1^16 glexny's handbook 



is well known, bears numerous small flowers in clusters 

 shape-l something like an erect bunch of grapes. The Syringa, 

 or Mock Orange {PJnladelpJuis), on the other hand, bears its 

 flowers, which are large, and composed of distinct petals, 

 either singly or very few together; and they are called Mock 

 Orange from the considerable resemblance between their 

 blossoms and those of the Orange ti-ee. Most of the species 

 have a strong, but not very agreeable scent. Their leaves, 

 moreover, have a taste similar to that of cucumbers. They 

 are hardy shrubs, requiring no particular culture, but growing 

 in ordinary ganlen soil where it is not too damp, and are 

 increased eitlier by means of layers, of cuttings, or of suckers. 

 The flowers of all are white, with a bunch of yellow stamens 

 in the centre. Nearly all are worth planting. The double 

 flowering is distinct and handsome. 



PHILESIA. [Smilace^e.] Beautiful hardy or half-hardy 

 evergreen shrubs. Peat soil. Cuttings. P. hiixifoUa, half- 

 hardy evergreen shrub, flowers large rose crimson, and is very 

 pretty. 



PHILLYREA. [Oleaceae.] Desirable evergreen shrubs, 

 valuable for their foliage and habit, the flowers being white 

 and insignificant. Good garden soil. Layers or cuttings 

 under a hand-light. Ornamental Evergri-iens. — P. augusli- 

 folia, P. lavis, P. latifolia, P. ligiistrifoUa, P. media, P. 

 olecBfolia. 



PHILOTHECA. [Rutacese.] Beautiful greenhouse ever- 

 green shrubs. Sandy peat. Cuttings in sand under a bell- 

 glass. The only one of any account is P. austmlis, flowers 

 pink. 



PHLEBODIUM. [Polypodiacese.] Evergreen ferns, 

 mostly requiring a stove. P. aureum, a fine species, grows, 

 though less vigorously, in a greenhouse from which frost and 

 CL...ents of air are excluded. Turfy peat. Division. 



PHLOMIS. [Lamiaceae.] Hardy shrubs and herbaceous 

 plants. Dry loamy soil. Division, seeds, or, for the shrubby 

 sorts, cuttings. 



PHLOX. [Polemoniacese.] Beautiful hardy perennials 

 for the most part. The seedling varieties are numerous ; some 

 tall, others remarkably dwarf, and varying in colour from 

 clear white to pink, lilac, and purple, as well as striped. 



