326 bkeck's new book of flowers. 



mental, being large and balloon-shaped. Blue, with a 

 white variety and often semi-double. Culture the same 

 as that of Campanula. 



POLEMONITJM.— Greek Yalekian. 



[From a Greek word meaning wari of doubtfal application.] 



Polemonium C«eriileiim. — Jacob's Ladder. — This is one 

 of the old standard border-plants, with blue flowers. The 

 common name of Jacob's Ladder is from its beautiful pin- 

 nately-cleft leaves. It has lively blue flowers, nodding on 

 the ends of the branches. There is a variety with white 

 flowers. It is a perfectly hardy perennial, and of easy 

 cultivation, flowering in June ; one and one-half foot high. 

 Propagated by seeds or division of the roots. 



POLIANTHES.— Tuberose. 



[From the Greek words for many ^\\'\ flower. 1 



Polianthes tuberosa. — The Tuberose. — A native of In- 

 dia, and very popular on account of its highly fragrant 

 flowers. In the warmer parts of the European continent 

 it thrives as well as in its native soil. In Italy, Sicily, and 

 Spain, the roots thrive and propagate with ease when they 

 are once planted. The Genoese cultivate it and send the 

 roots annually to England, Germany, Holland, and France, 

 and from thence it comes to this country. These imported 

 roots thrive much better than those raised here. This 

 plant has long been cultivated in English gardens for its 

 extraordinary beauty and fragrance. 



