775 
October 1. 1904. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
Hardy Herbaceous Border. 
Autumn Flowers .—In spitei of tlie fact that' there are not 
nearly so many plants coming - into flower at this season as 
during midsummer, yet by judicious planting the borders can 
be madei to present a very pleasing appearance throughout the 
autumn 1 , and these 1 at,ei-ftowering varieties undoubtedly form 
one of the most valuable sections of hardy plants we have. 
The improved varieties of Asters or Michaelmas Daisies can 
be used with striking effect in such a position, whether one 
grows a border devoted entirely to 1 them or not, and I am 
: trcngly in favour of interspersing these with other herbaceous 
plants'. It is n.ot advisable to leave them to form big bushels 
to. the detriment of their neighbours, as is often the case, and 
young plants can be used with equally good 1 if not better re¬ 
mits. These are easily propagated by taking off cuttings in 
the autumn or spring and potting them up for a time. If 
this is done in, the autumn the plants will need wintering ini a 
cold frame, but if in the early spring they will only need to 
become rooted before planting in the position where they are 
to' flower. Such varieties a® A. cordifolius elegans and Diana, 
Enchantress, Hon. Edith Gibbs, and the like, which have a 
very graceful, semi-drooping habit, look particularly well when 
planted on or near the front of the border, so that they rise 
gracefully above the lower subjects. These varieties and 
others with a similar habit are particularly pdeasing when 
grown on one stem, a,si they are enabled to throw out the 
numerous side branches all round, and the outline is more 
effectively displayed. 
Polygonum compactum.—Several of the' Knotweeds are ex¬ 
tremely useful for the herbaceous bolder, but some of them 
are too large for planting where the space is limited, and this 
variety may therefore be considered the most useful we have, 
being of medium stature and not inclined to increase so rapidly 
at the root as some of the taller kinds. Although introduced 
from Japan some forty or more years ago, it lias not yet become 
well known, but I am sure will be a general favourite wlieni 
its merits are more fully appreciated. It forms a closei-growing 
bush about 2\ ft. in height., and the whole length of the 
branches is wreathed with short spikes of creamy-white 
flower's; and when planted in close proximity to, a batch of 
scarlet Pentstemon or Lobelia the contrast' is very pleasing. 
The 1 yo'ung shoots, in spring are also most effective, being a. 
uniform dark red. Another handsome Knot-weed is P. cy- 
mosum, which is a larger grower than the preceding, reaching 
a. height of about 5 ft. It forms a bold symmetrical bush, and 
when covered with its large trusses: of pure white flowers is 
most, conspicuous. 
Rudbeckia nitida is one of the largest and also one of the 
best, of its kind. The bright yellow flowers are from 41 in,. t,o> 
5 in. across, and produced very freely on the much-branched 
steins. It is a tall grower, between (5 ft. and 7 ft., in. height, 
and when planted as single specimens the habit is shown, to. 
the best advantage. Other names for this flue Cone-flower are 
laevigata and Autumn Glory, but it is worthy of a place in, any 
collection. 
Helenium autumnale superhum.—What Rudbeckia nitida 
is to the Cone-flowers, H. autumnale superbum is to. the Helen- 
iurns, and in spite of its great height it is quite as worthy as 
the preceding. The colour is a pale lemon-yellow, and the 
flowers are produced in great numbers on freely branching 
stems; and whether grown, in a mass or as a single stemmed 
plant, the effect is very fine. A thorough system of staking is 
necessary to prevent this plant becoming damaged by autumn 
winds. 
C jlchicum autumnale.—This is by no means the least beau¬ 
tiful of the family, and when planted thickly the flowers at, 
this season, form a. fine mass of pale mauve colouring. Under 
trees, in the shade, or in almost any position it, thrives year 
after year and increases quickly; and it does net object to 
removal when this becomes necessary. A. E. Thatcher. 
Aldeuham House Gardens, Elstree. 
The Flower Garden. 
