1872.] 
ASTERS AS POT-PLANTS. 
261 
in flower for a considerable period. Colchicum autumnale cilbiflorum plenum 
(f.c.c.) and Crocus Pallasii were shown by Messrs. E. G. Henderson and Son, 
and together with the pretty yellow-flowered crocus-like Sternbergia lutea , gave 
some idea of what beautiful hardy autumn-blooming flowers we possess. The 
former had large full double flowers of quite a delicate beauty. The Crocus 
looked much like C. speciosus, and was of a pretty purple-blue hue. What 
appeared to be a true hybrid, obtained by crossing Echeveria secunda glauca with 
Pachyphytum bracteosum was shown by Mr. William Ingram, Belvoir Castle 
Gardens; a more robust but also looser growth had resulted, and the under-part 
of the leaves was rounded as in those of the Pachyphytum.—R. D. 
ASTERS AS POT-PLANTS. 
STERS are deservedly amongst the most popular and effective of our 
garden favourites. Not only have they profusion of bloom, with richness 
y^2 and variety of colouring, combined with the dwarfest and neatest of habits, 
y but the flowers are also individually almost perfect in many of the beauti¬ 
ful modern varieties. 
Dwarf Chrysanthemum-flowered Aster. 
Asters are divided into two sections, viz., the German , which have the florets 
quilled, and the most beautiful varieties of which possess an outer series like the 
guard-petals of the Hollyhock ; and the French , which have the florets flat, in¬ 
curved, or reflexed, in the latter case resembling the Chrysanthemum, whence the 
group called Chrysanthemum-flowered (see fig.), and in the former, having the 
florets turned in towards the centre, forming a ball, like the flowers of a Paeony, 
hence the Pceony-flowered. Truffaut has greatly improved the French section ; the 
Giant Emperor proved a very great advance over older varieties, whilst the 
