Assonia 



( 88) 



Aster, Perennial 



-umbrosum, 2' to 5' (syns. viride. Green ^Spleeu- 



Allantodia australe, wort. 4" to 6", hdy. 



Athyrium umbrosum, vittieforme, 1' to H-', st. 



and axillare of Aitou). (syn. sundense). 



vagans, 3" to o", st. vulcanicum, 1' to 2', st. 

 varians, 4" to 6", grh. (si/n. heterodon). 



veitcliiauum (see Belan- zamioides(seeparadoxum) . 



geri). zeylauicum, 6" to \'i" , st. 

 Vieillardii, 6" to 9" (mjii. (syn. Diplazium zey- 



sohizodon). lanicum). 



ASSONIA. 



Stove evergreens (ord. SterculiaceEe, now often 

 referred to Dombeya). They are not of any horti- 

 cultural value. Cuttings of young shoots strike 

 quickly in bottom heat. Loam and peat in equal 

 quantities make a good compost. 



Principal Species : 

 popumea, 15', Je., wh. viburnoides, 10' to 20'. 



ASTARTEA. 



An evergreen shrub (ord. Myrtacete). Fascicu- 

 laris, 6' to 9', May, white, likes a mixture of loam, 

 peat, leaf soil, and sand. It may be increased by 

 cuttings under a bell-glass in a temperature of GO U . 



ASTELIA. 



Greenhouse perennials (ord. Liliacefe) of no special 

 horticultural value. There are several species, 

 and all do well in a mixture of two parts of loam, 

 one part of peat, and a dash of sand. They may 

 be propagated by division in the spring. 



ASTELMA. 



A small genus of evergreen greenhouse shrubs 

 from the Cape (ord. Composite), now referred to 

 Helipterum. Propagated by seeds, and cuttings of 

 half-ripened shoots. Peat, leaf mould, and sand, 

 with plenty of drainage, suit. 



Principal Species : 

 canescens, H', Je., pur. 

 eximium, 3', Jy., crim. 



ASTEPHANUS. 



A small genus of evergreen stove climbers (ord. 

 Asclepiadese) of no great importance. Propaga- 

 tion may be effected by division, and a compost of 

 peat, loam, and leaf soil will suit. 



Principal Species : 

 linearis, 4', Jy., wh. triflorus, 4', Jy., wh. 



ASTER, PERENNIAL. (STABWOBT, 

 MICHAELMAS DAISY.) 



Description. The perennial Asters (ord. Com- 

 positse) are now appreciated at almost their true" 

 worth where hardy border flowers are much grown, 

 although the value of some of the species and 

 varieties is not yet realised for growing in pots. 

 As pot plants many are very beautiful, and do well 

 if associated with the flowers of Chrysanthemums 

 and other late autumn plants. In borders or beds 

 they are indispensable at a time when the more 

 tender flo%vers of autumn are cut down or are dis- 

 figured by frost or stormy weather. In some large 

 places an " Aster garden " has been formed, which 

 is a picture of colour when the ordinary garden is 

 almost flowerless. There is much variety in height 

 and habit, as well as in colour, among the Star- 

 worts, and the work of raisers of seedlings has 

 given us many beautiful varieties. It is desirable 

 that those who wish to begin growing these Asters 

 should see a representative collection in bloom, and 

 select those they prefer. Besides the late-bloom- 

 ,ing Asters, there is the pretty, dwarf-growing, 



speciosissimum, 8', Jy. 

 wh. 



early-flowering alpiuus, in some variety, which 

 comes into flower about June. 



Propagation. By division of the plants in 

 spring ; by seeds, sown in autumn or spring ; or 

 by cuttings. 



Soil. A good, rich soil, well manured, is needed 

 to bring the greater number to perfection, but 

 some of the taller species become too gross for any 

 but the largest borders when the ground is rich, 

 so that in their cases it is advisable to plant in a 

 poorer compost to make them more manageable 

 and ornamental. 



Other Cultural Points. Few plants require less 

 attention than the hardy perennial Asters, but in 

 planting at first the soil should be well bastard 

 trenched and manure liberally applied, so that it 

 may not be necessary to replant for some time. 

 They may need watering in dry weather, and when 

 water is necessary a copious supply ought to be 

 given. The greater number will require staking in 

 good time. As many of the taller species and 

 varieties are too tall tor some borders, it may be 

 found desirable to cut the plants down when they 

 are about 12" or 15" high. They will spring afresh, 

 and the check given by this cutting down will . 

 ' retard their flowering little, if anything, while the 

 plants will be dwarfer. Established plants should 

 be divided every few years. If the plants are', 

 allowed to seed before removing the old stems in 

 winter, it will be safer to weed out any young 

 seedlings which may appear close to the old 

 plants. These are Dot likely to come true if 

 in a mixed collection. Plants intended to be 

 grown in pots may be potted in spring, and the 

 pots plunged outside until required to be taken in 

 in 'autumn. For growing in this way none are 

 better than the species and their varieties which 

 have small flowers in great numbers. Those of 

 the cordif olius, vimineus, and ericoides class are the 

 most useful for this purpose. The few greenhouse 

 species are principally evergreen, and are grown 

 from cuttings or seeds. They should be treated 

 like ordinary greenhouse plants. 



Principal Species and Varieties :-~ 



[NOTE. As there are over 200 species, and a 

 number more (150) have been described as such, 

 it is impracticable to do more than give an imper- 

 fect list of the best of the genus.] 



acris, 3', Aug., lil. pur. A pretty early-flowering 

 plant, which is covered with a profusion of starry 

 flowers. The var. dracunculoides is very pretty. 



alpinus, 6", Je., Jy., pur. A valuable little plant for 

 the front of the border or rock garden. The vars. 

 superbus, speciosus, albus, and roseus are all 

 worth growing. Guard against slugs. 



Amellus, 2', Aug., pur. One of the best of the 

 Starworts. The flowers are large, handsome, and 

 brightly coloured. The form bessarabicus is 

 superior, and major is very fine. New vars. 

 named Framfieldii, Onward (see p. 89), Riverslea, 

 and Stella are all improvements on the type. 



cordifolius, 2', Jy., mauve. A charming Aster 

 with a multitude of small flowers. Beautiful vars. 

 are named albulus, elegans,' Diana, and major. 



diffusus, 2', Oct., wh. A valuable Starwort 

 which has pretty sprays of flowers of small size. 

 The best forms are horizontalis and pendulus. 



dumosus, 1J', Oct., mauve. A neat border or 

 rockery plant of compact habit, and with small 

 blooms. 



ericoides, 2J', Oct., wh. A plant which gives 

 charming sprays for cutting. There is a nice, 



