- it flowers freely. Propagated by divisions in spring; or 
140 THE DICTIONARY 
OF GARDENING, 
Aster—continued. 
florets finely imbricated, and filled up to the centre when quite 
= The colours are of great brilliancy, and of many shades. 
. afb. : 
Pompone Goliath,.* Flower-heads globular, and florets very 
closely set. Valuable for bouquets, as the flowers remain intact 
for a considerable time. 
dal Hedgehog. Singular and unique. Stemsupright, 
and branched; each branch terminated by a single flower-head, 
herr is filled up with quill-like florets. Colours various. 
. Uft. | g 
Truffauts Pæony Perfection.* Vigorous upright growers, 
having large, hemispherical-formed heads of flowers with incurved 
florets, 4in. across. The colours also are very varied. h. about 
2ft. See Figs. 183 and 184. 
Fig. 185. VICTORIA ASTER. 
Victoria.* One of the most popular classes of Asters grown; flower- 
heads very double, imbricate, globular, 4in. in diameter, from 
ten to twenty on a plant, of various shades, A, 1ft., with a 
pyramidal habit. See Fig. 185. 
ASTERACANTHA (from aster, a star, and acantha, 
a spine ; referring to the disposition of the spines). ORD. 
Acanthacew. A handsome greenhouse herbaceous perennial, 
of easy culture in sandy loam. It should be grown in a 
sunny position, and be kept moderately dry, otherwise little 
_ but foliaceous growth will be produced; but, if thus treated, 
_ by seeds, sown in August. 
A, lo: -leaved). jl. yellow, in dense axillary fascicles. 
uly. l tapering to the base, narrow, sessile, serratel 
ciliated. Stem quadrangular. Plant rather hairy. A. 2ft. India, 
ASTERACEÆ. See Composite. 
ASTEROCEPHALUS. See Scabiosa. 
AST E (from a, without, and stilbe, brilliancy ; in al- 
lusion to the inconspicuous flowers of some of the species). 
ORD. Saxifragacew. Tall branching herbs, with triternate 
or biternate leaves, allied to Spiræa, from which they differ 
in having not’ more than three carpels, eight or ten stamens, 
and numerous albuminous seeds. ‘They are all more or less 
graceful, and some indispensable, either when grown in 
isolated clumps, or intermingled with other herbaceous 
plants. They thrive well in almost any rich garden soil, 
preferring damp positions, and are easily propagated by 
division, which is best done in early spring. A. japonica 
_is grown very extensively for decorative purposes, its ele- 
gant spikes of pure white flowers rendering it especially 
Astilbe—continued. 
valuable. The majority of the plants cultivated are im- 
ported, but they may be grown fairly well in this country 
in heavily manured soil. They should be potted as early 
as possible in the autumn, and plunged in ashes or fibre 
outside, when they will soon commence to root, after which 
they may be placed in heat, and forced as required, always 
giving an abundance of water. Indeed, the pots may be 
stood in pans of water, especially when the plants are well 
furnished with growth. 
A. barbata (bearded), A synonym of A, japonica. 
A, decandra (ten-stamened). fl. white, in spicate racemose 
panicles. May. @. biternate ; leaflets cordate, T lobed and ser- 
rated, glandular beneath, and on the petioles. k, 2ft. to dit. North 
America, 1812. 
Fig. 186. ASTILBE JAPONICA. 
A, japonica (Japanese).* fl. small, pure white, in large branch- 
ing racemose panicles. May. J. triternate or pinnate, serrated, 
h. lft. to 2ft, Japan. This is best grown in pots, as early frosts 
generally cut it down in the open air. SYNS, Spiræa barbata and 
japonica, also Hoteia and A. barbata. See Fig. 186, 
A. j. variegata (variegated).* J. prettily variegated with yellow; ` 
anicles much more dense than the type; indeed, it is far superior 
in that respect. 
See 
`N 
Fic. 187. ASTILBE RIVULARIS. 
vula: prook).* . yellowish-white, or reddish, in large 
aes be Ei rake sah l. biternate ; leaflets ovate, doubly 
serrated, villous beneath and on the petioles. A. 3ft. Nepaul. 
A grand plant for the margins of lakes or damp woodlands, See 
Fig. 187. 
A. rubra (red).* jl. rose, ve 
summer and autumn. l. 
lin. to 2in. long, with elongated, serrated 
India, 1851. A very pretty, but rare species ; 
tropical gardening. 
numerous, in dense — Late 
iternate; leaflets oblique, cordate, 
ints. A. 4ft. to 6ft. 
excellent for 
