Herbaceous and Bedding Plants 



AOUILEGIA (Columbine). 



Erect, hardy perennial herbs, flowering in panicles. The 

 Columbines love a semi-shaded situation, well-sheltered from 

 harsh winds and strong sunshine, preferably under the shelter 

 of low-growing deciduous shrubs. They also do well in the open 

 ground, but under these conditions their flowers lack the delicate 

 tinting of those grown in the light shade; any soil not too heavy, 

 if well drained, will suit them. 



Seeds are produced in abundance, and should be sown, 

 covered to the depth of one-eighth of an inch, in the Fall (or 

 as soon as practicable after they are ripe) in a shady place con- 

 venient to water; as soon as they are strong enough to be re- 

 moved, they should be planted where they are to flower. 



There are many handsome species including our native 

 species, Aquilegia chrysantha (yellow tinged with red), Aquilegia 

 cserulea from the Rocky Mountains (sky blue) and Aquilegia 

 glandulosa, etc., all of them well deserving a place in our gardens. 



ASTER. 



The Chinese Annual Asters are too well known to require 

 description, their diversity of color and compact habit of growth 

 rendering them almost universal favorites. They delight in a 

 cool moist loamy soil enriched with well-decomposed horse- or 

 cow-manure. 



The seeds should be sown, early in March, either out of doors 

 or under glass, in pans, pots or boxes in light sandy soil, and 

 covered very lightly with sandy leaf -mold; water lightly and 

 keep the soil moderately moist until they germinate ; as soon as 

 they make an inch of growth prick them out, about three inches 

 apart, in light rich soil and grow them on until they are about four 

 inches high; harden them off in a sheltered place out of doors, 

 and plant them about one foot apart where they are to flower; 



[229] 



