POLYGONUM 79 



Phlox was introduced from Texas in 1835, and, being a 

 Half-hardy Annual, it lent itself readily to the process of 

 selection. The red-flowered type was soon made to yield 

 other colours, until now there are white, salmon, crimson, 

 scarlet, purple, rose, and buff strains that come wonderfully 

 true. In some strains the flowers are extra large, in others 

 the plants are dwarf, and in others the flowers are stellate. 

 It will thus be seen that P. Drummondii is now a host in 

 itself, providing a wide range of form and colour. 



Sown in gentle heat in March or April, the seeds soon 

 germinate, and the seedlings must be placed in boxes as 

 soon as possible and given sufficient room to make sturdy 

 plants. Hardening off is an easy matter, and should be 

 carried out so that the plants are ready for planting in 

 early June. It is a good plan to pinch out the central point 

 when the plants are quite young to ensure a bushier growth, 

 and it is also desirable that the growths be pegged down 

 at intervals after the plants are growing freely out-of-doors. 

 Phlox Drummondii to a large extent takes the place once 

 occupied by Verbenas, though the latter are again coming into 

 favour. As pot plants, and for window boxes, these Phloxes 

 are well adapted, while for bedding and edging they have few 

 rivals. 



POLYGONUM 



" Knot Grass " 



One member only of this large family is an Annual, and 

 a hardy one at that. This is Polygonum orientale {Polygonacecs), 

 of branching, bushy habit, about 4 feet high, but capable 

 of reaching much higher if planted in rich soil and given 

 a sunny position. It does very well when sown in the 

 open in April, but if large plants are needed for sub-tropical 

 effects then the seeds are best sown in heat in March and 

 the plants potted, hardened off and planted out in early 

 June. If plenty of room is afforded for development and 



