24 Encyclopaedia of Gardening 



aculeatum, P. angulare, and P. Lonchitis (respectively the Hard 

 Shield, the Soft Shield, and the Holly ferns), are now classed as 

 Aspidiums. There are several handsome forms of the first two, 

 notably aculeatum proliferum and angulare graiidiceps. For 

 culture, see Ferns. 



Asplenium, Spleenwort (asple-nium, from a, not, and splen, 

 spleen, in allusion to medicinal value. Ord. Filices). A large and 

 important genus of ferns, including kinds suitable for cool and warm 

 greenhouses, rooms, and gardens. The Lady Fern, once called 

 Athyrium filix-foemina, is now classed with the Spleenworts by 

 botanists. The following are the principal species: 

 Adiantum-nigrum, the Black Spleenwort, hardy; acutum is a 



nice form of it. 



bulbiferum, a greenhouse species which produces tiny swarthy 

 plantlets on the fronds, by which it can be propagated ; Fabi- 

 anum and laxum are good varieties; bulbiferum is one of the 

 best of room ferns. 



Ceterach (syn. Ceterach ofncinarum), the hardy Scale fern, 

 falcatum, a greenhouse species, 

 filix-foemina, the Lady Fern, hardy, of which the following are 



good forms: Barnesi, dissectum, and Victoriae. 

 flaccidum, greenhouse, good for baskets. 

 Nidus, the Bird's-nest fern, a graceful species requiring a warm 



greenhouse. 



Trichomanes, the Maidenhair Spleenwort, hardy. 

 For culture, see Ferns. 



Aster, China (Aster sinensis). See Annuals. 



Aster, Perennial, Michaelmas Daisy, Starwort (aster, from aster, 

 a star, referring to the shape of the original 

 single form. Ord. Compositae). See Flower 

 Garden Herbaceous borders. 



Astilbe (astil-be, from a, not, and stilbe, 

 _- brightness, flower not showy. Ord. Saxi- 

 ' fragaceae). This genus would be unim- 

 portant were it not that it includes the 

 popular Spiraea japonica, of which roots are 

 sold in large quantities by bulb dealers in 

 autumn for spring bloom. It thrives in the 

 bulb soil, and if given plenty of water it 

 will throw up beautiful white plumes in 

 PROPAGATING' PERENNIAL abundance. It may be put into rooms 

 ASTER (MICHAELMAS DAISY) when coming into bloom. Astilboides, 3 ft. 

 BY CUTTINGS. high, a spring bloomer; rivularis, 4 ft., a 



The dotted line shows the summer bloomer, good for the waterside; 

 and Thunbergi, 2 ft., a spring bloomer, are 



all good species, with white flowers, and may be grown in borders 

 in moist places. Propagate by division in spring. 



Astragalus, Milk Vetch (astrag-alus, from the Greek. Ord. 

 Leguminosae). A large but not very important genus. Perhaps 

 monspessulanus, an evergreen trailer which produces purple flowers 



