1900 SUPPLEMENT—RECENT INTRODUCTIONS, &C. 589 
PEPEROMIA. To the species described on pp. 74-5, 
Vol. IIIL., the following should be added : 
P. inquilina (tenanting). J. small, green, fleshy, orbicular. 
Stems red. Central America, 1892. A small, trailing species. 
P. metallica (metallic).* 2. alternate, lanceolate-oblong, dark 
green, with metallic reflections, and having a pale greenish 
stripe along the midrib, and reddish veins beneath. Stem 
reddish or violet. A. lft. Peru, 1892. A charming plant. 
(I. H. 1892, t. 157.) 
P. obtusifolia (obtuse-leaved). The 
P. clusiefolia. 
P. Sandersii (the correct spelling). 
regarded as distinct from this species. 
P. heterostachua (leaves with pale ribs), P. pellucida, P. puberula 
(Ref. B., t. 302), and P. tithymaloides (SYN. P. magnolicefolia) 
have also been introduced. 
PEPPER, CHINESE or JAPANESE. ‘ee 
Xanthoxylum piperitum. 
PEPPER VINE. See Ampelopsis bipinnata. 
PERAPHYLLUM (from pera, a pouch, and phyllon, 
a leaf; in allusion to the membranous expansion of the 
calyx). Orp. Rosacew. A monotypic genus. The species 
is a hardy, much-branched shrub, formerly included under 
Amelanchier (which see for culture). 
P. ramosissimum (much-branched). ff. Zin. across, erect, in 
small, sub-sessile, erect, branched corymbs ; petals white with 
a rose disk, orbicular. May. fr. 4in. in diameter, globose, 
fleshy, edible. 7. lin. to 2in. long, obovate-oblong or narrowly 
oblanceolate, narrowed to a short petiole, entire, at first silky- 
correct name _ of 
P. Verschafeltit is now 
oe h. 2ft. to 6ft. Western North America. (B. M. 
PERENNIALS. Thongh the term is frequently 
employed of plants generally which flower season after 
Season, yet it is oftener restricted to Herbaceous Perennials, 
a group of plants quite indispensable in the border. Any 
plant that lives for upwards of two years, and produces 
soft or succulent stems which die down every year, the 
roots remaining alive and sending up fresh growth the 
following year, is commonly designated a Perennial. The 
number of kinds and varieties of even bardy Herbaceous 
Perennials is immense, and constantly being added to, 
forming one of the charming features of the garden; in 
fact, without these plants our borders, shrubberies, bog 
gardens, and wild gardens would lose their brightest 
ornaments. 
The cultivation of Perennials entails a considerable 
amount of knowledge, especially as to soils. Some 
require a moist, shaded position; others succeed best in 
a dry, hot aspect; while others will answer in almost 
any position and soil. Fortunately, the bulk of Herbaceous 
Perennials come under the latter category, and will give 
pleasing results in any ordinary garden soil that has 
been moderately manured. If the soil is heayy, a dressing 
of long strawy manure and road-scrapings dug in deeply 
will prove beneficial ; if light and porous, cow manure and 
marl or clay will render it heavier and more retentive 
of moisture, digging in these ingredients during the 
autumn or winter, and planting the Perennials in the 
early spring. 
In planting, a knowledge of the height, blossoming, 
and colour period is essential, so as to have the tall 
plants at the back of the border and the dwarf ones in 
front; and also that the colours may blend well when 
in flower, and so distributed that the flowers are not in 
a mass in one part and unrepresented in another. Further, 
the choice should be so made that as one plant goes ont 
of blossom, another in proximity shonld be commencing, 
thus giving a succession of blossom. 
Nearly all Perennials are easily increased by division, 
euttings, or seeds. Taking division first, this is a 
necessity with many kinds, otherwise they become so 
overcrowded that their beauty is spoiled. In all cases 
it is advisable to divide big clumps by hand instead of 
by cutting them through with a sharp spade or knife, 
which injures both roots and growths. At the time when 
new growth is being made is the most suitable period 
for division, the plants suffering less by check then than 
at any other season, 
Practically all Herbaceous Perennials root rapidly from 
cuttings put in during the early spring, and inserted in a 
sandy compost in cold frames or under hand-lights, keeping 
them close for a fortnight or so, and shaded from bright 
son until established. Afterwards the young plants 
Perennials—continued. 
should be gradually exposed to the light and air, and 
when ready, planted out where they are intendeg to 
blossom. Such plants as the Herbaceous Phlox usually 
produce immense heads of blossom the same season as 
the cuttings are inserted. 
