178 GARDEN FL O WERS. 



best varieties. It grows two to four feet tigli, and has 

 a dense, very long spike of fragrant yellow flowers which 

 last a long time in summer. The asphodel luxuriates in 

 rich, deep, moist soil ; and the stronger-growing species are 

 fit subjects for naturalizing in open moist woods, and by the 

 banks of streams and pieces of water. 



There are many asters, and most of them flower from Sep 

 tember to November, and contribute largely to the beauty 

 of the American autumn landscape. One or two species, 

 however, bloom earlier. A. amellus, var. Sessarahicus 

 (Russian starwort), one of the best and largest purple- 

 flowered species, blooms in late summer and early autumn. 

 It grows about eighteen inches high. A. ptarmicoides is 

 a white-flowered species, one to two feet high, also blooming 

 in August and September. 



Baptisia australis (blue false indigo) is from the 

 Southern States, and grows two to five feet high. The 

 foliage is handsome, and its dark-blue lupine-like flowers 

 hang in racemes one to two feet long. A large clump is 

 very fine, and lasts at least two months in summer. Cdlr 

 liri'ho'e involucrata (crimson mallow) is one of the most 

 showy of crimson flowers. It is spreading in habit, and 

 bears its large flowers throughout the summer. The dainty 

 harebells or bell-flowers (Campanulas) must not be forgot- 

 ten. C. Oarpatica, from the Carpathian Mountains, is one 

 of the best. It is a handsome tufted plant about nine inches 

 high. The leaves are heart-shaped, and toothed on the mar- 

 gin, and the flowers, growing on long slender stalks, are 

 large, broadly bell-shaped, and bright-blue. It flowers from 

 June to September, O. Oarpatica has also a beautiful pure 



