170 AUTUMNAL GLEANINGS. 



species figured, as well as one of the ligulate florets constituting the ray; in 

 both cases, the pappus will be seen crowning the ovoid one- seeded dry fruit, 

 which, never opening, is termed an achemum. 



"We very recently noticed some of the most desirable species of this genus 

 (see page 140), and need not therefore do more than refer our readers to the 

 article in question. To those there named we may add the A. puniceus, 

 an autumnal flowerer, with fine rosy purple blossoms, forming an elongated 

 panicle on stems four to six feet high ; the A. demissus, a variety of the 

 preceding, differing chiefly in its much dwarfer habit ; the A. spurius, with 

 stems from three to four feet high, and showy purplish blue flowers ; the A. 

 argenteus, a half shrubby species, of dwarf habit with foliage covered with 

 silky-white hairs, and handsome purple flowers produced singly at the ends 

 of the shoots; and the A. Californicus, with very large flowers of a pale violet, 

 solitary as in the preceding species. The two latter are somewhat rare in 

 this country, but are well worth the trouble of enquiring for; they are 

 increased by cuttings, and in very severe winters may need a slight protection. 



-e> — 



AUTUMNAL GLEANINGS. 



If there be one season of the year in which the amateur of hardy plants 

 might be thought to be exposed to a disadvantageous concurrence with the 

 cultivator of the more fashionable half-hardy bedders, that period is undoubtedly 

 the autumn, in the early part of which at least the Geraniums, Verbenas, and 

 other plants of this class are in the zenith of their glory. But, although this 

 impression is to some extent correct, we yet hope to shew, that the number of 

 interesting autumnal bloomers of a hardy character is much greater than is 

 usually supposed, and that many of them will suffer little by comparison 

 with the most brilliant of the tenderer occupants of the parterre. 



As a first confirmation of this position, we may cite the beautiful Veronica 

 Andersonii, a plant in every way remarkable, as well for its intrinsic merits as 

 for the illustration it affords of the results possible from the art of the 

 hybridiser. Most of our readers are aware that this plant is a hybrid between 

 the shrubby evergreen V. speciosa, and the V. salicifolia, both from New Zealand 

 it is, however, far superior to either, its handsome shining elliptical foliage, 

 and large spikes of clear violet-blue flowers, which become ultimately white, 

 combine to render it the Queen of the Veronicas. The blossoms are slightly 

 fragrant, and are produced from August up to the arrival of severe weather. 



