FOOTNOTES:

NameColorHeightSowIndoorsSowOutdoorsGood forPlaceBloomingSeasonAgeratum (Ageratum conyzoides)BlueWhite8 in.MarchMayEdgingSunJuneto frostAlyssum, SweetWhite4to 8 in.MarchAprilto Sept.EdgingSunJuneto frostAntirrhinum, see SnapdragonAster, China (Callistephus hortensis)WhitePinkViolet18to 24 in.MarchApril, MayBedSunAug.to Sept.Baby's Breath (Gypsophila)White1to 2 ft.AprilBorderSunMay (sow again)Bachelor's Buttons, see CornflowerBalsam (Impatiens balsamina)WhiteRedYellow1to 2 ft.MarchAprilMayBorderBedSunJulyto Oct.California Poppy (Eschscholtzia Californica)YellowWhiteOrange12 in.April(sow insuccession)EdgingSunJuneto frostCandytuft (Iberis)WhitePinkRed6to 8 in.April, andevery twoweeks afterEdgingSunJuneto frostCastor-oil Bean (Ricinus)3to 8 ft.AprilTropical effectsSunUntil frostChina Aster, see Aster[A]Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)Yellow1to 3 ft.AprilBorderBedSunJuneto Oct.Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)Blue1to 2 ft.AprilBorderBedSunJuneto frostCosmosWhitePinkCrimson4to 8 ft.MarchAprilBack of borderSunJulyto frostCypress Vine (Ipomœa quamoclit)RedWhite10to 20 ft.AprilMayScreenSunJune, JulyEschscholtzia, see California Poppy[B]Forget-me-not (Myosotis)Blue6to 18 in.Aprilto JulyBedHalf ShadeAprilto fallFloss Flower, see AgeratumGilliflower, see Ten Weeks' StockGodetiaWhiteRed1to 2 ft.MarchMayBorderBedShade or sunJulyto Oct.Gypsophila, see Baby's BreathHyacinth Bean (Dolichos)PurpleWhite10to 20 ft.MayScreenSunJulyto frostLady's Slipper, see BalsamLarkspur, Annual (Delphinium)WhitePinkBlue1to 3 ft.AprilBorderBedSunJulyto frostLobelia (Lobelia erinus)Blue6to 12 in.MarchMayEdgingSunJuneto Nov.Lupin (Lupinus)Most shades2 ft.Successive sowingFrom May onBorderBedPartial shadeFrom June onMarigold, African (Tagetes erecta)Yellow2 ft.MarchMayBorderBedSunAug.to frostMignonette (Reseda odorata)WhiteRedYellow1 ft.April and JulyBorderBedSunJuneto Oct.Morning-glory (Convolvulus)WhitePinkPurple10to 20 ft.AprilVineSunJulyto frostMyosotis, see Forget-me-notNasturtium (Tropæolum)Yellowto reds1to 10 ft.April MayClimberDwarfSunJulyto frostNicotiana, seeTobacco Plant[A]Pansy (Viola tricolor)No red6to 12 in.Feb.April MayBedHalf shadeMayto Oct.Petunia (Petunia hybrida)WhitetoMagenta1to 2 ft.On surfacein MayBorderBedSunJuneto frostPhlox, Annual(Phlox Drummondi)WhitePinkRed1 ft.MarchMayBorderBedSunJuneto frost[B]Pink, Chinese (Dianthus Chinensis)WhitePinkRose1 ft.Feb.March AprilBorderBedSunAllsummerPoppy, Shirley (Papaver rhæas)WhitePinkRed1to 2 ft.March, AprilLater forsuccessionBedSunJuneto Oct.Portulaca (Portulaca grandiflora)No blue6to 9 in.May 1stCarpetingIn dry, sunny positionAll summerRose Moss, see PortulacaSage, Blue or Scarlet, see Salvia[A]SalviaWhiteBlueScarlet3 ft.MarchMayBorderBedSunJulyto frostScarlet Runner BeanRed12 ft.AprilClimberSunJulyto frost[A]Snapdragon (Antirrhinum)No blue1to 3 ft.MarchMayBorderBedSunJulyto frostStock, Ten Weeks' (Matthiola incana)WhitePinkPurple1to 2 ft.MarchMayBorderBedSunJulyto frostSunflower (Helianthus annus)Yellow3to 12 ft.AprilBack of bedSunJulyto frostSun Plant, see PortulacaSweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus)All Colors3to 6 ft.MarchBack of border vinesSunJulyto Oct.[B]Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus)WhitePinkRed12to 18 in.AprilBorderBedSunJulyto Oct.Tobacco Plant (Nicotiana)WhitePinkRedPurple2to 5 ft.MayBorderSunJulyto Oct.VerbenaNoBlue1 ft.MarchMayBorderBedSunJuneto Oct.Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)Yellowto reds1to 2 ft.MarchMayBorderBedSunJuneto Oct.

