266 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



and, as the flowers are produced in great profusion in the late 

 autumn, when few hardy plants are in flower, they are very much 

 prized for cutting. The species and varieties are very numerous, and 

 are propagated by either seeds, cuttings, or division. In dividing 

 the plants (which is best done in the spring, although autumn 

 may be selected), only the outside portions should be utilised. 

 The old stools are best thrown away. Aster acris is an attractive 

 plant, of neat, bushy habit, reaching a height of 2ft., and bearing 

 an abundance of bright blue flowers • during August and Sep- 

 tember. A. Amellus grows 2ft. high, and bears numerous violet- 

 purple flowers in August and September. Its variety bessarabicus 

 (Fig. 149) is one of the best in the whole genus. It has purplish 

 flowers, much larger than those of the type. A. diffmus 

 horizontalis is of curious habit, growing 2ft. high. It is an 

 exceedingly effective border plant, its numerous branching stems 

 being literally smothered with small white flowers edged with 

 red. It flowers during September and October. A. ericoides has 

 long graceful sprays of small white flowers. A. grandiflorus :(ift. 

 to 2^ft. high) bears an abundance of large violet or blue flowers 



during September and October. A. 

 Nova-Anglim bears purple flowers with 

 orange centres, in terminal clusters, on 

 stems varying from 3ft. to ■ 5ft. high. 

 Two or three varieties are also grown. 

 A. Novce-Belgii grows 3ft. or 4ft. high, 

 and produces its pale blue flowers 

 in the late autumn. Numerous 

 garden varieties are in cultivation, 

 differing from the type chiefly in 

 the colour of their flowers. A. 

 undulatus grows 3ft. high, and 

 produces an abundance of soft 

 lilac-coloured flowers. A. viminms 

 (3ft.), small white, star-shaped 

 flowers, or graceful sprays. See also 

 "Appendix." 



Bocconia cordata (Plume 

 Poppy) is a handsome foliage 

 plant, having large roundish 

 leaves, which are deeply 

 lobed. It grows from 5ft. to 

 7 ft. high, and bears terminal 

 panicles of* creamy-white 

 flowers during July and 

 August. For shrubberies, beds, or back 'positions- in the mixed 

 border, it is well suited ; but it is especially adapted for the wild 

 garden, as it "runs" considerably. Increased by division or 

 cuttings taken by off with a heel in spring. 



Fig. 150.— Campanula pykamidalis 



