300 GARDEN FLOWERS. 



Plectranthus. See Coleus. 



Platystigma. [Papaveraceae.] Half-hardy perennials, 

 allied to Platystemon. Light soil. Increased by seeds or 

 division. 



P. lineare (linear) ; half-hardy perennial ; i foot ; flowers yel- 

 low, in July ; Cahfomia ; 1833. 



Plectrites. [Valerianaceas.] Hardy annuals, propagated 

 from spring-sown seed in common soil ; flowers white or 

 rose. The species are P. brachystemon and congesta. • 



Pleurogyne. [Gentianaceae.] A hardy annual, thriving 

 in loamy peat, and easily grown from seed sown in May. 



P. rotata (wheel-shaped) ; hardy annual ; 9 inches ; flowers 

 blue, in August ; Siberia; 1827. 



Plum. See Prunus. 



Plumbago. Lead-wort. [Plumbaginaceae.] Pretty plants, 

 with flowers somewhat like those of the Phlox. The major- 

 ity are shrubs ; some few are herbaceous, among which is 

 P. Laj'pentce, which is of dwarf, compact habit, and suitable 

 for rock-work. P. Capmsis is a desirable greenhouse shrub, 

 which is most frequently grown too fast, and is, therefore, 

 generally seen as a rambling plant. Soil, two-thirds loam, 

 and one-third peat. The object should be to keep the plant 

 dwarf and bushy : it is sure to grow tall enough after all 

 the pains taken on it. Cuttings may be struck in sandy soil 

 with or without bottom-heat, covering them with a bell-glass 

 after inserting them. When rooted, pot them singly in three- 

 inch pots, and, as soon as they fairly start into growth, take 

 off the tops to encourage the lateral shoots : when they fill 

 the small pots with the roots, remove them to larger ones. 

 By continually checking any of the branches that ramble 

 out of shape, the plant can be grown a very pretty object. 

 It makes a fine bedding plant. 



P. Capensis (Cape) ; greenhouse shrub ; 4 feet ; flowers pale 



