GENERAL DISCUSSION ON FLOWERS. 71 



{Lycoris squamigera) , are at their best, and in the lilies, at least, 

 give great range in beauty of color and form of flower. 



August has few flowering trees, the Aralias standing by them- 

 selves in creating a flowering effect at this period. Their huge 

 masses of white flowers show to great advantage against the sub- 

 tropical foliage. In shrubs the New Jersey tea ( Ceanothus) is 

 pleasing in its late blooming effect. Clematis vines are showy in 

 their abundant bloom. Hydrangeas, however, are indispensable 

 in their showy effect. Yellow-flow^ered herbs predominate includ- 

 ing sun-flowers {Helianthus), and sneezeworts [Helenium and 

 Heliopsis). There is really ample variety of color, however, in 

 a selection of the false chamomiles (JSoltonia), plantain lilies 

 {FunJcia), Eupatoriums, meadow rues (^ThaUctruin)^ and Kni- 

 phofias. Phlox, too, gives a wide range of color and the Mich- 

 aelmas daisies or asters commence to appear at this time. Stoke's 

 aster [Stokesia cyanea) gives a large range in shades of white, 

 purple, and blue flowers in the hybrid forms between the New 

 England, the New York, and other species of this family. The 

 above with Sedums, Veronicas, Lythrums, Saponarias, Lysima- 

 chias, and Stachys give us abundant hardy flowers with which to 

 make August a show month of the year in the flower border. 



September arrives with but a single notable tree for showy 

 bloom and that requiring care and shelter to obtain results. I 

 refer to that rare and choice loblolly bay (^Gordonia Lasianthus 

 Altamaha). Probably the specimen plant in the Arnold Arbore- 

 tum will remain the best of its kind for a long period to come. 

 Its beautifully showy, fragrant white flowers are borne nearly to 

 frost. We do occasionally have second crops of flowers from 

 the white bay (^Magnolia glaiica) that appear in September. In 

 shrubs Baccharis the groundsel tree, Hydrangeas, and the showy 

 sweet pea shrub {Desniodium or Lespedeza Sieboldi) practically 

 comprise the list. The first with white silky seed vessels that 

 look like flowers, the second with its large showy heads of white 

 blooms, and the last with its immense profusion of rich purple 

 flowers often lasting till hard frost. Phloxes are showing their 

 second bloom if they have not been allowed to go to seed. 

 Asters are in greatest profusion of kinds and in all shades of blue, 

 purple, and of the purest white. Iron weeds ( Vernotiia) are 



