638 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



REPORT ON PERENNIAL ASTERS GROWN AT CHISWICK, 



1902. 



(Michaelmas Daisies.) 



A collection of 220 species and varieties was grown, of which ninety 

 had been in the collection at Chiswick since the trial of these plants, 

 conducted in 1892, the Report of which will be found in the Journal, 

 vol. xv. p. 238. The genus is a large one, and very important for the 

 embellishment of the out-door garden in autumn. Altogether, some- 

 thing like 200 species are known to botanists, and the garden forms and 

 varieties are legion. 



North America is the headquarters of the genus ; many species are 

 found in Mexico, China, Japan, Asia, and Europe. Asters vary much in 

 habit, and are mostly planted in the herbaceous border and wild garden, 

 but many of them are well adapted for grouping in beds on the turf, 

 and the dwarf varieties are eminently suited for the rock garden. They 

 are easily cultivated, but prefer a rather heavy damp soil to one that is 

 very light and dry. In order to secure the best results, plants should be 

 divided every spring, as it is a mistake to allow them to occupy the same 

 ground undisturbed for indefinite periods. 



The specimens referred to below were planted in spring, in rows three 

 feet wide and two feet apart in the rows, on ground that had been 

 trenched and heavily manured the preceding autumn. All grew well, 

 and many of them yielded great quantities of flowers. The collection 

 was examined by the Floral Committee on several occasions, who recom- 

 mended awards to meritorious varieties. 



The awards made in 1892 are incorporated in the present Report. 

 The height which each attains in the soil of Chiswick is also given, and 

 the time of flowering roughly indicated by the words "early," "mid- 

 season," and " late." With the exception of species, garden forms that 

 failed to secure any award are not mentioned. 



A.M. = Award of Merit, 

 x x x = Highly Commended, 

 x x = Commended. 



1. Acris, xxx 1H92. — Height 2 feet 6 inches ; pyramidal habit ; leaves 

 1-1^ inch long, linear-lanceolate, sessile, pale green ; very free-flowering ; 

 stellate flowers, blue or lilac. A continuous bloomer. Mid-season. Intro- 

 duced from the South of Europe in 1731. 



2. Acris nanus, A.M. October 13, 1902. — A dainty variety, remarkable 

 for the great quantity of purplish-blue flowers, which are deeper in colour 

 and appear about a week or so later than these of the type. It grows 

 1(> inches high, and is of very dense, bushy habit. A splendid plant 

 for the rock garden as well as for a prominent place in the herbaceous 

 border, 



8. Amelias amelloides, xxx 1892. — Height 2 feet ; sturdy branch- 



