JANUARY 



IRISH GARDENING. 



mediate sorts are useful for borders or specimen 

 beds. Practically all are of easy culture in any 

 average soil ; indeed it is better not too rich if 

 moist enough, otherwise foliage is apt to 

 develop at the expense of flowers. 



Polygonum affine, from the Himalayas, is an 

 admirable species for the rock-garden or front 

 of a border. From among a carpet of leaves 

 spikes of rosy-coloured flowers are produced in 

 profusion, while later in the year the leaves 

 assume a ruddy bronze hue. 



branches of shrubs or thin trees, and is an 

 excellent plant for pergolas, for covering a 

 dead tree up to 20 feet in height, or any other 

 support which will give plenty of space for 

 development. The shoots, as they grow, be- 

 came woody, and from the ripened growths 

 beautiful panicles of blush white flowers are 

 produced in wonderful profusion. P. auberii, 

 which has recently appeared in nurserymen's 

 lists, is said by some to be superior to the pre- 

 ceding, while others declare ir to be inferior. 



Phoio by] 



Polygonum Vacciniifolium 



Growing at Mr. T. Smith's Nursery, Newry. 



[c. r. Hill 



P. alpiniini, a native of Southern Europe, 

 grows about a yard high, producing moderately 

 large leaves and beautiful feathery panicles of 

 white flowers. This is a useful border species, 

 flowering in June. 



P. amplexicaulc, from the Himalayas, is 

 somewhat similar to the preceding in form and 

 habit, but the flowers are bright red and the 

 upper leaves stem-clasping. 



P. balchchnantciim, from Bokhara, is a dis- 

 tinct member of the genus, being of twining 

 habit. This species produces long shoots 

 which raise themselves by twining round the 



Not having flowered at Glasnevin, further com- 

 ments may be deferred. 



P. bistorta, a native species frequenting moist 

 meadows, has ovate leaves, and produces dense 

 spikes of reddish-pink flowers on stems some 

 18 inches high. 



P. capitatum, a dwarf Himalayan species, is 

 best treated as an annual. It rarely exceeds 

 6 inches in height, but spreads freely in summer, 

 producing green leaves marked with dark V- 

 shaped bands and dense heads of pink flowers. 



P. cilinodc is a North-American form of trail- 

 ing habit, quickly covering any support with a 



