FLOWERS FOR THE HARDY GARDEN 



9 



Hardy Asters 



Michaslmas Daisies 



After persistent propaganda on the part of a few 

 prominent flower-gardeners and progressive nursery- 

 men, this most distinctive of our native plants seems 

 to be started on the road to popularity at Jast. To 

 be sure, it had to cross the ocean first, and be 

 hybridized and developed for years by European 

 growers, and then be brought back and practically 

 re-introduced to its original country, but such is 

 the time-honored method of appreciating our choice 

 native plants. 



Ruskin wrote that the only flower masses effective 

 at a distance are those of a purplish blue tone. No 

 doubt he was thinking of the English heather; but 

 just as striking an illustration of his statement can 

 be seen in the beauty given our eastern American 

 landscape by the various species of wild Asters. 

 Browning upland fields, clusters of young cedars, 

 rocks and reddening brambles, swaying colonies of 

 tall goldcnrod, and, most distinctive note of all, 

 clouds and drifts of cool lavender Asters; — is not 

 most of the spirit of our eastern fall embodied by 

 these? And anyone who has the smallest bit of 

 woodland, thicket, or scrubby waste land can 

 capture some of this spirit by planting it with 

 Asters. Certainly no plants are easier to establish, 

 and they increase so rapidly that one could do a 

 deal of naturalizing, even with the overflow from 

 the llower-borclers. 



Lavender clashes with so few colors that it can 

 be used in the garden in larger masses than any 

 other. One seldom has too much of it; that the 

 English realize this is shown by their fondness for 

 Aster, or, as they call them, ''Michaelmas Daisy" 

 gardens — secluded sections of the border, generally 

 backed by evergreens, or dense shrubbery, and given 

 over entirely to these delightful flowers. Why should ! 

 we not do this here? Surely there arc many (lower- 

 lovers who would be willing to devote the small 

 amount of time and trouble necessary for the enjoy- 

 ment of such a display of exquisite cool color. Any- 

 one with a degree of taste and skill could get splen- 

 did results by combining the many different shades 

 and grouping the various types of growth. 



Except the dwarf Amellus sorts and the Novse- 

 Anglnc section, which are self-supporting, Asters 

 should be staked. But don't bunch all the stalks 

 together at right angles to the ground; one of the 

 charms of the Aster is its arching stems and the 

 billowy amplitude of its flower-masses. Try to 

 strike a mean between stillness and sprawliness; the 

 English manage it by using a many-branched piece 

 of brush to support the stalks. Asters are rank 

 growers and still ranker feeders, and though in their 

 wild state they can remain undivided for some time, 

 lor the garden I would advise an annual division 

 and replanting in newly fertilized soil if the highest 

 development is wanted. At any rate, never let them 

 -stay undivided more than two years. 



Almost any delicately colored llowers combine 

 well with Asters. Salvia u/.urea and various early- 

 llowering chrysanthemums in shell-pink and pale 

 yellow /ire good suggestions. The deeper purple sorts 

 combine effectively with deep yellow helianthi and 

 rudbeckias. And no one who grows Asters should 

 do without their first cousins, the boltonias; no white 

 Aster is equal to Bulloniu usteroides. Charming 



Hardy Asters, continued 



harmonies in soft colors can be made by planting 

 Asters back of annuals like heliotrope, ageratum 

 and lavender verbena and larkspur. 



Acris. Blooms in July and August. About 1 foot 

 tall, with broad heads of small, starry, lavender flow- 

 ers, that give a good effect in masses. An excellent 

 edging plant. 



Feltham Blue. One of the best of the taller, 

 Novi-Bclgii varieties. Dark stems, widely branched, 

 and graceful broad panicles of medium-sized, single, 

 slightly incurving flowers, of a deep lavender. Late 

 August to Late September. 4 to 5 ft. 25 cts. each. 



St. Egwin. A dense, compact grower, completely 

 covered with soft lilac-pink blossoms. One of the 

 best of its color. Delightful combined with the 

 lavender sorts. Late August and September. 2 1 ■, ft. 

 25 cts. each. 



Beauty of Colwall. Very large, semi-double 

 flowers of rich lavender. Still', branching growth, 

 4 feet tall. Excellent for cutting. The best of the 

 double sorts. August and September. 25 cts. each. 



Climax. Perhaps the finest of all; certainly the 

 most distinct. A tall, strong grower, 4 to 5 feet tall, 

 loaded down with masses of large daisy-like flowers, 

 over an inch across, of the most delicious, soft, rich 

 lavender, with broad yellow centers. 30 cts. each. 



Novse-Anglise. Our native New England Aster. 

 Thick, stiff stems, 5 to 6 feet tall, clothed with rough, 

 light-colored leaves and holding up immense heads 

 of large, deep purple flowers, with bright yellow 

 centers. One of the strorgest growers and the best 

 for naturalizing. 



Lil Fardell. A deep, rich lilac-pink form of the 

 above; very fine. 4 ft. 



Finchley White. Strong, erect grower. Flowers 

 large, daisy-shaped, with narrow, pure white petals. 



4 to 5 rt. ' 



Tataricus. Very valuable and distinct late va- 

 riety, with large, coarse leaves and massive stems, 



5 to 6 feet tall. The llowers are lavender with yel- 

 low centers, borne in large, upright heads. Aslcr 

 Tataricus makes a striking effect in isolated masses, 

 in the border, or grouped among shrubs. Very 

 lasting when cut. Space 2 ft. 



Unless otherwise noted, all plants in this catalog, 15 cts. each, $1.50 per doz., $10 per 100 

 Six plants sold at the dozen rate. All plants listed at 25 cts. each are $2.50 per doz., $15 per 100 



