88 A LITTLE BOOK OF PERENNIALS 



for his grace's comfort, as under the square, flat hat is a little cap to hold 

 it well in place. It is so pretty a hat that we hope it is in the ritual of the 

 floral world for it to be worn in the ceremonies of their service. 



"The loose spray of blossoms is 6 inches long from where it branches 

 from the main stem. The whole plant is more than a foot in height; the 

 single flower about the size of a dime. The pretty red buds are on the 

 spray with the flowers. 



"The leaves are a soft yellow green, parallel veined and pointed at the 

 apex. The main stem divides into three sprays for the leaves. The whole 

 plant has an airy, unusual and very pleasing effect. The old leaves persist 

 on the stems through the Winter and have to be gathered with the Spring 

 litter from the gardens. 



"It should not be confused with the Bishop's Gap, Mitrewort or Mit- 

 ella, which more nearly resembles the Tiarella or Foam Flower. His Grace, 

 the Bishop, is well adorned in Puritan New England." 



Some of the species are£J. alpinum, with gray, crimson and yellow 

 flowers; E. macranthum, with hlac flowers; E. niveum, with white flowers, 

 and E. Musschianum, with golden yellow blossoms. 



Uses. There is probably no other flower which lasts so long in 

 water as do the Bishop's Hats. If they are picked close to the ground 

 when the leaves are mature, they wiU last at least two months in water. 

 They are good for pot plants and for the border where they should 

 reaUy be planted in masses in order that their delicate flowers may be 

 appreciated. They are excellent plants for the rockery. 



Culture. They prefer a moist, sandy loam and partial shade. 

 If planted in the rockery, they must not get too dry. The soil should 

 not be disturbed around them at any time, as it injures the roots. 



Propagation. They are propagated by dividing the roots. 

 This can be done in either FaU or Spring. 



Erigeron — Fleabane 



The Erigeron has Aster-like flowers which are in bloom during the 

 Summer months. The difl'erent species vary in height from 5 inches to 

 3 feet. The flowers grow from small tufts of leaves, somewhat like the 

 EngUsh Daisy (Bellis) and the blooms of the taller varieties measure 

 2 inches and !^3^ inches^ across. The colors are violet-blue, bright pur- 

 ple, apricot, rose and rosy lavender and these colored petals surround 

 a golden yellow center. 



Erigeron speciosus is the commonest cultivated sort. It has 

 bright purple flowers, grows 2 feet tall, and blooms all Summer. E. 

 glabellus is a dwarf sort growing from G inches to 12 inches tall and with 



