Polygonatum Polygonum. 175 



for a shady position under trees, or the fringes of shrub- 

 beries, or groups of tall and widely-branching plants, 

 where its elegantly arching stems and pretty pendent 

 flowers would attain greatest perfection, and exhibit a 

 very marked contrast to the surrounding types of vegeta- 

 tion. A well-drained, sandy, and peaty soil will be found 

 to suit it best, and it is well adapted for the wild and 

 semi-wild parts of the pleasure-ground. Easily multiplied 

 by division of the rootstocks. 



*Polygonum cuspidatum (Sieboldt). Forms large 

 and noble tufts of lively green, which increase in beauty 

 from year to year. It grows to a height of 3^ ft. to 6 ft. 

 and more, the stems being at first erect and simple, then 

 becoming much branched, the branches arching, and 

 spreading nearly horizontally at the top. The white 

 flowers, which are disposed in clusters forming close 

 panicles, are succeeded by handsome rosy-white fruit. 

 When planted singly, and away from other subjects, its 

 head assumes a rather peculiar and pretty arching cha- 

 racter ; and therefore it is not quite fit for forming centres 

 or using in groups, so much as for planting singly on the 

 turf, there leaving it to take care of itself and come up 

 year after year. In this way it would be particularly useful 

 in the pleasure-ground or diversified English flower-garden. 

 It is also good for any position in which a bold and dis- 

 tinct type of vegetation is desired, while of course, when 

 we come to have fine groups of hardy " foliage-plants " in 

 our gardens, its use will be much extended. The deeper 

 and better the soil, the finer will its development prove. 

 You cannot make the soil too deep and good if you 

 want the plant to assume a very striking character. It runs 



