358 Iberbaceous flMants. 



leaves ; leaves large, oval-oblong, sometimes heart-shaped, 

 stalked. Forms a nice mass of foliage and flowers and is 

 particularly attractive on the margins of water or as a back- 

 ground in moist places of a rockery. It may also be grown 

 as a specimen on the lawn. This species is better in every 

 particular than the much larger P. SacJialiense which, al- 

 though very ornamental, is apt to spread and become a weed. 

 Both thrive best in a rich and moist soil and in half-shady 

 positions. 



Rhubarb, Ulieum palmatum. This is a handsome foliage 

 plant with large, palmately lobed leaves, and tall, leafy 

 panicles of creamy-white flowers. It forms a nice specimen 

 on the lawn, in or out of flower. Even the common rhu- 

 barb may be employed for ornamental purposes, as very 

 few foliage plants are more attractive. Rhubarbs should 

 be grown in well worked and fertile soil in order to develop 

 as large leaves as possible. 



THE SPURGE FAMILY. 



Flowering Spurge, Eupliorlna corollata. A branching, 

 slender and graceful plant about two feet high, very light 

 and airy in appearance. Leaves ovate or linear on the upper 

 branches, few ; alternate below, opposite above ; the five 

 bracts around the greenish flowers, white, petal-like, form- 

 ing numerous corolla-like involucres. Floriferous and orna- 

 mental, flowering late in the season. Will thrive well in 

 rockeries in dry and gravelly soil in sunny and exposed 

 positions. 



Palma-Christi, Ricinus communis. This well-known 

 plant may be used for foliage groups with good effect. The 



