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height of three feet or more combined with a leggy, floppy habit 
of growth is against them, but their azure flowers are charming, 
and, if planted in poor soil in a hot dry situation, their tendency 
iness is to a large extent overcome. 
— 
towards height and stragg 
The somewhat woody Chamaedrys Germander (Veucrinm 
Chamedrys) is of value more for its neat glossy foliage than its 
inadequately displayed flowers of rosy red. These are not en- 
tirely despicable however, and its aromatic foliage and late bloom- 
ing commend it. 
September sees the opening of the flowers of the dwarf, spread- 
ing, perennial aster, listed in catalogs as Aster “ Mauve Cushion ” 
(Fig. 27), which continues in bloom well into November. It is 
reputed to come from Japan. The name “ Mauve Cushion’’ is 
descriptive except as to color, which is an extremely pallid tint 
of mauve to say the least. [for rock garden purposes it is best 
irives in 
— 
planted in poor soil to curb its exuberance. Although it t 
full sunlight, it will also endure considerable shade. 
October 
In October bulbous plants are with us again in considerable 
force. 
Several species and varieties of the Meadow Saffron, unfor- 
tunately sometimes called Autumn Crocus, are now conspicuous. 
In their finer forms these resemble Brobdingnagian crocuses, al- 
though in reality they belong in the Lily Family, while crocuses 
are afhliated with the irises. Colchicum speciosum and its varie- 
ties (in addition to the type we have var. album and var. atro- 
rubens) are considered the most desirable. The first named has 
flowers of clear rosy pink, album is pure white and atro-rubens, is. 
according to a catalog description, “ ruby-violet with white throat.” 
Some of the species have curious tessellated flowers of purple and 
white as in Parkinsonit (we do not have this kind), or purple and 
lilac as in variegatum which blooms in September. The common- 
est species is C. autumnale, of which there are several forms, 
including a white one, var. album. We bless these Meadow Saf- 
frons in the fall when their cheery blossoms brighten up the rock 
garden, but in the spring, when their coarse, heavy foliage dom- 
inates the scene we are tempted to wish them elsewhere. 
