23S 
THE GARDEN MAGAZINE 
May, 1917 
Astilbe grandis is pale green and broad. The 
flower stems, produced during the latter part 
of July and August, grow to a height of five 
to six feet, which makes them easily the giants 
of the family, and their great vigor and extreme 
hardiness recommend them strongly for culti- 
vation in American gardens. 
Although well adapted for growing among 
other herbs in the herbaceous border I have 
found them most valuable for growing in the 
semi-wild garden, especially near the water’s 
edge, where the rich reddish-purple coloring 
o{ Astilbe Davidi is seen to the best advantage. 
M. Arends early recognized the potential 
value of these two species, more especially 
Astilbe Davidi, for hybridizing, and 
the results of his labors we can now 
enjoy. The variety of hardy herb- 
aceous plants is now very large and 
while there are many of great beauty 
there are none more useful nor more 
beautiful indeed than the “Arendsi 
Astilbes.” The fact that they are 
able to adapt themselves to a great 
variety of soils and situations makes 
them equally valuable for the ama- 
teur’s garden or for the large estate. 
While they succeed — that is will grow 
and flower — with the smallest 
amount of care, yet it should be 
borne in mind that Astilbes will 
repay any extra attention one may 
give; and to have them appearing 
at their best they should he cop- 
iously supplied with moisture at the 
roots during the growing season. 
An ideal situation where they are 
completely at home and seen to the 
best advantage is on the margin of 
a pond or stream; but failing this I 
recommend selecting, if possible, a 
position where the sun’s hottest rays 
do not reach them. 
Before planting have the soil 
deeply dug or trenched, and anything 
which will add food, such as decayed 
leaf mould or well rotted manure 
may be freely incorporated. The 
preparation of the ground is import- 
ant, and if done well the plants will 
continue to increase in vigor and 
need little attention for several 
years. As the crowns increase 
rapidly it is advisable to divide and replant 
them occasionally. 
I here are now quite a number of vet)' dis- 
tinct varieties which are annually being added 
to by our European friends, and where space 
permits the very best results are obtained by 
planting the different sorts in separate groups 
or beds. Where this can be done the effect is 
extremely beautiful, as nearly all the varieties 
have very light, feathery spikes when fully 
expanded and the colors are of the more deli- 
cate shades. A mass of such a variety as 
Ceres or Gloria in its season produces in the 
pleasure ground or by the water’s edge a 
singularly beautiful effect. 
One of the most noticeable results of the in- 
troduction of the Chinese species into these 
hybrids is their late flowering season, which 
greatly enhances their value as garden plants, 
and it is possible by a judicious selection of 
varieties to have a wealth of blossom from the 
middle of July till well into September and 
this too from May planting. They will be 
greatly appreciated at that season, when the 
earlier summer flowers have passed and the 
Phlox and early autumn plants have not com- 
menced to blossom. 
These new hybrids are known collectively as 
the Astilbe hybrida group and the number of 
varieties which have received names and have 
been disseminated are all excellent garden 
plants varying considerably in their season of 
blossom, color and form. Having for some 
years grown them in quantity and proved the 
merits of each I have selected those which seem 
to me the most beautiful. If one has sufficient 
room, however, they are all worthy of in- 
clusion. 
Ceres is one of the first to flower and is one 
of the most beautiful. The spikes are about 
three feet tall and very branching, and when 
the delicate pink flowers are fully opened they 
produce a striking mass of color. 
Gloria is also a variety of great merit and if 
planted in a group the deep salmon-pink 
plumes are very handsome. 
Venus blooms at the same time but the flower 
stems are a foot taller and the color deep rose. 
Vesta flowering some two weeks later than 
the foregoing (and a plant of exceptional merit) 
has numerous rose colored plumes 
fully four and one half feet tall; 
and, while the foliage of all the var- 
ieties is good, in this the leaves 
are specially ornamental, being ex- 
ceptionally broad and vigorous and 
are produced up the flower stems 
for fully half their height. Vesta 
would be a desirable variety to 
grow for the handsome foliage alone 
and as a pot or specimen plant is 
most valuable. 
White Pearl is conspicuous when 
massed and remains a long time in 
good condition. 
Rose Perle is very attractive, 
the white flowers being overlaid 
with a delicate silvery sheen. Opal 
is a favorite with all who see it 
on account of the delicate pink 
coloring. It is a charming plant 
Gruno is a new variety of excep- 
tional merit and one of the best of 
this new race. It is a very free 
grower with a loose spike and 
graceful habit and the rich sal- 
mon-pink color finds many admir- 
ers; for room decoration in a cut 
state I do not know of anything 
more valuable. 
Salland is a giant in stature and 
admirable for naturalizing or plant- 
ing by the water’s edge. In a 
damp situation the flower stems 
will grow fully six feet high and 
the rich red color is most effective. 
It is very similar in every respect 
to A. Davidi except that there is 
an absence of any purple coloring in the 
flowers. 
Moerheimi is an excellent companion to 
Sulland and is also a recent addition which 
grows equally tall but has white flowers. 
The above mentioned list is by no means 
exhaustive and there are a number of others 
equally deserving of inclusion but those 
named are fully representative and dis- 
tinct. 
Here's a suggestion for the massed effect of Astilbes. The plants are perfectly 
hardy and the graceful flowers have an individual airy charm all their own. Why not 
grow Astilbes in the mixed border? 
Prepare in May for Winter Flowers w - c ^P LLOM 
A CATALOGUE OF PRESENT ACTIVITIES IN THE GREENHOUSE THAT WILL ENSURE CUT FLOWERS 
FOR THE HOLIDAYS 
I E YOU would have real chrysanthemums 
in the fall, the greenhouse during 
summer must be kept occupied with 
the young plants. And where the glass 
is available it is the most natural thing in the 
world to devote a large space to these flowers 
because there is nothing else in their season 
that will give such bloom. 
There are numerous ways of growing 
Chrysanthemums: They may be grown in 
pots, for example, and if pinched frequently 
will make nice little bush plants for house 
decoration. The large hush plants so familiar 
at our fall shows are of course propagated 
immediately after the flowering season each 
fall, but small plants in 4-inch pots now can 
be planted into 8-inch pots and will make 
good-sized plants by the time they finish. 
For cut flower work the plants can be planted 
in benches, or larger pots, and grown to one or 
two stems. In any case all Chrysanthemums 
should he given their final shift now, use plenty 
of crocks to assure perfect drainage and the soil 
should contain a good percentage of chopped 
I 
