G68 



SHRUBBERIES AND FLOWER-GARDENS. 



[chap 



hardy perennial plant of Italy, two feet high, and blows a flower 

 of a pale reddish violet colour, in May, June, and July. Readily 

 increased from suckers, and likes a good rich garden soil. 



432. ARN ICA^fiorsican. — Lat. J.. Corsica. A hardy perennial 

 plant which grows in the mountains of Corsica, and blows a yellow 

 flower in May and June. Propagated by seed and separating the 

 roots. Likes a light loamy soil. Is rather large and coarse. 



433. ASPHODEL, yelloic.—lu^t. Asphodelus luteus, A pe- 

 rennial plant, originally from Sicily. It is four feet high, blows in 

 May, June, and July, a brilliant yellow flower. It is multiplied 

 by seed, sown in a hot-bed in pots, and is easily propagated by 

 separating its roots. It likes a good moist soil, and is very orna- 

 mental w hen in flower. 



434. ASTER, Chinese. — \jxi. A. Chinensis. An annual plant, 

 the height of which is from one to two feet. A native of China- 

 It blows in August and September. The flowers are variegated 

 with red, purple, violet, &c., and it is the great autumnal ornament 

 of every garden, flowering till the coming of frosts. Propagated 

 by seed, sowed in a hot-bed in the spring ; and, when the plants 

 have fiv^ or six leaves, plant them where they are to remain. 

 The species that are perennial are propagated by separating their 

 roots. 



435. AVENS, the water. — Lat. Geum rivale. An annual plant 

 from the Pyrenees and the Alps, which is one foot high, and blows 

 a yellow flower in June. Propagated by sowing the seed in open 

 ground in the shade, or by separating the roots in September or 

 February. It does in any soil, but likes a moist and shady situa- 

 tion best. 



436. AURICULA. — lu^t. Priimila Auricula. A florist'sflower, 

 propagated by seed, rooted slips, and offsets. It is a native of 

 Switzerland, but has been long a favourite plant with English, 

 Dutch, and French florists. It is hardy, but, like the aaemone and 

 ranunculus, blows the better for care and protection in severe 

 winters, and in the heat of summer. If you propagate from seed, 

 sow in earthen pans or in boxes in December, or in March, and 

 cover very lightly ; give an eastern aspect, and water gently now 

 and then. When the plants have five or six leaves, transplant 

 them into other boxes or pans, and let them have the same 

 management ; and, when they become strong, put them out in 

 your borders, where, when ihey flower, you can choose the most 



