PERENNIAL PHLOX. 



Very few plants giv such universal satisfaction as the Perennial Phloxes. In the first place 

 they are perfectly hardy, and will come out of any winter in good healthy condition without the 



loss of a plant. Then we send them out with perfect confi- 

 dence that they will reach their destination in just as good con- 

 : dition as they leave us. The flowers, when plants get strong, 

 are immense bunches of bloom, from the purest white to crim- 

 son. Plants will keep increasing in size, and may be divided 

 at the roots every year or two. Half-a-dozen well established 

 plants, and of well selected colors, is a treasure for the garden 

 that every lover of flowers must appreciate. The Perennial 

 Phlox is one of those hardy, useful and beautiful flowers whose 

 culture we are anxious to increase, because the expense and 

 trouble is but little, and the result more than satisfactory. The 

 flower resembles that of the annual Phlox, but the clusters are 

 large, sometimes forming majestic heads of bloom. We have 

 endeavored to show the appearance of the plant when in bloom 

 in the little engraving, but we fear without much success. When in flower it is two feet or more 

 in height. Seed does not germinate very readily, unless sown as son as fully ripe, or before. 



DICENTRA SPECTABILIS. 



There are several varieties of the Dicentra, natives of America, and very pretty plants, one is 

 known commonly as Squirrel Corn, and another as Dutchman's Breeches ; 

 but the best of all is D. spectabilis, from Northern China, sometimes called 

 Bleeding Heart, from the heart-like form of the flower, and its beautiful 

 color. We well recollect the first time we saw this flower, soon after its 

 introduction from China, and that we then thought it 

 the most delicate and graceful flower we had ever seen. 

 It was then considered tender, and cultivated in conser- 

 vatories. It, however, soon proved its right to be 

 classed among our hardy plants, .where it has held for 

 twenty years an honored position. The flowers are 

 heart-shaped, deep pink, a dozen or more being borne 

 on a graceful, drooping raceme, a foot or more in length. 

 The Dicentra is also excellent for flowering in the 

 house, and furnishes in winter very agreeable foliage, as 

 well as beautiful flowers, and both quite freely. Plants may be taken up and potted in the autumn. 



IVY PLANTS. 



For a climbing plant in the garden to do duty as a screen for an old wall or building, or to 

 adorn either when new, we know of nothing in the world equal to 

 the Ivy it is so connected in our minds with ruined castles and 

 brilliant poesy that it seems to throw an atmosphere of grace and 

 beauty around every object subject to its transforming and beauti- 

 fying influence. Unfortunatley it does not prove quite hardy in 

 some Northern sections of our country, when exposed on walls, 

 not that it is injured by the cold, but by our warm winter sunshine. 

 On the North or West side of a building it usually does well, re- 

 ceiving less sun than in other exposures. Wherever the Ivy does 

 well we advise every one to grow a few ; and as the best substitute, 

 we recommend our beautiful Virginia Creeper, which is much more 

 highly prized in Europe than in America. For in-door winter 

 decoration the Ivy is unequalled, as it can be trained in any de- 

 sired form, one style being shown in the engraving, and will bear 

 more hardships and bad usage than any plant we are acquainted 

 with. Strong roots with branches from one to five feet in length should be planted. 



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