POLYGON UM. 



THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



POLYGONUM, 



7 6l 



in a whorl ; the flowers, two to three in a 

 bunch in the axils of the leaves, , are 

 greenish-white, smaller than those of P. 

 multiflorutn. The fruits are red when 

 ripe, and remain hanging after the leaves 

 have fallen. 



POLYGONUM (Knotweed}. A 

 vast family, comprising 150 species of 

 world-wide distribution, the majority 

 insignificant weeds, but with several 

 noble plants well worth considering for 

 their beauty of form. They thrive in 

 any soil ; those of a bushy habit 

 should be allowed plenty of space. 

 Confinement mars their beauty, which 

 lies in the many flower-spikes rising 

 above a gracefully developed mass of 

 foliage reaching to the ground. The 



Polygonum sachalinense. 



dwarf perennials, most of which are ever- 

 green, need no support and little atten- 

 tion beyond an occasional trimming, but 

 the annuals, unless grown as single speci- 

 mens and in sheltered situations, require 

 support. Among the most remarkable 

 are the climbing kinds, which run about 

 very freely in the rougher parts of the 

 pleasure garden, need very little care, and 

 are pretty when covered with flowers 

 during autumn. 



P. affine is a pretty alpine plant of the 



Himalayas, where it grows on the wet river 

 banks and meadows, and hangs in rosy clumps 

 from moist precipices. In cultivation it is 6 

 to 8 in. high, with rosy-red flowers in dense 

 spikes borne freely in September and October. 

 P. Brunonis is similar and as desirable ; the 

 flowers, of a pale rose or flesh colour, borne in 

 dense erect spikes nearly 18 in. high, and con- 

 tinuing more or less through the summer. 



P. baldschuanicum. A plant of value for 

 draping low trees and bushes. Its sprays of 

 rose-flushed flowers come in quantity with 

 pretty effect during summer and autumn. Too 

 often it is set to climb an upright pillar, but is 

 prettier left to grow freely among shrubs or 

 along a stretch of sunny fencing, finding its own 

 way gracefully. Its rosy fruits as well as its 

 flowers make it a bright object for weeks to- 

 gether. It is hardy with a covering for the 

 roots, growing again if cut down by frost. 

 The best way to increase it is to graft it upon 

 cuttings of its own roots, other means seldom 

 proving successful. Central Asia. 



P. capitata. A pretty little plant from 

 Nepaul, with reddish trailing stems rooting at 

 every joint, small hairy evergreen leaves 

 bearing a dark V-shaped blotch in the centre, 

 and small rounded heads of flower, pale rose 

 in colour, rising just above the carpet of 

 foliage. The plant is tender, disappearing 

 with the first frosts, but it often sows itself and 

 reappears in spring ; or roots may be wintered 

 in the greenhouse, making a pretty carpet 

 under a sunny stage, or drooping from hanging 

 baskets. Seed or cuttings. 



P. chinense. A new plant from China, 

 of bushy compact habit, with many white 

 flowers in late autumn. It thrives near water, 

 and will hold up the banks of streams with its 

 strong matted roots. The flower sprays are 

 thrown well into view, are good for cutting, 

 and stand the autumn rains better than most 

 flowers. Syn. P. cymosum. 



P. cilinode. A climbing kind from North 

 America, of great vigour, a single plant 

 covering many square yards in a season, with 

 myriads of small white flowers of charming 

 effect in autumn. For covering trees, thrusting 

 its way through bushes, or to adorn a hedge- 

 side, this is one of the best, not being averse 

 to shade. 



P. compactum is a miniature of P. cuspi- 

 datum, forming a compact tuft I to 2 ft. high, 

 bearing white flowers in profusion. It flowers 

 late in autumn. 



P. cuspidatum (Japan Knotweed] is of fine 

 graceful habit, its creamy-white flowers borne 

 in profusion. It should be grown apart on the 

 turf or in the wild garden. It is easier to plant 

 than to get rid of in the garden. 



P. filiforme. The variegated form of this is 

 the plant seen in gardens, and even this 

 is scarce, though its dwarf neat stems with 

 large finely blotched leaves hanging prettily, 

 and the abundant white flowers in autumn, 

 make it well worth growing. It is fully hardy, 

 and does well in half-shade. 



P. lanigerum. A distinct species lately 