The raising of plants from seed is full of interest, as 
not only are such the most vigorous, but there is always 
a possibility that new varieties may be produced through 
cross-fertilisation by insects. Some seeds lie dormant a 
long time if not sown immediately they are ripe, as, for 
instance, Primula japonica, which germinates directly if 
sown at once when ripe; but if kept a few months, it 
will remain dormant for nearly two years. As this 
applies to many other Perennials, the seeds ought to be 
sown when ready in cold frames in boxes or pans, and 
when large enough the seedlings should be pricked ont 
in nursery-beds, and finally planted out where they are 
intended to flower. x 
To give a list of all Perennials would occupy more 
space than can be spared. We must, therefore, limit 
the selection to some of the more noteworthy, referring 
the reader for the chief of the Alpines to Alpine Plants. 
In the genera enumerated may be fonnd some of the 
finest of hardy Herbaceous Perennials : 
Acanthus Dictamnus Myosotis 
Achillea Dodecatheon Nepeta 
Aconitum (all parts Doronicum Qnothera 
of plant poisonous) Dracocephaluin Omphalodes 
Adonis Echinops Onobrychis 
Alstromeria Epilobium Ononis 
Althea Epimedium Orobus 
Alyssum Eranthes Ostrowskia 
Anchusa Erigeron Peonia 
Anemone Erodium Papaver 
Anemonopsis Eryngium Pentstemon 
Antennaria Erythronium Phlomis 
Anthericum Ferula Phlox 
Aquilegia (Hybrids) Francoa Phugelius 
Arabis Fuchsia Physalis 
Armeria Funkia Physostegic. 
Arnica Gaillardia Phytolacca 
Arum Galega Platycodon 
Arundo Gentiana Plumbago 
Asclepias Geranium Polyugonatum 
Asphodelus Gerbera Polygonum 
Asters (Michaelmas Geum Potentilla 
Daisies) Gladiolus Primula 
Astragalus Glaucium Prunella 
Baptisia Gynerium Pyrethrum 
Bocconia (but needs Gupsophila Ranunculus 
to be restricted as Hedysarum Rhexia 
to roots) Helenium Romneya 
Borago Helianthus Rudbeckia 
Buphthalmum Helichrysum Salvia 
Helleborus 
Hemerocallis 
Saponaria 
Saxifraga 
Calandrinia 
Calceolaria 
Callirhoe Hesperis Scabiosa 
Campanua Hibiscus Seilla 
Carnation Hyacinthus Scutellaria 
Cassia Hypericum Sedum 
Catananche Iberis Silene 
Centaurea Incarvillea Stsyrinchium 
Centranthus Inula Spigelia 
Chelone Tris Spirea 
Chrysanthemum Kniphofia (Tritoma) Statice 
Cimicifuga Lathyrus Stokesia 
Clematis Liatris Stulophorum 
Colchicum Lilium Thermopsis 
Commelina Linaria Tiarella 
Convallaria Linum Tradescantia 
Coreopsis Lobelia Tricyrtis 
Coronilla Luptnus Trillium 
Cortusa Lychnis Trollius 
Corydalis Lythrum Tropeolum 
Crambe Malva Verbascum 
Cyclamen Meconopsis Teronica 
Cynara Medicago a 
Cypripedium Melittis Vinca 
Delphinium Menyanthes Viola 
Dentaria Mertensia Zatischneria 
Dicentra Monarda 
PERESKIA. To the species described on p. 76, 
Vol. III., the following should be added : 
P. aculeata rubescens (reddish). 7. glaucous-green above, 
tinged with red below. Spines on the old stems shorter 
and more numerous in each cushion than in the type. 
lanceolata and rotunda are two other varieties. 
P. lychnidifiora (Lychnis-flowered). jl. aprieot-yellow, large, 
Rose-shaped, solitary and terminal; petals toothed and 
fringed at the ends; stamens very short, with yellow anthers. 
