IRISH GARDENING 



i63 



Michaelmas Daisies as Cut 

 Flowers. 



Michaelmas Daisy is the familiar name by 

 which the perennial Asters and Starworts are 

 known, although it is somewhat of an 

 anachronism in these (lavs, when many of the 



are taken from a large collection it does not 

 follow that one not mentioned must necessarily 

 be excluded. 



I take Aster Amellus and its named varieties 

 first. It is the earliest recorded Aster, and they 

 deserve pride of place both for their charm of 

 colour and quality. 



Aster amellus. A. amellus majus, A. amellus 



AltTIsTIC AltaAXCiKilKXT (iF :\IlCnAELMA.S DAIsII 



New 



SOTA^ 

 UARt 



species and varieties flower as early as July, and 

 some of the hybrids, during a mild season, 

 continue in bloom into the middle of Novem- 

 ber. 



Their value as cut flowers for house dccoi-ation 

 is not sufKciently recognised, but while some 

 varieties will last fresh for days in water, others, 

 which look fair and beautiful in the garden, will 

 hardly i-emain fresh for an hoiu- in water without 

 curling up in a dejected manner distressing to 

 the decorator. 



The following list of those that keep fresh 

 longest niav be of interest . .Althouoh the names 



bessarabicus, purple ; A. amellus Kestan, ilark 

 purple ; A. amellus Riverslea, very tine 

 dark purple ; A. amellus Preziosa, dark 

 amethyst colour; A. amellus Beaute Parfait. 

 A. amellus Fleuve Bleu, large Howers, blue, late 

 fiowering; A. amellus Madame Gauguin, pink. 

 Of the tall varieties, A. Beauty of Colwali. 

 A. Advance, A. Piccohi, A. Silver Queen. 

 A. Keston Blue, with their long, graceful branch- 

 ing sprays, are the best coloured blue-Howered 

 Asters for cut work ; A. Mrs. H. J. Jones, A. 

 Don, A. Meg James, are soft paie-coloured 

 luauves. 



