NOTEWORTHY PERENNIALS 141 



to a tiny Siiap(lra;j:()n hlossu!!!. The buds and llowers grow on the 

 stem as if growing on the four sides of a square. The plant grows 

 about 3 feet or 4 feet high, spreads out and has very pretty foUage 

 surrounding the graceful spikes. It begins blooming in July and lasts 

 through September. The names, Obedient Plant and Accommodation 

 Flower, are derived from the fact that the flowers remain at any 

 angle at which they are turned. 



Uses. This plant is splendid in a border, but because the flowers 

 are pale, brighter contrasting colors should be worked in around it 

 to bring the pink or lilac color out. The flowers last for a long time 

 and are very useful for cut flowers. They are good in the border be- 

 cause they bloom at a time when many other flowers have flnished. 

 They are especially efl*ective near waterfalls, along stream banks, or 

 when placed in front of dark green shrubs. 



Culture. Physostegias require a rather moist soil in either sunny 

 or shady places. The plants spread very rapidly and will tend to 

 become a nuisance unless they are divided every year or two. They 

 are of easy culture and should be planted about 2 feet apart in good soil. 



Propagation. These plants are easily started from seed, or new 

 plants can be had when the plants are divided every year. 



Platycodon — Chinese Balloon Flower 



The Chinese Balloon Flower is very closely aUied to the Cam- 

 panulas. It grows erect and the stems are rigid. The flowers have 

 five petals and open out rather flat, but when in bud they look like 

 inflated balloons, from whence the common name is derived. The 

 flowers are both single and double. They are blue and white in color 

 and sometimes will have blue or white veins which makes them appear 

 as if they had been streaked. They begin blooming about the middle 

 of June and last throughout the Summer. The Chinese Bell Flower or 

 Balloon Flower is known as Platycodon qrandiflorum and grows 3 

 feet taU. P. g. Mariesii has deep blue, bell-shaped flowers, some of 

 them nearly 3 inches across, but it is more dwarf, only growing about 

 12 inches high. 



Uses. Platycodons are splendid border plants, for the plants are 

 neat and well formed and they are in bloom all through the Summer 

 months. They are also planted among shrubbery. The flowers can 

 be cut and last well. 