FOOTNOTES:[A]A tender perennial, flowering the first year from seed sown early.[B]A biennial, flowering the first year from seed sown early.

[A]A tender perennial, flowering the first year from seed sown early.

[B]A biennial, flowering the first year from seed sown early.

Flowers that Live Through Two Years

In all places then, and in all seasons,Flowers expand their light and soul-like wings,Teaching us by most persuasive reasons,How akin they are to human things.—Longfellow.

Betweenthe flowers that we have to plant every year,—the annuals,—and those that after once being started continue to greet us summer after summer,—the perennials,—comes a little group of old favorites that has to be planted one summer (and then generally protected from the cold), in order to bring them to their full beauty the second year. And as few of them self-sow, it is necessary to plant and carry over every season.

The biennial seeds are best sown in the seed nursery, where they can be watched and protected. In the late summer the young plants will be big and strong enough to set out in the border, although you must give them a light covering of leaves and litter. The seeds started in July and August, however, better be left protected in the nursery and moved in the early spring.

The dainty blue forget-me-not, or myosotis, is one of the best loved of this class. Some varieties are hardy, and often found growing wild. It generally does best in a damp, partly shaded location. It grows from 6 to 18 inches high, according to the different kinds, which blossom most of the summer. The seeds of biennials seldom produce flowers the first summer, but several—and among them the myosotis,—after being grown a few years in the same spot, come up like perennials, on account of sowing themselves.

The foxglove is another of the few biennials that are hardy, and it also likes a cool, shady spot. If the plants come up thickly, transplant part of them to any well-prepared, rich ground, and keep moist and well cultivated until the middle of September, when you should move them again to their permanenthome. Foxgloves, like forget-me-nots, sow themselves, and the little plants coming up this way should be transplanted and given plenty of room to grow and become strong before their time to bloom. Do not forget to cover during the winter!

English daisies (which are tender perennials), and pansies (which generally are grown as annuals), can both be started in the seed nursery in August, thinned out and protected before cold weather sets in, and then moved to where you wish them to bloom, in the early spring.

Canterbury bells do best when the seed is sown the middle of April in ground that is rich, well prepared, moist, and partly shady. The middle of July move to a temporary place, and set the plants 6 to 8 inches apart. Then early in October transplant to where you want them to blossom the next season. But before the frost comes, protect these tender little plants with some old berry boxes, then straw or leaves over the top, and in the spring work a small quantity of fertilizer around the roots. Tie the stalks as they begin to get tall, to stout stakes, to prevent their being blown over by storms: and if you will keep cutting off the old flowers so they will not go to seed, you can coax your plants tobloom an extra month or six weeks. Properly treated, they will last from July to the middle of September. But to enjoy these lovely visitors regularly, it is necessary to plant the seed every year.

Of the border carnations, the Chabaud and Marguerite types are hardy enough to stand the winter if slightly covered, and will flower profusely the second year, but they make off-shoots, which bring to bloom a few weeks after sowing.

Hollyhocks from seed do not blossom until the second year, but they make off-shoots, which bring flowers every season thereafter. And as they sow themselves, people often mistake them for perennials. They come both single and double, and are especially lovely against a wall or a green background.

The evening primrose, tall and stately, with large yellow flowers, is easily grown in almost any soil. It thrives in almost any soil, and blooms the entire summer.

Of the wallflowers, the biennial variety will blossom most of the summer if grown in a moist, shady place and not allowed to go to seed. These come in yellows, reddish brown and purplish brown. They need winter protection.

The horned poppy, though a biennial, will flower the first year if started indoors in March. It likes an open, sunny spot, and if old flowers are kept picked off, will bloom all summer.

