96 HARDY PERENNIALS 
richest red shades are found in the Novse Angliae 
section, but these are of heavier and less artistic 
habit than either of the others. All are of simplest 
cultural requirements and easily propagated from 
cuttings or division, and by judicious selection even 
a dozen varieties may ensure a supply of flowers for 
cutting from August to November, the latest 
being A. grandiflorus, with large rich violet flowers, 
and A. tradescantii, with white flowers on slender 
wiry stems. 
Astilbe. — Persistently miscalled herbaceous 
Spiraeas, the Astilbes are a family of extremely 
handsome plants that delight in the moisture or 
water-margins and bog gardens. Feathery plumes 
of flowers rise over spreading masses of elegantly cut 
and fringed foliage. There are pure white, cream, 
flesh coloured, salmon, and rose pink, and a few 
deeper red varieties. In addition to their charm 
in the garden they are invaluable for forcing or for 
the adornment of an unheated greenhouse or 
conservatory. 
Astrantia. — This is a small genus of peculiar but 
quaintly pretty plants that will thrive in shady 
positions under trees, or in the confinement of small 
enclosed town gardens. The fresh glossy foliage 
is similar to that of some of the Ranunculus tribe, 
whilst its flower heads are umbelliferous, the indi- 
vidual blooms being like little pin-cushions surrounded 
by a frill of green and white guard petals. A. 
Carniolica and A. Major come with varying tinges of 
