74 THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



fading year are fairer when growing as in their native 

 prairies than when used in any conventional way. 

 Propagate by dividing the roots in early spring, 

 when new growth commences. Old tufts are apt 

 to become flowerless and weak, and when they get into 

 this condition, division and if possible a fresh site are 

 necessary. Starworts bloom throughout October and far 

 into November if the weather is fair, for storms of wind 

 and rain and even frosts have little effect upon them. 

 Asters differ considerably in stature, some quite dwarf, 

 others even 6ft. in height, their willowy stems as graceful 

 as any Reed. Selections have been given, and the first 

 planted should he varieties from 2ft. to 3ft. high. 



Dwarf Asters — These are precious perennials to make 

 groups of, perhaps creeping up to a bank of shrubs or firs 

 which throw into relief the flower colouring. A. acris is 

 very charming, its compact growths almost hidden in 

 early September with lilac flowers, whilst those of A. 

 Amellus bessarabicus are larger, and rich purple, but the 



except very small gardens ; Edith, pinkish mauve ; and 

 Leda, deep blue, height, 3|ft. Another species, named A. 

 Nova; Angliae, has also given rise to several variations, 

 the most effective being Rosens, ruber, William 

 Bowman, rose purple, and the late-flowering deep blue 

 pulchellus. Of others, good groups may be formed of 

 A. Lrevis Apollo, lavender blue ; 1. Arcturus, very rich 

 blue-purple flowers, and almost black stems ; 1. Ariadne, 

 blue; 1. decorus, soft lilac ; and the soft mauve-coloured, 

 late-flowering 1. Calliope. Also include Cordifolius, 

 ericoides, Shorti, polyphyllus, puniceus pulcherrimus, a 

 very charming kind for grouping, its flowers almost of a 

 blush tint ; diffusas horizontalis, its branching stems 

 smothered with red flowers ; grandiflorus, the latest of 

 all in bloom, hence its name of the Christmas Aster — its 

 flowers are deep violet-blue ; turbinellus, versicolor, and the 

 small white-flowered but very pretty vimineus. Any or all 

 of these may be planted without fear of failure in growth or 

 effectiveness. The slender sprays of flowers are welcome 



ASTERS (Michaelmas Daisies or Starworts). 



plant is of the same height. A charming kind is 

 Riverslea, its flowers rich purple-violet, an intense 

 and glorious colour. Select also from A. cordifolius, 

 mauve, graceful in growth ; ptarmicoides, pure white ; 

 corymbosus, white, may be planted in the rock garden ; 

 also dumosus, mauve, very compact, and only I Sin. high- 

 the same as Lindleyanus, which has rose lilac flowers ; 

 Linosyris (Goldilocks), rich yellow ; and Thomsoni, pale 

 blue, a kind for the rock garden. 



Taller Asters. — It is difficult to know which varieties to 

 reject from the great wealth, but we should select the 

 following before all others : A. Novi Belgi, it must 

 not be forgotten, is a species, and has given risj to 

 numberless forms, of which the finest are : Harpur 

 Crewe, pure white, yellow in the centre ; Purity, a 

 beautiful Aster, with flowers of purest white, height, 5ft. ; 

 Robert Parker, the tallest of the group, 5jft., the flowers 

 large, and soft lavender in colour, a kind for all 



for the house. Many sweet decorations may be composed 

 of the Starworts arranged with or without other flowers. 

 Seedlings are easily raised by sowing the seed in spring, 

 and in time the plants reproduce themselves. Seedlings 

 as a rule, however, vary, and sometimes a very beautiful 

 form occurs worth perpetuating. 



Aster alpinilS, an alpine species, is quite dwarf, rarely 

 more than 9111. high, and most at home in the rock 

 garden. Its purple flowers appear as early as July, and 

 there are forms of it, one being white. Speciosus is a 

 noteworthy variety, the flowers being large and of a 

 beautiful violet shade. 



Astilbes. — The Astilbes are more commonly known under 

 the name of Spineas, while by botanists they are classed 

 under the generic name of Hoteia. Their root-stocks 

 are perennial and their foliage deciduous, while their 

 handsome flower-clusters are formed of innumerable tiny 

 blossoms ranging in colour between white and carmine. 



