110 MY GARDEN 



the softly coloured pink Phloxes, Peach Blow, in par- 

 ticular, with the becoming addition to the group of some 

 metallic Sea Hollies. 



I must confess to having had some trouble with this 

 Veronica; it certainly suffers from the drought, turning 

 rusty in its nether parts, and yet seems to want a full 

 view of the sun for, planted in shade, it languishes im- 

 mediately. A rich retentive soil seems to bring it to 

 fullest perfection, and it more than repays any trouble 

 bestowed upon it. A little bone meal dug in about its 

 roots in May strengthens its growth and seems to im- 

 prove the colour of its flower spikes. I have not been 

 able to raise this plant from seed, but it is easily increased 

 by division of the roots in spring or by soft cuttings. I 

 should advise planting it in spring as it is important that 

 it should be well established before winter. 



The Platycodons are closely connected with the 

 house of Campanula. There are only three kinds 

 in cultivation and they are easily raised from seed. 

 P. grandiflorum grows about two feet high and bears 

 many widely spreading steel-blue bells. The lovely 

 white var. album is faintly lined with blue and always 

 makes me think of the fresh blue and white aprons of 

 little girls. The flowers of P. Mariesi are a somewhat 

 less clouded blue and the plant is dwarf and compact. 



Chinese Bellflowers have a disadvantage in the brittle- 

 ness of their stems. After a heavy rain they will be 

 found flat upon the ground never to rise again, and 



