io GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



There are three distinct types, viz. dwarf, medium, and tall, varying 

 in height from I foot to 4 feet. The beautiful art shades of pink, gold, 

 terra-cotta, and bronze have created a great deal of interest in recent 

 years, and are all well worth growing in masses in beds or borders. For 

 walls, rockwork, and the wild garden, however, the self colours, such as 

 good crimson, yellow, and white, are best. 



Aquilegia (Columbine}. A garden without its Columbines is bereft 

 of dainty and pretty flowers. There are, of course, species, and by 

 intermingling them the present race of spurred and other garden forms 

 has been obtained. Aquilegias may, indeed, for the garden go into two 

 groups those with spurs and those without these appendages, which 

 impart to the flower characteristic beauty. To the short-spurred class 

 belongs our native Columbine, with its blunt spurs arching over together 

 towards the insertion of the stalk. From this wild plant (A. vulgaris) 

 come the older garden forms in varieties of purple, dull red, pink, and 

 white colourings. Of these a rather more modern development is a very 

 strong growing kind with white flowers, much larger than in the type. 

 The more modern garden Columbines are nearly all long-spurred, and 

 though the older varieties of A. vulgaris have an unending charm both of 

 their own beauty and of association with the gardens of old times, yet 

 some of the long-spurred kinds are undoubtedly more graceful plants. 

 For dainty loveliness and grace of carriage no plant of this family can 

 rival the long-spurred, pale yellow Calif ornian A. chrysantha, looking its 

 best and happily thriving in some cool, half-shaded portion of the garden. 

 To this beautiful plant a host of garden hybrids owe their origin. Many 

 of these are tinted or suffused with pale pink, probably due to the influ- 

 ence of A. canadensis and species of red and yellow colourings. The 

 Rocky Mountain Columbine (A. ccBrulea) is a very long-spurred kind ; 

 with its blue and white flowers and shorter growth it suggests a like 

 garden use to the large-flowered Siberian A. glandulosa, which has a 

 short spur. But of garden Columbines one of the most important is 

 the beautiful blue and white A. Stuarti, raised by Dr. Stuart of Chirn- 

 side, N.B. Columbines should be considered biennials ; they are true 

 perennials, but often die out during the second year. Seeds are easily 

 raised. Sow them as soon as ripe in a box of light soil, and place in a 

 cold frame. Sow very thinly, and when the seedlings are of fair size 

 transplant them to the place they are to beautify, remembering that 

 well drained soils are most helpful to their growth. The double 

 Aquilegia is a monstrosity. It is the beautiful series of spurred forms 

 that are most welcome in the garden, and are the most useful for cutting. 

 Columbine flowers are excellent for table decoration. Aquilegias are 

 useful for pots, too, for the cold greenhouse. Height 18 inches to 3 feet. 



Aster (Michaelmas Daisies or Starworts). This is a delightful group 

 of perennials for the beginner. They are hardy, free, and vigorous, 

 making clouds of colour in September and October, even lingering into 

 November, when the Christmas Aster (A. grandiftorus) is a bunch of 

 purple bloom. For fully three months Asters brighten the garden. The 

 plants are cheap, and strong tufts put in during winter, or when new 



