414 



PRACTICAL GUIDE TO GABDEN PLANTS 



ASTILBB 



kept shaded and close for a time. The 

 rooted cuttings may be potted up in spring. 

 Grafting has also been practised, and 



excellent results have been obtained in 

 Paris by using Cotoneaster acv/minata as 

 a stock. 



XL. SAXIFRAGEiE— Rockfoil Order 



An order containing over 500 species of herbs, shrubs, or trees, very variable 

 in habit. Flowers harmaphrodite, rarely 1-sexed, or polygamous-dicEcious. 

 Calyx 5-(rarely4-12-)parted, free or adnata to the ovary. Petals usually 4 or 

 5, rarely none, generally perigynous, often small. Stamens usually 4 or 5, or 

 8 or 10, rarely more, perigynous or epigynous, sometimes hypogynous, fila- 

 ments free, anthers very often didymous (united in pairs). Ovary inferior or 

 superior, usually consisting of 2 carpels cohering more or less by their face, but 

 distinct and diverging at the apex. Fruit usually a capsule or berry. 



This order and the preceding one (Eosaceae) are very closely related to each 

 other, and it is sometimes difficult to decide whether a plant belongs to one or 

 the other. When in doubt a reference to the 2 united and divergent carpels 

 and to the fewer stamens in Saxifragese will usually settle the point. 



Tribe I. Saxifrages. — Herbs, often soapigerous. Leaves usually alternate, with- 

 out stipules. Flovyers nearly always pentamerous (with the parts' in fives). Ovary 

 1-3-celled. 



ASTILBE. — A genus with 6 species 

 of tall, smooth or hairy perennials, with 

 the habit of Spircea Artmcus (see p. 364). 

 Leaves twice or thrice temate, and more 

 or less divided, with deeply serrated 

 lobes, and stalks dilated at the base. 

 Flowers often polygamous-dioecious, in 

 terminal racemes or spikes. Calyx lobes 

 5, rarely 4. Petals 4, 5, or none, inserted 

 at the base of the calyx. Stamens 8 or 

 10, inserted with the linear petals. Car- 

 pels 2-3 scarcely united at the base. 



Gultv/re and Propagation. — The 

 Astilbes are graceful feathery plants 

 suitable for the mixed border. They 

 thrive in any good garden soU and like 

 plenty of water during active growth. 

 They are easily increased by dividing 

 the rootstocks early in spring. 



A. chinensis. — A graceful Chinese 

 species resembling A. japonica in appear- 

 ance. It has however much taller and 

 stronger flower stems, more loosely 

 branched, and the rose-coloured flowers 

 are larger and very effective right through 

 the summer months up to September. 



Culture Sc. as above. 



A. jsLponica. (SpvrcBajapordca ; 8. bar- 

 bata; Hoteia japonica). — A well-known 

 graceful Japanese plant 1-2 ft. high, with 

 thrice temate or pinnate leaves, and 

 coarsely serrated leaflets. Mowers m 



early summer, small, pure white, in erect, 

 pyramidal trusses. There is a variegated 

 form but seldom seen. 



Culture and Propagation. — This 

 species is usually grown in pots and sold 

 in thousands every spring as Spircea 

 japonica, a name properly belonging to a 

 Eosaceous shrub described at p. 867. The 

 plants are perfectly hardy in the border, 

 but the son should be rich and well- 

 manured to develop them. Imported 

 clumps may always be obtained about 

 September. Grown in shaded or partially 

 shaded parts of the border or rockery the 

 plants retain their graceful beauty for a 

 long time. After flowering the clumps 

 may be divided and well watered into 

 their new positions. 



A. Lemoinei. — This is the name given 

 to a French hybrid between .A. Thunhergi 

 and Spircea astilboidesfloribunda (p. 864). 

 If the parentage be correct it proves that 

 plants belonging to two natural orders — 

 Bosaceee and Saxifragese — may be crossed 

 mth each other — a very remarkable thing 

 and probably unique. 



Culture Sc. as above. 



A. rivularis. — A vigorous handsome 

 Nepalese perennial 8-4 ft. high. Leaves 

 twice temate, with ovate doubly serrate 

 leaflets hairy beneath. Flowers late in 

 summer, yellowish-white, in upright 

 clusters. 



