January 31, 1903. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
£7 
Notes on Hardy Plants. 
Asters. —The Michaelmas Daisies are annually growing in 
public favour, and this is not to be wondered at considering 
the many ways in which they adapt themselves to every form 
of decoration and the great beauty of many varieties. An¬ 
other of their valuable points is, that they flower when the 
summer Chrysanthemums are over and flowers are getting 
extremely scarce. 
When making a new border, a position facing, east and 
sheltered from south or west winds should, if possible, be 
chosen ; then the plants will not be damaged by the south¬ 
westerly gales we frequently experience in the autumn. 
The ground should receive a thorough trenching, a deep root- 
run being most essential for their ultimate success. If the 
soil is of a heavy, tenacious character, material of a lightening 
nature should be added ; but if, on the other hand, one has to 
deal with ground of a sandy or lighter texture, some heavier 
material, such as farmyard manure, may be incorporated, an 
ideal soil for them being a good mellow loam. Asters should 
never be allowed to stay for more than two years without 
being lifted and divided; and, if jrossible, this should be done 
annually. Leaving them for several seasons only causes 
deterioration and weediness, the plants never attaining their 
full beauty as when parted each year. Now will be the time 
for taking up and replanting. Carefully lift and see that the 
labels are securely attached, so that no mistakes can occur 
with the naming, which, in the majority of collections, is rather 
mixed at present. The 1 plants should be separated into fail- 
sized pieces and placed firmly in the ground, taking care that 
the young growths which are just breaking up are not damaged. 
The most effective way to set- the border is to plant in rows, a 
good distance being 4 ft. between the rows, and the same from 
plant to plant, with the taller varieties at the back graduating 
down to the dwarf-growing kinds at the front. 
In mentioning some of the best varieties, I may say that 
all of them are growing here, and have proved worthy of 
inclusion in all good collections. Of tall varieties, asteroides 
and the variety decurrens, Top Sawyer, John Wood, puniceus 
pulcherrimus, Novae-Angliae, William Bowman, N.-A. praecox, 
N.A.-roseus, N.-A. rubra, N.-A. Melpomene, Minerva, Theodora, 
Arcturus, and Maia are all good. 
Those of medium height, from 3 ft, to 4 ft., are F. W. Bur- 
bidge, Margaret, Chapmanii, paniculatus, W. J. Grant, Nancy, 
Shortii, cordifolius majus, cord, elegans, cord, albulus, cord. 
Diana, Coombe Fishacre, multiflorus, Candida, difiusus pendu- 
lus, and Mrs. J. T. Raynor, a Novae-Angliae variety with large 
bright crimson flowers, extremely good. 
A good selection of dwarf varieties will be found in ericoides, 
ericoides elegans, vimineus Cassiope, densus, acris, difiusus 
horizontalis—a charming late-flowering variety, with deep red 
centre and white petals—turbinellus, and the white variety 
albus, and laevigatus. 
I do not advise growing any of the Ame-llus section in the 
border, as they prefer to be left undisturbed. A light porous 
soil of sandy loam and leaf mould will suit them admirably, 
and, if possible, a sheltered position devoted entirely to them¬ 
selves. The best varieties are bessarabicus, Distinction, 
Onward, Iliverslea, Framfieldii, and amelloides. 
Of the new varieties raised here by Mr. Beckett, suffice to 
say that they have proved very great additions in habit, florifer- 
ousness and colour, as the number of awards received will 
testify. I leave growers to form their own opinion. When 
the planting is completed place a new label to each plant, 
rake down, and leave the border in a neat and tidy condition. 
Seasonable Remarks. —Plants which were potted up in the 
autumn and wintered in cold frames should be carefully looked 
over, and any decaying leaves or rubbish picked off. They will 
be greatly benefitted if the lights are thoroughly washed, SO' 
as to admit all the light possible. This applies especially to 
Pentstemons, A'iolas, Chrysanthemums', and the like. When the 
weather will.permit the lights should be removed altogether, 
so as to give the plants the benefit of all the air obtainable. 
