114 IN A GLOUCESTERSHIRE GARDEN 



are not so handsome, the habit of the plant is very- 

 graceful, the tall stems being clothed with long narrow 

 leaves (sometimes sixteen inches long) which hang 

 down, and give the plant almost a palm-like appear- 

 ance. But the best flowers of October are still the 

 Michaelmas daisies. Some have passed away, but 

 those that remain are among the best, such as Aster 

 turbinellus, A. cordifolins, and A. multiflorus. But the 

 bravest show is made by the two forms, blue and rose, 

 of the A. Novae Angliae, which no weather seems to 

 hurt, and which may be expected to keep in beauty 

 almost till the middle of November, perhaps later. 

 With me they are the latest of the asters, and so are 

 specially prized, for I have never succeeded well Avith 

 Aster grandiflorus, which I have sometimes seen in 

 flower at Christmas, but which, coming from the 

 Southern United States, is not so hardy as the others. 



Passing a few steps outside the garden I come upon 

 a mass of flowers which deserve a passing notice, and 

 which shall be the last October flower that I will name. 

 On the top of an old wall there is a thick covering of 

 old ivy now laden with flowers. It is a good instance 

 of the habit of the ivy not to flower as long as it is 

 climbing, but as soon as it has reached its possible 

 limit it breaks out into flower. I need say nothing to 

 recommend the ivy in any form : it is a favourite with 