Sweet William is another old-fashioned garden favorite that is usually considered a perennial, but which does its best the second year from seed. As it self-sows, it goes on forever, like Tennyson's brook, once it gets started. In protecting, however, do not get fertilizer directly over the crown, or it will cause decay.

Mullein pink, or Rose Campion as it is often called, is another of our grandmothers' pets, and if started very early, will flower the first season.

Now all of the biennials I have described are easily grown, and sure to bring great pleasure. And really it is worth while to curb one's impatience, and wait, when necessary, until the second season, for the sake of these lovely hardy beauties.

A GUIDE TO THE COMMON BIENNIALS

Note.—English Daisies (a perennial), Forget-me-nots, Hollyhocks and Pansies are often started about the 1st of August. Most of the biennials need slight protection during the winter. Remember that in nearly every case seed must be sown every year in order to secure succession of bloom.

NameColorHeightSowIndoorsSowOutdoorsGood forPlaceBloomingSeason[C]Canterbury Bells (Campanula medium)WhitePinkBluePurple2½ ft.March 1stMayJuneBorderSunJune,July[C]Carnation, Border (Dianthus caryophyllus)WhitePink1 to2 ft.MayBorderSunAugust[D]English Daisy (Bellis perennis)WhitePink4 to6 in.JulyAug.BorderBedSunApril,MayEvening Primrose (Œnothera biennis)Yellow5 ft.Many varietiesMayJuneBorderSunJuneto Sept.Forget-me-not (Myosotis)Blue1 to2 ft.Self-sowsMay JuneBorderHalf shadeAprilto Sept.Foxglove (Digitalis)PinkishpurpleWhiteYellow3 to5 ft.Aprilto JuneBorderClumpsHalf shadeJune,JulyHollyhock (Althæa rosea)WhitePinkRoseYellowRed4 to8 ft.Self-sowsAlso makesoffsetsMay,Juneor Aug.Back ofborderoclumpsSunJuly,Aug.Horned Poppy (Glaucium luteum)YellowOrange6 in.May JuneBorderSunJuly to Sept.[C]Mullein Pink (Lychnis coronaria)White toCrimson1 to2½ ft.May 1stBorderRockerySunJune,JulyRose Campion, see Mullein PinkWallflower (Cheiranthus cheiri)Yellowtobrownsandpurples1 to2½ ft.MayJuneBorderRockerySun orpartshadeMayPansy, more easily treated as an annual

FOOTNOTES:[C]Will blossom the first year from seed that is sown as early as possible.[D]A perennial often started in August, so it will bloom the next spring.

[C]Will blossom the first year from seed that is sown as early as possible.

[D]A perennial often started in August, so it will bloom the next spring.

Flowers that come up Every Year by Themselves (Perennials)

No, the heart that has truly lov'd never forgets,But as truly loves on to the close;As the sunflower turns on her god when he setsThe same look which she turn'd when he rose.—Moore.

Thatbig word ARISTOCRACY simply means "those who rise above the rest of the community in any important respect,"—and rightly, indeed, are the perennials called "the aristocrats of the garden." They are strong and sturdy (good points in both people and flowers), and can be depended on to appear about a certain time, make us a nice visit with all their loveliest clothes, and show their appreciation of our attention and care by returning every season with increased beauty and grace.

A few of the perennials, such as the peony and the iris, grow so slowly that generally peoplehaven't the patience to wait for them to flower from seed, and instead try to get some roots from their more fortunate friends, or buy from a florist. But I will tell you more about this class in connection with the bulb and tuber families.

While a small number of these beauties will bloom the first year if started early in the spring, most of them make their début in garden society the second summer. Before that they have to be watched, or they might meet with accident. A good way, therefore, is to have a little bed (preferably a cold frame) for a seed nursery off to one side, in a safe place, where the baby plants can be cared for, protected from cold, and tended like the infants they are, until grown up and old enough to enter the society of bed or border. In such a place the seeds should be planted in fine, rich soil, preferably from the middle of May to the 1st of July, and all carefully marked. Sow thinly, and then cover the seed by sifting over with fine soil from 1/8 to ¼ inch deep. Sprinkle very lightly by means of a whisk broom dipped in water, so as not to wash out the seed, and if you possibly can, cover with a piece of glass. Keep in the shade at first,and never let dry out. Some of this seed will germinate in less than a week, while some may take so long that you will think it is not going to grow at all! But don't give up; and maybe some day when you have forgotten all about it, you will discover a lot of new babies in your nursery.

