28 
CARL PURDY, UKIAH, CALIFORNIA 
Boltonia asteroides, showing what a fine mass of flowers they make. This picture also 
shows how closely the Michselmas Daisies and Boltonias resemble each other 
should never be omitted, for they have the merit of making soft masses of any desired 
height from 2 to 7 feet. The foliage is a soft, pleasing shade of green and makes an ex- 
cellent filler and foil for other groups. Most superb groups can be planned with Michael- 
mas Daisies alone. The varieties do not all flower at the same time and, if after a plant 
flowers and before seeds can form it is cut close to the ground, it will flower a second 
time. Indeed one customer of mine had three crops last year from one plant. 
Again, if in a massing of these alone, a portion is cut down after they are well up, 
say in May, the bloom will be retarded enough so they will supplement the first-flowering 
lots most beautifully. 
Their culture is most easy. They will do fairly in any garden soil with moderate 
watering and either in full sun or very light shade. The very best results will be had 
in a rich, well-worked soil of any class with rather abundant watering. Plant 15 to 18 
inches apart each way in strong groups of not less than six of a sort. If hoed, they will 
do better. Plant from October to April. Reset not later than the second year. In 
resetting use only the outer vigorous shoots and, if single shoots are used and they are 
set about a foot apart each way each winter, the very finest obtainable results will be 
had. Summer mulching is an advantage andean be made of old leaves, sawdust, well- 
rotted manure, or grass cuttings; but manure is preferable. 
I bought my set from the leading English specialists and supplemented with the best 
new sorts. They are divided into distinct groups, the result of crossing natural species. 
Aster cordifolius is the most dainty in mass of any. It has a tuft of heart-shaped 
leaves at the ground and slender, very graceful branches full of beautiful small flowers. 
Ideal grows to 3 feet and has exquisite pale lavender flowers in dainty sprays. 25c. ea. 
Cordifolius magnificus is to 4 feet high, stout, and much branched and has soft 
blue-lavender flowers. 
Shortii is closely allied with these. Neat, erect habit and stems 3 to 4 feet high, full 
of fine, clear blue flowers. 
A. ericoides owes its name to a resemblance of the wonderfully full-flowering 
plants to a heath or erica. It makes compact little bushes smothered with little starry 
flowers and is a most excellent filler in a large border. Sensation is about 2 feet high, with 
tiny, starry, white flowers. Virgil is like it, with a red center. 
