File:Vick's garden and floral guide (15940649014).jpg

SEED DEPARTMENT,
To some the following explanation of the various classes of plants may seem superfluous, but there are
those who thirst after knowledge, and it is our aim to give all the explanations possible that may be help-
ful to our patrons. A thorough knowledge of the habits of plants, and how to care for them, prevents many a failure
and disappointment. The cultivation and love of flowers is an indication of refinement, and singles out a person at once
from the ranks of the commonplace, no matter what their surroundings. A window full of plants growing in old tin
cans in the commonest tenement, is as sure a mark of the tastes of the owner as is the conservatory of the wealthy, if
not more so. Grow flowers wherever you live ; their brightness will cheer you on your way through life. Those that
have ample room cannot devote it to a better purpose than growing a surplus to distribute to others less fortunate.
" I don't exactly understand the distinction which you make," Annual and Biennial plants in nearly every case propagate them-
said a gentleman lately, " where you speak of plants as Herba-
ceous."
" Well, it is this," was the reply, " plants having soft stems that
start from the root and grow during summer and then die down
when the cold weather comes, are called
HERBACEOUS. Herbaceous, to distinguish from hard-wooded
plants like shrubs and trees." And, now,
we will explain further, in relation to this, and other terms in com-
mon use among gardeners, but which are not clearly understood by
those who have not given attention to the subject. As we all
know, plants have innumerable variations in form and general ap-
pearance; but they also vary greatly in vitality. Some trees have
been estimated to be over 2.000 years old, and the age of some is
absolutely known to be many hundreds of years. In contrast to
these are the plants which start from seeds in the spring, make
their growth in a few weeks, bloom, ripen seed, and die on the ap-
proach of cold weather. Such plants are called
ANNUALS. Annuals, although they do not live even a full
year, but they are perpetuated annually. They
are all Herbaceous, though in speaking of them this term is not
applied, the word " Annual " sufficiently indicating their vital
character. Then there are plants which start from the seed in the
spring and grow during the summer and autumn and live through
the coming winter; and after growth starts again in the spring they
bloom, and perfect their seeds, and then die in autumn. Such
plants are called Biennials. The tops of most Bi-
BIENNIALS. ennial plants die down in winter, for they are soft-
wooded, while the roots remain alive; or some of
them maintain their leaves all through the cold season, and in this
case they usually form a tuft lying close to the ground. A few
plants classed among the Biennials will live over into the third year.
The number of kinds of Biennial plants is small as compared
.vith those of the Annuals, or with those of another class of plants
which we will now notice. These are what are
PERENNIALS. called Perennials, for the reason that they live
through from year to year, blooming and pro-
ducing seed every season. The trees and shrubs are all
Perennials, but there are many soft-wooded plants that are also
Perennial. The tops of most kinds of soft-wooded or Herbaceous
HPRRArrnu.! Perennials die down in autumn, whiletheirroots
PERENNIALS, remain alive ready to start with the warmth of
spring. There are, then, three well-defined di-
visions among the soft-wooded plants : Annuals, Biennials, and
Perennials, or Herbaceous Perennials, which is the term usually
employed. Trees and shrubs constitute the hard-wooded class.
selves by seeds, but Herbaceous Perennials are not only repro-
duced by seeds but by runners, offshoots, growth from the roots,
bulbs, tubers, and in other ways.
Among the flowering plants of the garden, the Annuals are par-
ticularly noted for the abundance, beauty and brilliancy of their
flowers. These qualities, taken in connection with
the fact that the plants can be quickly and cheaply ANNUALS,
produced in large quantities from seed, give the
annuals great prominence in the flower garden. The Annuals
also vary greatly in their habit of growth ; some spread over the
ground in low masses, like the Lobelia, Portulaca, Sweet Alyssum
and Mignonette; some make handsome single plants, such as the
Balsam, Aster and Four O'clock ; some stand up singly to a height
of three or four feet, like the Larkspur; and others, like the Morning
Glory and Gourds, make great clambering vines that cover a ver-
anda or fence with their foliage, and produce numerous flowers.
Between those mentioned are many other grades of flowers, such
as the Sweet Pea, which climbs to a height of four to nine feet, pro-
ducing its fragrant and graceful flowers in innumerable quantities.
Then there is the low-growing Pansy, always admired. This last
is not an Annual, but a Perennial, as it lives for several years.
There are some perennial flowering plants which, if their seeds are
sown in the spring, will make plants that bloom in the autumn of
the same season.
Of Hardy Herbaceous Perennials there is an immense variety.
An important consideration in regard to these plants is that when
once planted and established they are permanent
members of the garden, perpetuating themselves HARDY „„ „
rr ■ 11 r .v. t. -l HERBACEOUS
in numerous offspring. Many ot the Ferennials perennials.
bloom very early in the spring, and when the
Annuals have scarcely started ; such are the Violet, Columbine, and
others. Some bloom late in autumn, like the Japan Anemone,
others at various times during the spring and summer, while there
are quite a number of varieties that bloom nearly all summer; one
of the most showy and populirof these is the Perennial Phlox.
Some of the most desirable of the Perennials are the Astilbe Ja-
ponica, Dicentra, Perennial Larkspurs, Perennial Poppies, Pinks,
Paeonies, Daisies, Lilies, Day Lilies, and numerous others. This class
also includes some beautiful climbers. Some of these plants are
tuberous, like the Dahlia, Tuberose, and Gladiolus; some are bulbous,
like the Lilies; and in fact all the bulbous plants belong to the class
of Herbaceous Perennials, though they are more specially desig-
nated as "bulbous plants." Some of the Herbaceous Perennials
are tender. Those which endure the winter in our northern