HERBACEOUS PLANTS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 198, 17 May 1940, Page 14

HERBACEOUS PLANTS

Need For Periodical Division

Herbaceous plants generally ' grow vigorously. In course of lime the clumps spread, and competition becomes so keen as to preclude the possibility of continuously successful flowering. The soil becomes exhausted and no treatment possible with the plants iu position will replenish the food supply —another reason why long-undisturbed borders bloom sparsely, are subject to drought troubles, pests and diseases.

It has been proved that average perennial plants, under average conditions, maintain their vigour and flowering possibilities for three years. At the. end of that period a decline sets in. Division and transplanting arrest it. The very act of splitting an herbaceous plant stimulates it to greater activity. It is equivalent to pruning, in connection with which an old law states that wood follows the knife. Transplanting into rich, wejl-pre-parod soil replenishes the diminishing food supply. We urge you, therefore, to put your border on to the three-year transplanting plan. There are, of course, two intervening years. What should you do in them to prevent premature decline? Something, obviously. You cannot expect the plants to look after themselves.

As soon as growth fades, and even the last Michaelmas daisies arc in the • sere now, cut down each plant to within 3in. or 4in. of the ground level. Use sharp shears, secateurs, or a -knife. Having cut down in this way, clear the weeds, specially any that are growing among the plants themselves. Now spread a 3in. layer of well-rotted manure on. the border and fork it iu Gin. deep. , This manure contains not only food, but humus, which acts as a valuable storehouse for moisture during the growing season. When forking, take great care not to injure the roots. .Do not break up the lumps; the rougher they are left, the more kindly will the soil be next year. .Frost can temper big lumps whereas it can do nothing with fine stuff. As you fork, or immediately afterward, whichever is the “more convenient, sprinkle on the surface of each square yard of border two tablespoonfuls of freshly-slaked lime and allow it to wash down. Lime, by sweetening the soil, completes the process of putting the border into proper order during the non-trans-planting years. If you have occasion to lift any plants cover them up while they are out of the ground. Cold air or wind would tend to dry up exposed roots and check their speedy re-establishment.