ii2 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



PLUMBAGO (see Plate XXII) 



Leadwort. A genus comprising hardy perennial herbs, 

 in addition to the popular South African P. capensis, a 

 scandent shrub, whose pale blue flowers are borne well- 

 nigh continuously, and which is admirable for planting out 

 either in the greenhouse or stove, as well as for summer 

 bedding. There is a white-flowered variety. The flowers 

 are produced on young wood, so that cutting hard back after 

 flowering, and allowing the plants to rest in winter by keep- 

 ing them on the dry side, are advisable. Propagation by 

 cuttings of nearly ripe wood. The soil should be good 

 fibrous loam, sand, and a little peat. 



POLYGONUM 



Differing vastly from most of its many fellows, P. bald- 

 schuanicum (see Plate XXIII) is a free-growing climber of 

 considerable beauty, with sprays of rosy-tinted flowers pro- 

 duced in summer and autumn. It appears to best advantage 

 when rambling over bushes, or draping some little-valued 

 tree. It may be cut down by frost, but it soon grows again. 

 Grafting on pieces of its own roots is the surest method 

 of increase. The North American P. cilinode is a vigorous 

 climber, which is covered with small, white flowers in autumn. 



POTHOS 



Tropical climbing Aroids, branching freely, the lower 

 branchlets rooting, of spreading habit above. Few are 

 in general cultivation. P. celatocaulis, Borneo, is useful 

 for covering walls and the stems of tree ferns ; its rich 



