OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 209 



Polygonum Filiformis Variegatum. 



KNOTWEED; Nat. Ord. POLYGON ACE^J. 



VERY hardy and effective. I simply mention this as a foliage 

 plant. The leaves are large, drooping, and finely splashed or 

 marbled with pale green and yellow, in shape oval- oblong, being 

 crimped between the veins. It is a scarce variety. Fine for the 

 sub-tropical garden. Culture, the same as for all the Knotweeds. 

 Flowering period, late summer. 



Polygonum Vaccinifolium. 



YACCINITJM-LEAVED KNOTWEED; Nat. Ord. POLYGON ACE.E. 

 IT may seem odd that we should go into the Dock family for 

 plants and flowers for our gardens ; still we may, and find some 

 truly beautiful species. The above-named is a charming alpine, 

 coming from the Himalayas, and proves perfectly hardy in our 

 climate; it is seldom met with and cannot be generally known, 

 otherwise it would be more patronised ; it forms a pretty dwarf 

 shrub, with woody slender stems, clothed with small shining 

 foliage. 



The flowers are very small, resembling those of the smaller 

 ericas, and of a fine rosy colour ; the unopened ones are even 

 more pretty, having a coral-like effect; they are arranged in 

 neat spikes, about 2in. long, and tapering to a fine point ; they 

 are numerously produced all along the procumbent branches, 

 becoming erect therefrom. As the specific name denotes, the 

 leaves are Yaccinium-like i.e., small and oval, like box, but not 

 so stout ; they are closely set on the stems, are of a pale shining 

 green, and somewhat bent or rolled. The habit is exceedingly 

 neat, and, when in flower, a good specimen is a pleasing object ; 

 it is only a few inches high, but spreads quickly. 



On rockwork it seems quite at home. My example has shade 

 from the mid-day sun, and, without saying that it should have 

 shade, I may safely say that it does well with it. The plant will 

 thrive in sandy loam and is readily increased by putting small 

 stones on the trailing stems, which soon root. 



The leafy stems, with their coral-like, miniature spires, are 

 useful in a cut state, so pretty, in fact, that it does not require 

 any skill to " bring them in." ' 



Flowering period, August to the frosts. 



Potentilla Fruticosa. 



SHRUBBY CINQTJEFOIL; Nat. Ord. ROSACES. 

 IN mountainous woods this native deciduous shrub is found wild, 

 and it is much grown in gardens, where it not only proves very 

 attractive, but from its dwarf habit and flowering throughout the 



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