The species is very pretty and graceful, from the abun- 

 dance of crimson spikes which it produces ; but it is inferior 

 in beauty to the P. vacciniifolium from the Himalayan moun- 

 tains, which is a trailing shrub, and would be an acquisition 

 to our gardens. 



P. amplexicaule itself is a hardy perennial, growing three 

 or four feet high, and flowering in July and August. It 

 should be treated as an amphibious plant, so that its roots 

 may be within reach of the water ; it is therefore well 

 adapted for planting on the margins of lakes or ponds. 



It maybe increased freely by dividing the old plant when 

 in a dormant state, or from seeds sown in the spring ; but 

 the seedlings, like most true perennial plants, will not flower 

 before the second season. 



