantage.

PLANTS WITH FLOWERS IN SHADES OF RED.

_Kniphofia._—Torch Lilies. The old Torch Lily of the cottage gardens has been superseded by some of the new hybrids. One of the finest of the group is _K. Burchelli_, with purple spotted stem. _K. nobilis_ is another beautiful variety. Except in quite sheltered situations _Kniphofias_ should be protected with a covering of ashes or dry litter during winter.

_Lilium Chalcedonicum._—One of the hardiest of the lily tribe. The colour is exceedingly rich, and the effect of the clustering flowers on the tall stems is remarkably handsome.

_Papaver Orientale._—Oriental Poppies. Too well-known to need comment. They should be in every herbaceous border.

_Lychnis._—Another old-fashioned flower, giving glowing spikes of colour. In a rich sandy loam it attains a large size.

_Monarda Didyma._—Bergamot. An easily grown plant, with flowers produced in whorls.

_Tritonia syn. Montbretia._ In addition to _crocosmiflora_ which is generally grown, such kinds as _Etoile de Feu_, and _Phare_ should be included. The whole group is very charming, resembling as they do miniature _gladioli._

_Gladiolus Brenchleyensis_, and hybrids, of which there are innumerable varieties, should be found in every garden.

For the front of the border the following are valuable.

_Mimulus Cardinalis._—Monkey Flower. This showy plant does best on a moist border, and should not be planted if the situation is dry and parched.

_Lychnis Viscaria._—German Catchfly. The variety _splendens_ is the best, as being brighter in colour than the type.

_Dianthus Barbatus._—Sweet Williams.

_Agrostemma._—Rose Campion. Well-known hardy plants, suitable for the border. The best variety is _A._ _Walkeri_, with compact flowers of great depth and richness.

The above lists do not include plants with flowers in shades of pink, mauve, rose, purple, violet and other elusive hues. These, however, must be used in conjunction with the more pronounced colours to produce the best effects. In order to avoid discord, red flowers should not be grouped near those in shades of blue, purple or lilac. The warm colours are easily arranged, and beginning with pink, may pass to rose, crimson and finally scarlet. Following these comes a procession of yellows, from orange to pale sulphur, when an opportunity occurs for introducing flowers in shades of mauve, lilac and violet. Blues are best approached by pale yellows and creamy whites. However no absolute rules can be given, the matter being one for the exercise of good taste and an eye for colour.