FIG. 185. VICTORIA ASTER.
Victoria.* One of the most popular classes of Asters grown; flower-heads very double, imbricate, globular, 4in. in diameter, from ten to twenty on a plant, of various shades. h. 1ft., with a pyramidal habit. See Fig. 185.
ASTERACANTHA (from aster, a star, and acantha, a spine; referring to the disposition of the spines). ORD. Acanthaceæ. A handsome greenhouse herbaceous perennial, of easy culture in sandy loam. It should be grown in a sunny position, and be kept moderately dry, otherwise little but foliaceous growth will be produced; but, if thus treated, it flowers freely. Propagated by divisions in spring; or by seeds, sown in August.
A. longifolia (long-leaved). fl. yellow, in dense axillary fascicles. July. l. lanceolate, tapering to the base, narrow, sessile, serrately ciliated. Stem quadrangular. Plant rather hairy. h. 2ft. India, 1781.
ASTERACEÆ. See Compositæ.
ASTEROCEPHALUS. See Scabiosa.
ASTILBE (from a, without, and stilbe, brilliancy; in allusion to the inconspicuous flowers of some of the species). ORD. Saxifragaceæ. Tall branching herbs, with triternate or biternate leaves, allied to Spiræa, from which they differ in having not more than three carpels, eight or ten stamens, and numerous albuminous seeds. They are all more or less graceful, and some indispensable, either when grown in isolated clumps, or intermingled with other herbaceous plants. They thrive well in almost any rich garden soil, preferring damp positions, and are easily propagated by division, which is best done in early spring. A. japonica is grown very extensively for decorative purposes, its elegant spikes of pure white flowers rendering it especially valuable. The majority of the plants cultivated are imported, but they may be grown fairly well in this country in heavily manured soil. They should be potted as early as possible in the autumn, and plunged in ashes or fibre outside, when they will soon commence to root, after which they may be placed in heat, and forced as required, always giving an abundance of water. Indeed, the pots may be stood in pans of water, especially when the plants are well furnished with growth.
A. barbata (bearded). A synonym of A. japonica.
A. decandra (ten-stamened). fl. white, in spicate racemose panicles. May. l. biternate; leaflets cordate, deeply lobed and serrated, glandular beneath, and on the petioles. h. 2ft. to 3ft. North America, 1812.
FIG. 186. ASTILBE JAPONICA.