October Glories in Hardy Flowers 
By Wm. Saville, Pennsylvania. 
SEPTEMBER and October are suitable months for 
planting if the soil is light and friable, but in heav- 
ier land it is safer to prepare the ground now and 
plant in Spring, as Winter mellows the surface and en- 
ables the soil to be more closely and firmly pressed 
around the roots and collars of the plants. In planting 
it is important that the roots should be put down to full 
length and not be curled to fit the hole prepared for 
them, as it is upon these main roots that the plants rely 
to stand the Summer drought. 
The large family of Phlox decussata one might de- 
scribe as opening the season of Autumn-flowering plants ; 
and there is no other family that gives such a tone to the 
border. A few of the best varieties are : Europa, W. C. 
Egan, Elizabeth Campbell, Gefion, Rynstrom, Rhine 
lander, Tragedie, Wanandis, Baron von Dedem, Frau 
Anton Buchner and Rosamundi, and these would make 
a good dozen. 
In yellow-flowering plants we have Anthemis Kelwayi, 
with Helenium pumilum magnificum, cupreum, Riverton 
Gem and Riverton Beauty ; and the large family of Hel- 
ianthus, taking Multiflorus fl. pi., Wooley Dod and the 
stately orgyalis with its medium sized golden flowers. 
The red Cardinal flower and Tritomas ; the deep blue 
of Echinops ritro ; the light blue of Salvia azurea ; the 
graceful white flowers of Anemone japonica, and the var- 
ious colored Giant Marsh Mallows (showing wonderful 
improvement in the size of the flowers and intensified col- 
oring over the native Rose Mallow) all help to give the 
border that charming effect we desire. 
The blooming period of the border is carried on with 
the help of such plants as Sedum spectabile, S. s. Brilliant 
and atropurpureum. Penstemon Sensation, a beautiful 
plant bearing spikes of large Gloxinea-like flowers in a 
great variety of bright colors, including rose, cherry, 
crimson, purple, lilac, bloom until frost ; also Penstemon 
barbatus Torreyi. The newer varieties of Anemones, 
such as Alice, Geant des Blanches, Whirlwind, Rosea 
Superba and Lorely (a neat semi-double flower, 3in. in 
diameter, of a bright silvery pink) should not be for- 
gotten. 
The plants best suited for the front row are many of the 
silvery Artemesias ; the silvery foliage of Santolina in- 
cana ; the grey foliage of Stachys lanata ; the glaucus 
leaves of Elymus glaucus (Lyme grass). 
The most precious, perhaps, of the hardy Autumn 
flowers are the Asters of our American pastures, and the 
improved European varieties. The best of these give a 
delightful mass of bloom, impressive in September and 
October. Include the light and deep purple and pink of 
the amellus varieties ; the white, lilac and lavender of the 
graceful, feathery-flowered cordifolius family ; the small 
many-colored flowers of the Heath-like ericoides section ; 
the tall varieties of Aster Novas Angiae ; the numerous 
varieties of Nova Belgii ( included in which are the semi- 
double Beauty of Cornwall, the perfect form of Feltham 
Blue and the soft pink of St. Egwin). If the border is 
properly planted and staked, a sea of bloom is visible 
when viewed from either end ; enabling us, in the dull 
Winter months to come, to look back with satisfaction on 
the closing scene of Autumn flowers. 
During the past few weeks, I have noted the following 
hardy plants, in addition to those already mentioned, and 
most of them are suitable for cut flowers or decorations. 
Aconitum Wilsoni, a strong, stately plant, growing 
five feet high, with large violet blue flowers and the latest 
The new Anemone Hupehensis, a re- 
flowering Aconite. 
cent introduction of merit from China, grows one foot 
high and produces flowers of a pleasing pale mauve rose, 
one and one-half inches in diameter, from August until 
late Autumn. The beautiful Artemesia lactiflora, four 
feet high, clothed with elegantly cut dark green foliage 
and terminated by panicles of hawthorn-scented, creamy- 
white. Spiraea-like, light and graceful flowers, is unlike 
any other plant in bloom at this time. The native Bol- 
tonias, with single Aster-like flowers, give a showy effect 
in the Fall and produce literally thousands of flowers. 
The Buddleia (or Butterfly Bush, as it is called) are de- 
servedly popular. This shrub, from a young plant set 
out in May, will mature to full size the first season. It 
produces long, graceful stems which terminate in taper- 
ing panicles of beautiful lilac colored flowers that are of 
miniature size and borne on a flower which is frequently 
10 in. long. The second year it generally commences to 
flower in June and continues until nipped by severe frosts. 
I venture to predict that Buddleias will become one of the 
most popular plants ever introduced. 
The shrubby Caryopteris Mastacanthus (or Blue 
Spiraea) is a handsome plant, about three feet high, carry- 
ing its rich lavender-colored flowers the whole length of 
its branches. Chelone Lyoni, with heads of purplish 
flowers, and the white variety, glabra alba, are both use- 
ful. The free flowering Shasta Daisies, and the varieties 
Arcticum, Alaska and Vermorense are among the freest 
flowering plants of September and October. The dense 
white spike of Cimicifuga simplex is appreciated, and 
when cut lasts in perfection a long time. 
Coreopsis lanceolata, with its rich golden-yellow flow- 
ers, is invaluable for cutting and succeeds everywhere. 
The globular deep metallic blue heads of Echinops ritro 
remain attractive a long time in a dry condition ; and the 
finely-cut spiny foliage and beautiful amethystine blue 
heads of the Sea Holly are most ornamental. Eupatorium 
ageratoides, a strong, free-growing plant, with minute 
white flowers in dense heads, is splendid for cutting; and 
the pretty Eupatorium ccelestinum, with light blue flow- 
ers, similar to Ageratum is in flower from August until 
frost. The common native purpureum malculatum (or 
Joe Pye weed) is useful in low ground. 
The gorgeous colored Gaillardia grandiflora succeeds 
in any soil, in a sunny position, and is in flower all the 
time from June on. 
The ornamental grasses can be used with telling effect 
in Autumn borders. 
Erianthus Ravennae grows 10 to 12 feet high, and 
throws up numerous plumes, resembling Pampas grass, 
and does not need the same Winter protection. Eulalias, 
planted singly where the soil is rich and deep, take care 
of themselves, and grow rapidly into large specimens. All 
the grasses do best in a heavy soil, enriched with manure 
and an abundant supply of water. Among the small grow- 
ing kinds, Festuco glauca has no equal and Giant Reed, 
Arundo Donax will grow 12 to 20 feet high. 
Similar in general habit to the Helianthus, but com- 
mencing to flower earlier, are the Heliopsis. They rarely 
exceed three feet in height and are very valuable for cut- 
ting. Pitcheriana, scabra, zinniaflora and the new variety 
excelsa are some of the best varieties. 
The golden yellow Hypericum Moserianum is a most 
desirable border plant of graceful habit, with stems 
drooping apparently from the weight of the flowers and 
buds. The new variety Hypericum patulum var. Henryi 
promises to be a very desirable addition to our yellow 
flowered shrubs. 
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