These must be included among the essential annuals for the garden. They
are one of the chief attractions of the border in the autumn, when many
flowers have passed their prime. This plant, like the Petunia, has in
skillful hands and by hybridization, developed from a very inferior
flower to one of great beauty and numerous classes, which embrace a
great many varieties. They are represented by _Dwarfs_ and by _Giants_,
ranging intermediately from five or six inches in height to two feet.
_Dwarf Bouquet_ presents a mass of flowers with scarcely a leaf, while
_Tall Chrysanthemum_ grows to the height of two feet, and the _New
Victoria_, _Giant Emperor_, _Truffant's Perfection_ and the _New
Washington_ bear immense flowers of great beauty. The last named bears
the largest flowers of any variety; sometimes they measure more than
five inches across. The _New Rose_ is of a strong habit, and the petals
of its large blossoms are finely imbricated. _Truffant's Fiery Scarlet_
and _Dwarf Fiery Scarlet_, are a novelty in color among Asters.
_Goliath_ is of a bushy form, and its flowers are very large. Fine
colors. _Victoria_ is a dwarf; snow-white, very double. The _Crown
Asters_ have white centers surrounded with various bright colors, and
are very pretty. The _Quilled Asters_ are quite distinct in character,
the petals consisting of tubes or quills with outer blossom petals
slightly reflexed. _Newest Shakespeare_ and _Diamond_ and _Meteor_ are
novelties of recent introduction, and come in numerous colors. We grew
them last year and deem them admirable.
The native country of this plant is China, hence it has been called
frequently China Aster. It had originally only a few rows of petals and
a large disk. It was first discovered about a century and a half ago, by
a missionary, and sent to Europe. It was first cultivated in France, and
the French florists have done the most toward perfecting the
flat-petaled Aster, and this style of flower is known as the French
Aster. On the other hand the Germans have sought to produce fine flowers
with tubular petals, and the quilled are therefore called German Asters.
Within a few years, however, the Germans have rivaled the French in
originating superior varieties of the flat-petaled style.
When first cultivated in France it was called _Reine Marguerite_,
meaning Queen Daisy; afterward in England it was called _China Aster_,
which means China Star.
Asters require a rich, deep soil. Twelve inches apart is a very good
distance for the large varieties, the dwarf can be set about six inches,
or even less will do. The tall kinds need to be staked, or they are
liable to be blown down, or prostrated by heavy rains. Do not tie one
string around the entire plant, but use several, and confine a few
branches with each, so that, while having sufficient support, they may
retain their natural position.