December 24, Itl* 



horticulture: 



897 



Platycodon grandiflorum 



The number of ardent admirers 

 of bellflowers is legion. A certain 

 simplicity in their form, a wonder- 

 ful purity of shade and tint, not to 

 forget the free-flowering habit and 

 excellent lasting qualities as mate- 

 rial for filling vases, distinguishes 

 most of the campanulas. This ex- 

 plains the everpresent demand for 

 seeds, plants and eutflowers, both of 

 biennial and perennial species and 

 varieties. But nearly all, and by 

 far the best, campanulas are spring 

 flowering plants. Late arrivals at 

 northern summer resorts see little 

 or nothing of their extraordinary 

 display, for, at the end of June, 

 even here in Maine, the peach- 

 leaved varieties cease flowering, or, 

 at least, show signs that they have 

 passed their prime. It is therefore 

 most fortunate that during July the ^_^„ 

 platycodons begin to open their •^— 

 buds, to remain in flower until the later part of August. 



Platycodons are natives of China and Japan. From a 

 thick fleshy rootstock they produce a number of strong 

 upright stalks, reaching a height of from 15 to 25 inches, 

 at their tops well set with buds. The diameter of the 

 fully- developed bells is 2 to 2i^ inches and in color they 

 appear in bright deep blue and in white. Platycodon 

 grandiflorum ranks among the showiest hardy peren- 

 nials for border planting and should be considered first 

 in all cases where a choice selection is desired. Their 

 resistant power to the rigidity of our winters is at least 

 as strong as that of the perennial species of campanulas : 

 in longevity they outclass the latter. 



Chinese bellflowers, as platycodons are commonly 

 called, require a rich well-drained soil and, throughout 

 the northern states, an open, sunny position. It is 

 essential to leave the young plants at first as much as 

 possible undisturbed, for it takes roots of the common Northeast Harbor, Mamie. 



LIBRA 

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'JOTANK 



Qarue 



Platycodon grandiflorum 



trade size several years to attain size and strength neces- 

 sary to produce the magnificent floral displays of old 

 well-established plantations. Under good average care 

 and proper irrigation during dry weather platycodons 

 are bound to become a permanent source of delight to 

 every flower-loving purchaser. 



The same may be said of the low-growing form 

 Platycodon grandiflorum var. Mariesi. Color and size 

 of the bells are similar to the original grandiflorum, but 

 the low growth — seven to ten inches — makes this variety 

 a very desirable plant for the rock garden. 



Platycodons can be raised from seed sown early in 

 spring or propagated by root cuttings or divisions. 

 Seedlings do not flower until first or second year after 

 sowing. 



-^cM<:L/Ld -^c/^^y^ 



Fancy-Leaved Caladiums 



(See Cover Illustration.) 



A house of fancy-leaved Caladiums in different varie- 

 ties when well grown is a beautiful sight ; but single spe- 

 cimen plants have a charm of their own which is well 

 shown in the accompanying picture. To grow specimens 

 one variety to each pot should be used, as mixed speci- 

 mens do not look well. The bulbs are started singly in 

 small pots, just large enough to admit the bulb, using 

 any ordinary light potting soil. They are then put in 

 a light, warm house, about 65 to 70 degrees at night, un- 

 til they are well rooted which will be about the time the 

 first leaf is ready to unfold. They are now ready to be 

 put together into specimens, using seed pans for the 

 purpose. Use as many bulbs as the pan will hold com- 

 fortably, leaving a little space between each to be filled 

 in with the following compost which should be prepared 

 soon after the bulbs are started: Chopped live sphag- 

 num moss, 3 parts, chopped lumps of good fibrous loam 

 2 parts, old rotten cow manure 2 parts, sand 1 part. 



To this is added a liberal sprinkling of ground bone or 

 some other good chemical fertilizer (Clay's, Shay's or 

 others). Mix the whole together thoroughly and store 

 away until ready to be used. The plants will require 

 a high temperature and lots of water until they stop 

 growing in the fall. They can then be gradually hard- 

 ened off and will be objects of beauty for a long time. 

 When the leaves begin to turn yellow water is gradu- 

 ally withheld until by the middle of November they are 

 laid on their sides under a bench to dry off in a tem- 

 perature of 55 to 60 degrees. By starting some bulbs 

 later the season can be greatly prolonged if so desired. 

 The leaves are very useful for cutting. If thrown in a 

 tub of water for 24 hours before they are wanted, they 

 will keep from one to two weeks in good condition. 



Naugatuck, Conn. 



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