GARDEN NOTES

Otago Witness, Issue 2603, 3 February 1904, Page 10

GARDEN NOTES

ASTERS.

There ar© about 200 species of this extea- / eive genus, and many of the newer species and varieties bloom as early as July (February), and by judiciously selecting it is possible to have a bright and useful supply, of flowers for cutting right on till winter.! They are very suitable flowers for amateurs, aa they are not fastidious in regard to soil, and may ias easily be grown in towns as in the country, if a little attention is given to them. They are far more useful, because they last longer and flower more freely, than the usual olaiis of bed and border plants, and they should be more extensively cultivated. The Aster Conference of 1891 certainly revived the interest taken in th©ir culture, but their value, either as cut flowers or for their decorative qualities is still far from being recognised to th© extent they deserve. When associated with others of the autumnal flowers, such as the Japanese anemones, the double sunflowers, and the marsh ox-eyes, they ar© beautiful, and they last, too, whether cut or on th© plant, for a long time.

— The Perennial Asters — are now much grown as pot plants. A •well-worked, rich soil is most suitable for them, and they require, little after-treat-ment beyond being strongly stake<l to prevent the taller kinds from being broken by wind or heavy rain. They are seen to best advantage in a wide border, with plenty of room for developing-, especially the more vigorous kinds. The tall varieties 3hquld bt arranged at th© back— thos© of medium growth towards the centre, — whilst the dwarf varieties may be utilised for edging, or -even for rockeries, many of them attaining no more than 6in in height, and of this description are A. alpinus, with its varieties, " tht best of which are speciosus and superbus. One of the -most charming of this section, 'A. Thomsonii, should bo grown by all whoadmire these autumn-Sow ering hardy plants. Both in leafage and habit it differs from most of the asters, and flowers continuously as Wig as th© weather

remains good. For the front row in a border it would b© excellent, or even as a bedding plant, though some consider it more suitable* |for a rookery.

Perennial asters are easily propagated by division in autumn or spring, the latter being the better season. It will be found a good plan to throw away th© old stools every second year — retaining only the. stronger outside portions for replanting. If th© weather be hot and dry, mulching is most beneficial. Asters take a good deal out of the soil, and liquid manure should occasionally be given. Above all tilings avoid overcrowding; and it is well to cut back the vigorous* kinds at th© -end of th© -season to within 6in. See that other plantsof coarser growth, if sharing- the border, do not overgrow it.