GARDEN FLOWERS. 3O3 



Polyanthus. See Primula. 



PoLYGALA. [Polygalaceae.] A large family, of which the 

 greenhouse species are chiefly important. P. fastigiata^ pur- 

 purea^ and umhellata are pretty, hardy annuals ; and P. al- 

 pestris, rubella, and paucifolia are very showy perennials. 

 All are of easy culture in garden soil. 



Polygonatum. Solomon's Seal. [Liliacese.] Hardy her- 

 baceous perennials. Common soil. Increased by division. 



P. latifolium (broad-leaved) ; hardy perennial ; 3 feet ; flowers 

 white, in May; Germany; 1802. P. multiflonwi (many-flow- 

 ered) ; hardy perennial ; 2 feet ; flowers white, in June ; Britain. 

 P . vulgare {zox^vOiOTi) \ hardy perennial; 2 feet ; flowers white, 

 in May ; England. There is a vzritiy Jiore-pie7w. 



Polygonum. Persicaria. [Polygonace^e.] A large genus, 

 not remarkable for floral attractions. There are, however, 

 exceptions. P. orienfale, a common hardy annual, which is 

 best self-sown, grows four or five feet high, much branched, 

 with many gracefully nodding spikes of small red flowers, 

 which become conspicuous from their aggregation. It re- 

 quires no culture ; but, if sown artificially, it may be done 

 in May. P. ampliibium is a beautiful hardy water-plant, with 

 short floating stems, and rosy flower-spikes. P. divaricatum 

 is a pretty hardy perennial, densely branched, forming a 

 large mass, covered widi feathery-looking bunches of creamy- 

 white flowers. It is of the easiest culture in common soil, 

 and increases by division. P. vacci7iifoliuin and Brtinonis 

 are beautiful rock-plants : they increase by their self-rooting 

 trailing branches, but are tender in the Northern States. 



P. ainphibium (amphibious) ; hardy aquatic perennial, float- 

 ing ; flowers rose, in July ; England. P. amplexicaule (stem- 

 clasping) ; hardy perennial ; 2 feet ; flowers pink, in July ; In- 

 dia ; 1837. P.Brunotns{Brov7n''s>)', hardy evergreen perennial ; 

 I foot ; flowers pink, in August ; North India ; 1845. ^- divar' 