The planting season for' spring flowering plants is rapidly 
approaching, and it is well to bear in mind the wealth of 
material at our disposal for this purpose; the large class of 
truly bulbous plants, such as Tulips, Narcissi, Hyacinths, 
SciHasi, Ohioncdoxas, etc,, many of which have been noted in 
previous calendars, afford a wide field for selection. 
Plants of the type of Anemone appemina and A. blanda will 
succeed best in positions where, annual lifting is: not necessary, 
and in most gardens, vacant spaces on, the margins of shrub¬ 
beries and flower' borders will be available for their reception. 
Of the latter class of plants the genus Adonis possesses, one or 
two species worthy of cultivation. 
Adonis 1 vernalis is perhaps the best known, and flowers about 
March. This species grows to a height of 9 in,, or 1 ft., and 
produces finely divided Fern-like leaves surmounted by bright 
yellow flowers. - 
Adonis amurensis, a Manchurian species, is somewhat similar 
to, but larger in, all, tbainl A. vernalis, and flowers also in early 
spring - . After flowering, thei loaves of both species gradually 
die down, and allow of hardy annuals being sown on the same 
positions, or half-hardy annuals may be pricked out later. For 
naturalising a fairly open ground, such as among deciduous 
shrubs, under trees 1 , and in the grass, few spring flowering 
plants are more effective than the common Winter Aconite 
Eranthis hyemalis. The flowering season extends over a long 
period, in mild seasons commencing in January, and lasting 
into March. The roots spread freely, and a, few planted about 
in open places now will soon, form a carpet, the pretty yellow 
flowers, being much admired in the early months of the year. 
Of all spring flowering plants, nonei are more effective than 
the Hepa,ticks, properly called Anemone Hepatica, but. it. should 
he borne in mind that they are impatient of root disturbance. 
Roots planted now or during the autumn will probably not 
flower to any great, extent, next, spring, but if given a per¬ 
manent position in good soil they will flower freely the fol¬ 
lowing season. Thei colour and size of flower of these plants 
have been, much improved of late year's, and many shades of 
pink, rose, blue, as well as white are now commonly seen in 
rood collections. 
The fine weather enjoyed of late has proved favourable to 
;,bei advancement, of outdoor Chrysanthemums. buclr tine 
varieties as Flora, Pierc/s Seedling, the Masse family, etc., are 
fast opening their flowers and will carry the flowering season 
. /nil-von* x\T 1 1 tun. 
necessary. 
Of late summer flowering plants the little-grown genus 
Algernons furnishes one or two species worthy of notice. 
Though really perennials, in this country they rarely with¬ 
stand the winter' without protection, and are therefore best 
treated as half-hardy annuals. 
Argeimonei hispida growsi to a height of about 2 ft. and 
branches considerably ; the stems and leaves are of a, glaucous 
colour, and the Poppy-like flowers arei white. 
A orandiflor'a is somewhat similar to, the above, while i- 
mexicana, though, similar in, habit to. the farmer, has yellow 
flowers. __ B- W- J- 
Afple Growing from the Trunk of the Tree. A very curi¬ 
ous case has been discovered in an orchard at Fant Farm, near 
Maidstone. It is the case of an Apple growing apparently direct 
from the trunk of the tree, on the middle of the stem, half-way 
between the head of the tree and the ground. Tire variety is 
Pott’s Seedling, and the tree about fourteen years old. Inis 
peculiar case may be seen from the public pathway through Mr. 
Edmund’s farm from Fant to Farleigh. When the matter comes 
to be considered there is nothing very unnatural about it, not¬ 
withstanding the singularity of the phenomenon. Buds might 
arise on the stems of various trees, and usually they arise from 
eyes that may have been latent for years. At the same time the 
development of branches from the trunk of any forest or fruit 
tree is not an uncommon phenomenon. In this particular case 
the bud had contained flowers, and this only shows that no 
branch arose, but simply a truss of flowers which gave rise to the 
fruit in question, and which appeared to spring directly from the 
bare trunk of the tree. 
