AUTUMN BORDER FLOWERS. 



533 



must say I have never discovered this difficulty. It requires a sunny 

 position in deep, light soil, its roots often going down to a depth of 

 4 feet, and throwing up its long glaucous-green foliage to a height of 

 6 feet with a profusion of pure white flowers with yellow stamens. 



The yellow of Anthemis tinctoria 1 E. C. Buxton,' Anthemis 

 Kelwayi, with the various Heleniums, such as pumilum magnificum, 

 cupreum, 'Riverton Gem,' ' Riverton Beauty,' the large family of 

 Helianthus and the red flowers of Polygonum amplexicaule, Polygonum 

 amplexicaule atrosanguineum, the deep blue of Echinops Ritro, the small 

 white flowers of Gypsophila paniculata ,with the various-coloured double 

 Hollyhocks, help to give the border that charming effect we desire. 



Primula capitata, with its flat heads of deep-blue flowers on stalks 

 often a foot or so in height, should be planted in a moist, shady position 

 in the border. The seedlings from the early spring sowing give a good 

 display of bloom in September. It is of the easiest cultivation, and 

 well repays the slight attention required. 



It is, perhaps, curious that Zauschneria mexicana is not more often 

 grown. The best results can only be obtained by growing it in poor 

 soil facing south. In this position it will be a mass of scarlet flowers 

 for two months. The same treatment is required for the deep-blue 

 Plumbago Larpentae (syn. Ceratostigma plumb aginoides) , first found, 

 I believe, on the walls of Pekin. 



For semi-shade Senecio Clivorum, with its golden-yellow flowers, 

 makes a good border plant, and, provided the position is not too dry, 

 does not require the help of the bog garden. 



The blooming period of the border is carried on with the help 

 of such plants as Sedum spectabile, Sedum spectabile alropurpureum, 

 Pentstemon, early Chrysanthemums, Anemone japonica, and the many 

 beautiful varieties of Michaelmas Daisy. It is perhaps a pity that the 

 Pentstemon is being spoilt. By too much attention being given to 

 producing flowers of large size the grace and elegance of the plant are 

 destroyed. Nothing could be more beautiful than the glorious red of 

 Pentstemon ' Southgate Gem ' and the soft pink of Pentstemon 

 1 Middleton Gem,' both moderate-sized flowers. 



The graceful Anemone japonica, Anemone japonica alba, with the 

 newer varieties, such as ' Alice,' ' Geant des Blanches,' and rosea 

 superba, should not be forgotten ; they bloom profusely, but should 

 be left undisturbed for several years. 



One of the finest and largest families of autumn border plants is the 

 Michaelmas Daisy. The varieties introduced are so numerous that 

 careful selection is required. Useful as they are for the mixed border, 

 they are best grown in a border by themselves, where this is possible. 

 Until they are in bloom they have of course a dull appearance, but this 

 can be obviated to a great extent by placing in front a row of silver 

 and glaucous-leaved plants, which has the effect of throwing the border 

 up in strong relief. The plants best suited for this front row are many 

 of the silvery Artemisias &c, such as Artemisia discolor, A. frigida, 

 A. Palmeri, A. Roezlii, A. sericea, A. Stelleriana, A. tridentaia, with the 



