White Flowers 189 



does well in full sun or under the shade of trees. Propagated by seed 

 or division of the root; but great care should be exercised, for the root 

 is deadly poison and dangerous to cattle if left about. Do not plant it 

 in a kitchen garden as it much resembles horseradish roots. 



OBEDIENT PLANT (Physostegia Virginiana, var. alba). 3-4 ft. 

 Against a green background this plant makes a most beautiful effect 

 with its clustered white blooms borne on tall branching stems. It 

 spreads from the root and can easily be raised from seed. Mine are in 

 a location where the roots are well shaded in a moist situation, but the 

 tops are in full sun. Too much praise cannot be given this plant in 

 either the white or lilac varieties; see Blue Per., July. 



PEA. Perennial (Lathyrus latifolius, var. alba). 4-6 ft. This is 

 another perennial making a magnificent growth, yet it is but little 

 known in this country, though much prized in England. A single root 

 when well established will send up from six to fifteen stems completely 

 covered with clusters of flowers and buds, larger than the Sweet Pea, 

 but scentless. It should be left undisturbed; nor is it easy to lift an 

 established plant, owing to the enormously long roots that go down a 

 foot or two in the soil. Keep the seed-vessels from forming, give water 

 if the season is dry and it will bloom until frost; flourishes in any good 

 soil in any location. If planted at the base of early blooming shrubs 

 or those with naked stems it will cover the bush with bloom. Propagate 

 by seed, which is self-sowing or by careful division of the root. Give a 

 mulch if in an exposed position. There are pink, pink and white, also 

 red varieties. See Pink and Red Per. 



PLATYCODON. Wahlenbergia (P. grandiflorum, var. album). 2 ft. 

 A low spreading variety of Campanula with showy terminal flowers 

 rather flat and wheel-shaped; also blue varieties. Divide in spring, give 

 a rich well-drained loam. For further culture see Campanula. 



POTENTILLA (P. alba). 2 ft. A low ornamental plant with grayish - 

 green leaves and white flowers borne in loose cymes. Increased by 

 division of seed; thrives in any good soil. Also red and yellow 

 varieties. 



STAR FLOWER (Triteleia laxa, var. alba). Trade name MillamuUi- 

 flora. 2 ft. A delicately beautiful plant rarely offered, with narrow lily 

 leaves and loose airy clusters of pure-white star-shaped flowers borne 

 on tall branching thread-like stems, the flowers numbering from 8-20 

 on a single stalk. Cover lightly in the winter, give a sheltered position. 

 Mine has full sun on the plant, but shade on the roots from a southern 



