172 AUTUMNAL GLEANINGS. 



Symphiandra pendula, a very dwarf plant, producing large flowers in some abun- 

 dance, which would be showy if of a clearer and less ambiguous tint ; they are 

 neither white, cream, nor yellow, but a sort of mixture of all three tints. The 

 Phloxes are second to none of the autumnal flowers in beauty, several of them, 

 indeed, occupy the first rank. Not to speak of the numerous hybrids recently 

 obtained, it will be sufficient to name the P. decussata or acuminata, with large 

 panicles of rosy-lilac flowers, with an eye of a deeper tint ; the P. paniculata, 

 differing from the preceding chiefly in its smooth foliage, and equally showy; 

 the P. pyramidah's ( macidata of Linnceus ), with stems spotted with brown, and 

 fragrant flowers of a fine blueish lilac ; and the P. reflexa, so named from its lower 

 leaves being reflexed, with flowers in compact heads of a pale blueish purple 

 colour. It should be borne in mind that this genus of plants requires a rich soil, 

 frequently renewed, as they speedily exhaust it, and then dwindle if allowed to 

 remain in the same spot. The species we have named will, most of them, succeed 

 very well in town gardens, and even in partially shaded borders. 



The common Hydrangea hortensis is a highly ornamental plant when well 

 grown, and not, as is too general, thrust into a shady corner. An impression 

 seems to prevail that the Hydrangea will not succeed in a situation fully exposed 

 to the sun's influence, but nothing can be more erroneous. It does need an 

 abundant supply of moisture ; and in the autumnal months it is pretty sure to 

 get it, whatever may be its situation ; but, with this condition fulfilled, it will 

 attain a much larger size, and flower more abundantly in a warm exposure, than 

 in one more shaded, and therefore cooler. 



Perhaps the largest number of autumn flowers is contributed by the extensive 

 tribe of Composite plants. A very considerable portion of those named at page 

 138, under the head of Hardy Composite Plants, are in blossom during the later 

 summer months. The Asters, Pudbeckias, Coreopsis, Achilleas, Liatris, 

 Solidagos, Pyretkrums, Helianthus, and Helenium, are but a few which may 

 be culled for our bouquet. As we have described the best of these in a previous 

 number, we need not do more than refer the reader to it ; some others omitted there 

 may, however, be appropriately introduced. The Boltunia glastifolia, a plant 

 growing from three to five feet high, with a large panicle of white flowers 

 with a yellow disk, is one of these ; they are often tinged with pale purple. The 

 B. asteroides is dwarfer, and has narrower leaves ; its flowers, too, are rather 

 smaller, but of the same colour. Both species are quite hardy herbaceous 

 plants. The Pyrethrum vliyinosum is of some interest; its flowers are large 

 and white, with a yellow centre, and blooms later than most of the other species > 

 quite hardy, and increases fast by its underground runners. The Helenium 

 autumnale is another fine hardy plant for the back of the border or shrubbery^ 

 being of tall growth ; its flower-heads disposed in corymbs, are of a fine yellow, 



