THE GREATER BOG-PLANTS 191 



rivalry with that of Emodi. In both species the seed is 

 abundant and fertile, ready of germination, and one can 

 in no time raise a thriving stock of either. These May- 

 Apples require no treatment except to be planted in 

 some good nook to themselves, in rich soil of either peat 

 or loam, and there to be left quite undisturbed for many 

 years. Of course, their broad, thin-textured leaves being 

 a great beauty, and their juicy stems being brittle, they 

 are grateful for a corner where they will not be flogged 

 and victimised by harsh winds. 



The place for Aster is elsewhere ; but here I must at 

 last give due meed of hononv to Aster pyrenaeus. Why 

 do so few people seem to know, or to grow, this lovely 

 and priceless Michaelmas Daisy ? A tall, stalwart, bushy 

 grower, very leafy, with lush bright green foliage, Aster 

 pyrenaeus carries from midsummer on into autumn 

 enormous, flattened pyramids of flowers. These are large, 

 of loose graceful build, and of a bright blue lavender, 

 very clear, and very clearly contrasting with the central 

 boss of clean gold. Few plants of this size are more 

 attractive, and very few Asters have the same clarity and 

 eflfectiveness of colouring. But I have not yet arrived at 

 the supreme merit of Aster pyrenaeus. For it will grow 

 everywhere — literally everywhere. And it will grow best 

 of all in shallow water or in the wettest part of the bog. 

 I have it in dense masses in rich dry land. I have it in 

 masses in the wild wood. I have it in masses above the 

 marsh, and I have it in masses in five inches of water. 

 Nor does this treasure make itself a nuisance by spreading 

 or seeding. It grows from one crown into a wide cluster, 

 and that is all. When you want to increase your stock, 

 all you have to do is to mangle off the outskirts of a big 

 clump with your trowel. Every piece will grow. 



Other big things that will prove efl^ective are the new 

 Saussurea atriplicifolia, for a dry, elevated bank of rich 



