26 



THE PRACTICAL GARDEN -BOOK 



Spray of wild Aster 



given. If the rust attacks the plants, spray with ammo- 

 niacal carbonate of copper. 



Aster, Native. Wild Asters are one of the 

 glories of the American autumn. They grow almost every- 

 where in the north and east, along road- 

 sides, in meadows and swales. Their colors 

 range from pure white to pink, and purple, 

 and blue. From August until winter closes 

 in, they are conspicuous features of the land- 

 scape, vying with the goldenrods in form and 

 color, but surpassing them in color-range. 

 Most of them are greatly improved when 

 transferred to the border. They become 

 more attractive in general habit, and the flowers are usually 

 more profuse and sometimes larger. They are of the easiest 

 possible culture. They can be removed to home grounds in 

 the fall or spring, and, with little care until they are estab- 

 lished, will make most attractive displays of 

 autumn color. The species are numerous and 

 much confused, and it is not necessary to make 

 a list of them here. Because of their free and 

 careless habit, they are better adapted to 

 planting in borders than in the formal flower 

 beds. 



Aubrietia deltoidea. A very hand- 

 some little trailing hardy perennial, covered 

 with attractive purple flowers in early spring. 

 Should be planted in masses for best effect. 

 Propagated by cuttings or seeds, usually the latter. Excel- 

 lent for rockwork and permanent low edgings. 



Auricula. A half-hardy perennial of the 

 Primrose tribe (Primula Auricula), very popular in Europe, 

 but little grown in this country on account of the hot, dry 

 summers. In this country usually propagated by seed, as 

 for Cineraria ; but special varieties are perpetuated by off- 



wild Asters 



