-^l T\?^ (g-apd^Q ar)d J^d^bov). '^ 



El" SOME HANDSOME AUGUST-BLOOMING WILD 



FLOWERS. 



HE two coneflowers are very showy, well worthy of culti- 

 vation in the flower garden. The variety most widely 

 disseminated is the Orange-colored Coneflower, 

 Rudbeckia hirta, Linn. It begins to bloom in July, con- 

 tinues through the month of August, and often to the 

 middle of September. The ray florets are of a flaming 

 orange color, varying in length from half an inch to an inch ; 

 the cone-shaped centre, or disc, is of a deep, rich purple, 

 contrasting most efl'ectively with the bright rays. It is to 

 be found in open meadows and sunny spots on the borders 

 of thickets. The plant is rough, hairy on leaf and stem, 

 grows to the height of one to three feet, often a straight^ 

 simple stem, but in good soil is frequently branched from 

 near the base. The flower heads are borne singly on long 

 stalks, well adapted for cutting, and last in water for a week. 

 The leaves on the stalk are few, widely separated, and without petiole or leaf- 

 stalk ; the lower leaves are petioled. 



The Yellow Coneflower, Rudbeckia laciniata, Linn, may be readily 

 distinguished from the preceding by its light yellow rays, greenish disc, smooth 

 stem, branching habit, taller growth, and laciniate, or jagged leaves. It grows 

 to a considerable height in rich, moist bottom lands, but usually from five to 

 seven feet. The May florets are often two inches long, narrow in proportion to 

 their length, and drooping. Their color is a clear, bright yellow. The heads 

 are borne on long stalks, and keep in water for a week when cut. This species 

 is usually found growing in low thickets, and is specially vigorous in the flats of 

 the Humber River, not far from Toronto. 



There are two species of Liatris to be found growing in Ontario, known in 

 some places by the name of Blazing Star. The Cylindrical Blazing Star, 

 Liatris cylindricea, Willdenow, is quite common in the vicinity of Toronto, 

 growing to the height of twelve to eighteen inches ; the stem is slender, upright 

 and rigid ; the leaves long, narrow, grass-like. The flower heads are set alter- 

 nately on the stem, in the axils of the leaves, and borne on stout stalks. The 

 form of the flower heads is cylindrical, and there are from eight to twelve heads 

 on a stem, containing from sixteen to twenty rosy-purple flowers in each head. 

 It is to be found in dry soils, usually on the slopes near lakes or streams, grow- 

 ing from a bulbous or corm-like root ; these corms can be easily taken up in 

 the autumn and transferred to some dry, sunny spot in the garden, where they 

 will flourish with but little>'tare. 



Liatris Spicata, Willdenow, is much like the one just described, growing 



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