If it is desired to increase the stock of Chrysanthemums, cut¬ 
tings may be taken now of the young growths and struck in 
a cold frame. Use a light porous compost, and keep close for 
a few days. Hollyhock seed may now be sown for flowering 
this year. A. E. Thatcher. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
Bulbous Irises. 
The type of Iris known as Xiphions forms some of the most 
beautiful objects in flower-beds, providing the soil is well 
drained and the position well sheltered from cold winds. Under 
these conditions the plants flourish and increase fairly rapidly, 
so that each succeeding year sees a greater display. 
To obtain good results, the bulbs should be planted early ; 
that is, not later than September, but I have planted the I. 
reticulata, I. Histrio, etc., as late as the end of October, and 
then had bloom before February was out. 
The display is more brilliant if several bulbs are planted in 
a clump, the crowns being 2 in. below the surface. 
The varieties here enumerated are all beautiful, and many 
of them sweet scented. .For pot work I. reticulata, I. Histrio, 
I. bakeriana, and I. Danfordiae are among the best. 
The first-named, which grows some 9 in. in height, is one 
of the first to bloom, and also one of the most popular. In 
colour it is a purple-blue, with yellow and white stripes. I. 
reticulata “ Krelagei” resembles it muchly, but is dwarfer and 
possesses little or no scent. 
I. Histrio is in bloom early in February, before foliage 
is visible, and is a beautiful lilac tint. 
I. bakeriana appears even as early as January, and shows 
a mixture of sky-blue white and purple-black in its make-up. 
It is very sweet scented. 
I. Danfordiae is a certainty for March, or earlier, and is a 
brilliant yellow. 
I. alata scarpioides does not wait for the new year, but is 
frequently visible in December, or even earlier, the colour being 
lilac-purple with yellow spots. 
I. kolpakowskyana is a near relative of I. reticulata, and a 
most beautiful thing, the colour being made up with purple, 
yellow and lilac. 
I. persica, a very dwarf variety, is a pretty light blue or 
lilac lined with yellow, and shows up in February or March. 
I. p. Heldreichi is a large flowering variety of a lavender hue, 
and, together with I. p. magna, I. p. purpurea, and I. p. Tauri, 
is a great addition to these bulbous Irises. 
The I. xiphiedes, or English Iris, and I. Xiphion (Spanish 
Iris) are well known, the beautiful flowers being seen in many 
gardens. 
There ar.e also numerous other forms of this type of Iris, 
but it would require too much space to describe them. Worthy 
species and varieties are I. juncea, I. ro-senbachiana, I. sind- 
jarensis, I. reticulata sophenensis, I. Vartani, I. wiBmottdana, 
I. Warleyensis, I. Sisyrinchium, I. Pavonia, and I. Battandieri. 
. Cal. 
Iris unguicularis a£ba. 
Most gardeners will recognise this winter-flowering, sweet- 
scented Iris better, perhaps, under the name of I. stylosa. alba. 
For weeks past it has been pushing up its beautiful flowers. 
The abundance of the" grassy foliage, which serves to shelter 
and protect the flowers, has the effect of hiding them from 
the eye of the beholder, except at close distance, so that it 
would be incorrect to describe it either as showy or conspicuous. 
On the other hand, the flowers may be cut and taken indoors 
by those who wish to enjoy its special qualities at this season 
of the year when hardy flowers in the open ground are scarce. 
Some cultivators plant it under glass, but it must be grown 
cool and under the influence of all available light to render 
the flowers as durable as those grown in the open. The pale 
blue of the type gives place in this variety to white, with the 
usual yellow band running along the middle of the falls. In 
size the flower is somewhat similar to that of the bulbous 
I. Histrio, but even in the typical form the colour is more 
uniform. R- 
