MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 149 
a filler plant during the summer. However, this filler should 
not be allowed to monopolize the ground when the poppies 
start to make their growth in the fall, for at this time they 
ow fast and winter finds them with a luxuriant crown of 
oliage that lives until frost. 
Physostegia.—False dragon-head is the common name for 
this tall native perennial. It grows 3 to 4 feet in height and 
thrives best in sunny locations. The varieties, P. virginiana 
(pink) and P. virginiana alba (white), produce showy 
spikes of flowers from July on, which are most effective 
when used in large masses against a green background. 
Pentstemon or beard-tongue.—The Pentstemon and Phys- 
ostegia may be grown in the same localities and have many 
other points of resemblance as to habit and appearance. By 
choosing certain sorts, a variety of colors may be obtained 
consisting of purple, white, blue, and violet. They bloom 
in July and August and average 2 to 3 feet in height. Some 
of the better varieties are P. barbatus Torreyi (scarlet red), 
P. Digitalis (white), P. grandiflorus (lilac blue), and P. 
pubescens (dull purple or violet). 
Phlox.—The perennial phlox is a large class of plants, 
which for showiness and attractiveness during the midsum- 
mer months cannot be surpassed. They vary in height, 
color, and time of bloom, and are to the midsummer season 
what the iris and paeonies are to the spring, and the golden- 
rod and asters are to the fall. A number of the phlox 
species bloom in early spring, such as P. subulata, and its 
varieties, and P. suffruticosa and its varieties. The midsum- 
mer varieties are usually catalogued under the names, P. 
decussata or P. paniculata, P. Drummondii of the catalogues 
being an annual. 
Rudbeckia or cone-flower—The rudbeckias, because of 
their late flowering period, are considered among the most 
attractive of the perennials. They are perfectly hardy and 
free-flowering in all conditions of weather, whether cf or 
wet. R. fulgida, an orange-colored species blooming in 
August and September, is from 1 to 3 feet high. R. “Golden 
Glow,” the most common Rudbeckia, reaches a height of 
5 to 6 feet, and blooms when the height is reached. R. 
purpurea, the giant purple cone-flower, grows from 2 to 3 
feet in height and is conspicuous because of its large red- 
dish purple flowers with drooping rays and large brown cone- 
shaped ta The flowers of all the species are well adapted 
for cutting. 
Salvia or sage.—Most people are familiar with the annual 
scarlet sage, but few know of the beauty of the blue-flowered 