As soon as your seedlings are big and strong enough to be handled, they must be carefully lifted and set in another part of the nursery, not less than 3 inches apart, protected from the hot sun, and left until they become strong, sturdy children. Then early in the fall, before the middle of September, you can take them up very gently, without disturbing their tiny rootlets, and put them with their friends and relatives in the garden, wherever you wish them to bloom the following summer.

Of course you couldn't,—and you wouldn't want to grow everything you ever saw or heard about! Just think of the fun, however, of picking out a small number that will be sure to give you flowers, one after another, from earliest spring until cold weather! Yet the following list, suggested by one authority, is easy to get and little trouble to care for:

Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata); white, rose, lavender; bloom April and May.Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria majalis); white; May, June.Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis); rose pink; April through June.Iris (Fleur-de-lis); white, purple, yellow; April to July.Peony (Pæoniaofficinalis); white, rose to crimson; May, June.Larkspur (Delphinium); blues; June, July, September.Balloon Flower (Platycodon); blue, purple, white; July to October.Phlox, Hardy (Phlox paniculata); no blue nor real yellow; June through September.Golden Glow (Rudbeckia laciniata); yellow; August.Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata); yellow, red; July to October.Boltonia (Boltonia latisquama); lilac; August to October.Sunflower (Helianthus); yellow; July to October.

Photo of dog in front of flowersKIM AND COLUMBINE

The fault that I would find with the gentleman's list is that he has omitted chrysanthemums, which could be substituted for sunflowers to most people's satisfaction,—and which also would bloom as late as November. Also I should prefer columbine to his bleeding hearts,—and the golden-spurred variety will bloom from early May to early August! Above all, instead of boltonia, I would use the adorable snapdragons, which, although considered a "tender perennial," will survive cold weather if well protected.

But then, as I once heard, "A man's garden is like his wife, whom he never would think of comparing with anybody else's." So you don't have to follow any one's choice. Just make a list of the flowers that you like, find out when they bloom, and then choose as few or as many as you have room for, remembering to plan for something lovely every month of the blooming season.

One note of warning, however. After you have made your list, consult some friend that is a successful gardener, and make sure that what you have chosen will thrive in your particular locality. If you find it does not, strike it off, and put in something that will.

A GUIDE TO THE COMMON PERENNIALS

Note.—A few of these will blossom the first summer, if started early. Also, some varieties of the same plant will flower in the spring, others in the fall. Make sure which kind you get.

