282 GARDEN FLOWERS. 



August; North America; 1823. P. linearis (narrow-leaved); 

 tender perennial ; flowers white, in June ; Mexico ; 1821. P. 

 Jexana (Texan) ; hardy annual ; flowers brownish-red, in Au- 

 gust ; Texas ; 1850. 



PALMA CHRISTI. See RICINUS. 



PANSY. See VIOLA. 



PAPAVER. Poppy. [Papaveraceae.] A genus of hardy 

 plants, containing many weeds and some showy species : it 

 comprises perennials, biennials, and annuals. Of the latter, 

 the double-flowered varieties, sometimes known as Carnation 

 and Picotee Poppies, are the most worthy of cultivation, and 

 these are really gay as well as stately plants : besides which, 

 if colors have any charm in a garden, it is almost impossible 

 to enumerate the different tints that a pinch of good seed 

 will produce. These annual kinds will overrun a garden if 

 the pods of seed are not removed before ripening. For 

 mixed or shrubbery borders, this may be no objection, as 

 plants can be left where there is space for them, and the rest 

 hoed up ; but, in the more neatly kept parts of a garden, this 

 scattering of the seed should be prevented, and a supply of 

 plants raised by special sowing. The seeds may be sown in 

 May, in patches where they are to grow, and thinned out to 

 three or four strong plants in a patch ; or, if more convenient, 

 they may be sown thinly in any open place out of the way, 

 and, when large enough, planted in the borders and beds 

 where they are wanted. Any plants which show flowers at 

 all secondary in quality should be pulled up immediately, 

 and none be left in the ground but very double and very 

 pretty ones ; the seed from these, or from the most beauti- 

 ful of them, will give good varieties another year. The per- 

 ennials want no culture, but to be planted in good garden 

 soil, and left undisturbed : they increase by seeds or by 

 division. 



