238 THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



autumn some of them flower in a pretty way, particularly the Cornish 

 and the little Dorset Heath, and the Irish Heath in its purple and 

 white forms. 



Among the half hardy plants of the garden perhaps the first place 

 belongs to the Dahlia, which was always a showy autumn flower, but 

 of late has become more precious through the beauty of what are called 



Border of Michaelmas Daisies (Munstead), Surrey. 



Cactus Dahlias, which are so much better in form and colour than the 

 roundheaded Dahlias. 



The hardy Fuchsia is in the warmer and milder districts often 

 very pretty in autumn, especially where it is free enough to make 

 hedges and form large bushes ; but in cold and midland places the 

 growth is often hindered by hard winters. Gladiolus is a splendid 

 flower of the south, but coming more into a class of flowers requiring 

 care, and if they do not get it soon disappearing, liable also to disease, 

 and, on the whole, not so precious as showy. Nurserymen are raising 