NameColorHeightSowIndoorsSowOutdoorsGood forPlaceBloomingSeasonAlyssum (Alyssum saxatile)Richyellow1 ft.MayJuneRockeryEdgingHalfshadeor sunApril,MayAnemone, Japanese (Anemone Japonica)RoseWhite2 to4 ft.MayJuneBorderBedHalfshadeor sunSept.,Oct.Aster, Hardy (Aster Novæ-Angliæ)WhitePinkLavenderPurple2 to5 ft.MayJuneAnywhereShade or sunAug.to Oct.Baby's Breath (Gypsophila paniculata)White2 to3 ft.MayJuneRockeryBorderSunJune,JulyBalloon Flower (Platycodon)WhiteBlue1 to3 ft.MayJuneBorderSunJuly toOct.Begonia, Hardy (Begonia Evansiana)WhitePinkRose1 to2 ft.MayJuneBorderSunJuneto Aug.Bellflower (Campanula)WhiteBlue1 to 3 ft.MayJuneBorderSunJune,July[E]Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata)RedYellow3 to5 ft.MayJuneBorderBedSunJulyto Oct.Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)Pink2 ft.MayJuneBorderBedLikeshalfshadeMay,JuneBoltonia (Boltonia latisquama)Lilac2 to6 ft.MayJuneBorderBedSunAug.to Oct.Candytuft, Hardy (Iberis sempervirens)White6 to12 in.MayJuneBorderEdgingSunApril,MayChrystmas Rose (Helleborus niger)White12 to15 in.MayJuneBorderHalfShadeDec. toMarch,outdoorsChrysanthemum, HardyNo blue2 to3 ft.MayJuneBorderBedSunSept.to Nov.Columbine (Aguilegia)Allshades2 to4 ft.MayJuneRockeryBedSunMayto Aug.Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)Yellow1 to2 ft.MayJuneBorderBedSunJuneto Oct.Daisy, English (Bellis perennis)PinkWhite3 to6 in.MayuneBedSunAprilto JuneDelphinium (Delphinium to formosum,D. Belladonna,D. Chinense)Blue towhite2 to6 ft.MarchMayJuneBorderBedSunJune,July,Sep.Oct.Cut downafter eachfloweringFlag, see Iris[F]Forget-me-not, Perennial (Myosotis palustris)Blue6 to18 in.MayJuneBorderShadeor sunMay tofall[G]Foxglove (usually biennial) (Digitalis)WhitePurpleRoseYellow3 to5 ft.MayJuneBorderBedHalfshadeJune,JulyFraxinella, see Gas PlantGaillardia, see Blanket FlowerGas Plant (Dictamnus albus)RoseWhite2½ ft.LonglivedMayJuneBorderBedSunJune,JulyGolden Glow (Rudbeckia laciniata)Yellow6 to8 ft.MayJuneBack ofborderSunJulyto Sept.[F]Hollyhock (Althæa rosea)Allshades4 to6 ft.MayJuneBack ofborderor bedSunJuly, AugustIrisWhitePurpleYellowMaroon1 to3 ft.May JuneBorderBedClumpSunMayto JulyLarkspur, see DelphiniumLupin (Lupinus)WhiteBluePinkYellow2 to5 ft.MayJuneBorderBedClumpSun orhalfshadeMay,JuneMadwort, see Alyssum[E]Mallow, Musk (Malva moschata)WhiteRose1 to2 ft.MayJuneBorderSun orshadeJulyto Sept.Michaelmas Daisy, see AsterMonk's-hood (Aconitum napellus)Blue towhite3 to5 ft.Slow tostartMayJunePoisonousSun orshadeJulyto Sept.Moss Pink, seePhlox subulataMullein Pink (Lychnis coronaria)WhiteRed1 to3 ft.MayJuneBorderBedSunJune,JulyMyosotis, see Forget-me-notMyrtle, see PeriwinklePansy (Viola tricolor)WhiteBlueYellowPurple6 to8 in.MarchAprilMayBorderBedSun orhalfshadeAllsummer,withcarePeony (Pæonia officinalis)WhiteRose Crimson3 ft.Slow growerMayJuneBorderClumpsSun orhalfshadeMay,JunePeriwinkle (Vinca minor)BlueWhite6 to 10 in.MarchMayJuneTrailingvineShadedbarespotsAllsummerPhlox, Perennial (Phlox paniculata)No blueoryellow2 to3 ft.SlowMayJuneBorderBedSunAug.,Sept.(Phlox subulata)WhitePinkLavender2 in.MayJuneCarpetingBorderSunApril,MayPink, Grass (Dianthus plumaris)WhiteVari-colored1 ft.MayJuneRockery BorderSunMay,JunePlatycodon, see Bellflower[E]Poppy, Iceland (Papaver nudicaule)WhiteRedYellow1 ft.AprilMayBorderBedSunJuneto Oct.Poppy, Oriental (Papaver orientale)ScarletOrangeto pink3 ft.MarchAprilBorderBedSunJune,JulyPyrethrum (Chrysanthemum coccineum)WhitRoseCrimson3 ft.MayJuneBorderSunJune,July[E]Rocket, Sweet (Hesperis)Whitetopurple2 to3 ft.MayJuneBorderClumpSunJuneto Aug.Rockmadwort, see AlyssumRose Campion, see Mullein PinkRudbeckia, see Golden GlowSage, see SalviaSalvia (perennial)WhiteBlue2 to4 ft.MayJuneBorderBedSunMayto Sept.[F]Snapdragon (Antirrhinum)No blues1 to3 ft.MarchMay 1stBorderBedSunJunto Oct.Sunflower (Helianthus)Yellow2 to8 ft.MayJuneBack ofborderSunSept.to Nov.[E]Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus)WhitePinkMaroon1 ft.MayJuneBorderBedSunJuneto Aug.Tickseed, see Coreopsis[G]Wallflower(Cheiranthus cheiri)Yellowstobrownsandpurple1 to2½ ft.MayJuneRockgardenorborderPartshadeMayWindflower, Snowdrop (Anemone sylvestris)White1 to1½ ft.MayJuneClumpBorderPartshadeor sunAprilto July

Back to Index Next