October 7, 191G 



HORTIOULTUBB 



471 



Astilbes and Herbaceous Spiraeas 



AsriLBE Are.ndsi Hybrids 



A survey of our standard plant material for hardy 

 borders and flower gardens in regard to nativity shows 

 the extraordinarily rich contributions of the far East, 

 especially those from China, Siberia and Japan. Of the 

 more recent introductions we shall doubtless learn to 

 treasure many species after sufBcient stock is at hand for 

 dissemination at popular prices. In the meantime it 

 seems opportune to look up the instances where we evi- 

 dently have failed to appreciate merits of obvious dis- 

 tinction. 



I well recollect tlie time wlien we forced Astilbe 

 chinensis, floribunda, aurea reticulata and Thunbergi 

 for Easter. Of late we are giving Astilbe japonica pref- 

 erence, Gladstone in pure white and Queen Alexandra 

 in pale pink being general favorites. What will in- 

 terest the greenhouse men and particularly those am- 

 bitiously after laurels as exhibitors in the near future 

 are the new Astilbe Arendsi hybrids gained by crossing 

 the janonica types with Astilbe Davidi. Of vigorous 

 growth, combining stateliness with gi'ace, they rank in 

 shades from the soft silveiT pink and the salmon of Eosa 

 I'erle and Lachskoenigin to the deep rich velvety rose of 

 Venus and Gloria. The last spring shows brought 

 forth a few specimens. In the near future we shall 

 doubtless see more of them. But what about outdoor 

 use? The reply may be: Oh, we enjoy astilbes at 

 Easter in pots; that is enough. You will sometimes 

 hear the complaint that the rose bugs bother them while 

 in flower late in June and during July. A third one — 

 the Easter pot plants in the garden and they did not 

 do at all and seemed to die away. The mirseryman in 

 a self-resigned way follows it up with the statement: — 

 Astilbes and spiraeas don't move very well : This is the 

 situation in the Middle Atlantic States today. 



Trying the best species and varieties around Pliila- 

 delphia during recent years I have found that astilbes 

 in pots rarely, if ever, develop to the magnificent per- 

 fection and size of specimens grown in rich soil in moist 

 and parlialh/ shaded positions out-of-doors. Rose bugs 

 in this locality occasionally attack early-flowering white 

 and light colored varieties and naturally in full sun- 

 light more than in partial shade. The damage, how- 

 ever, in such cases, not being so noticeable as on the 

 individual flowers of roses, peonies and especially Jap- 

 anese iris, does not, as a rule, interfere seriously with 

 the garden effect of spiraeas and astilbes at all. 

 Throughout the Xorth the beauty of plantations in full 

 sunlight may be enjoyed without any insect annoyance 



whatever. The assertion that astilbes don't do in the 



garden at all applies to high arid situations without the 

 necessary irrigation and reasonable amount of care. 



Prejudices may temporarily delay a general recogni- 

 tion of even the highest ornamental merits. Neverthe- 

 less, as horticulturists we cannot for any length of time 

 afford to overlook a choice and decorative material by 

 means of which we may bring to liglit novel and su- 

 [icrior floral olTects. In regard to the future out-of- 

 door employment, particularly of astilbes, I frankly 

 confess I have my visions. In our arrangements of 

 oramental plantations along the winding course of 

 brook and creek or .the shores of lake and pond I be- 

 lieve we have been in the habit of using perennials 

 rather sparingly. Instances calling for rich floral ar- 

 rays invariably prompts us to make liberal investments 

 in rhizumatous iris. Suppose we add to the gorgeous 

 hues of the Japanese type of iris the tall slender spikes 

 of Astilbe Davidi, grandis, or the new Moerheimi. 

 Suppose we introduce amid the attractive greenery of 

 ferns or alongside of, say the heavy foliage of funkias. 

 clumps of Astilbe Arendsi hybrids with their graceful 

 panicles of flowers in the choicest shades of pink. It is 

 in this case simply the use of the highest quality in ma- 

 terial that I am suggesting should have a trial Under 

 proper conditions the results will not only remove any 

 prejudice but are likely to turn out a revelation of rare 

 beanty and a credit to the originator. 



The herbaceous spiraeas or meadow-sweets are also 

 decidedly moisture-requiring plants. The old well- 

 known species Spiraea Aruneus with freely branching 

 white spikes in form somewhat resembling those of the 



Spirae.\ Abuscus 



much larger of Astilbe grandis is shown by one of our 

 illustrations. Of the other white flowering species I 

 mention Spiraea gigantea, 5 to 6 feet tall; ulmaria fl. 

 pi., medium high, and the low growing filipendula fl. pi. 

 as the most desirable. Spiraea palmata and palmata 

 elegans represent the best pink flowering types, while 

 the species Spiraea venusta and its latest improvement 

 venusta magnifica— the latter 4 to -■■) ft. tall— may be 

 classed the best red meadow sweets. 



Boot division is the customary procedure of growers in 

 propagating astilbes and spiraeas. Stock may be also 

 raised from seed sown in sandy jjeat under glass early 

 in spring. Plants are absolutely hardy as far north a.« 

 Canada. In our northern boundary states a leaf-eover- 

 ms over winter is advisable. 



(ihnside. Pa. 



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