SELECTIONS OF FLOWERING PLANTS FOR THE GARDEN. 27 



of vivid scarlet flowers, when perfected by the gardener's hand ? 

 How few have seen the beautiful Aquilegia Canadense, im- 

 proved as it may be in the flower-garden ? Who has tried to 

 cultivate the Gerardia family a tribe of plants singular in their 

 habits, and perhaps difficult to manage in the garden ; but their 

 great elegance and beauty would, no doubt, amply repay any 

 pains that might be taken to domesticate it. Our native Asters, 

 a large family of interesting plants, enlivening our autumnal 

 months, some of them very beautiful in their wild state, are 

 greatly improved when transplanted into the flower-garden. 

 What an acquisition to our floral treasures would be a double 

 variety of Aster multifloj'us, with its pure white flowers ; or 

 A. pu?iiceus, with its lively blue ; or A. Novce Anglce, with its 

 purple flowers ; or what curious sports might be expected from 

 crossing the different species ! No doubt as great an improve- 

 ment might be made with our native perennial Asters, as has 

 been made with our annual China or German Asters, in their 

 improved state. 



Then there is the extensive genus Solidago, embracing many 

 fine species of different heights, with their rich yellow flowers. 

 Of the Asclepias, what is prettier than A. decumbens and 

 tuberosum, with fine orange flowers and other species with 

 red or purple ? 



Some of the large family of Violas are very pretty. Our 

 Lilies, Lupins, Hepaticas, Geraniums, Gentians, Iris are 

 worthy a place inthe pleasure grounds. 



The curious Orchideous and Trillium tribes, so wild in 

 their habits, and impatient of cultivation, might be introduced, 

 and a multitude of others, that would produce a fund of amuse- 

 ment to the cultivator, in watching the progress of improve- 

 ment, that might be developed from time to time, in efforts 

 made to perfect them. Among our shrubs, are many very 

 beautiful. What more so, than the Kalmia, Azalea, Rhodora, 

 and many others to be found in different locations ? Surely, in 

 making up our selections of plants, those of our own native 

 land should not be neglected. 



