Subtropical Gardening. . 51 



approaches of a hardy fernery, open glades near woodland walks, 

 or any like positions. 



POLYGONUM CUSPIDATUM. This is an unusually large herba- 

 ceous species of a genus which, as cultivated in our botanical col- 

 lections, does not appear likely to afford an elegant or a graceful 

 subject for our gardens. But it is one of the best hardy things 

 which can be recommended for their embellishment. The growth 

 is rapid, the size unusual, perhaps eight or ten feet in very good soil, 

 and the bearing of the plant not at any season shabby. It is covered 

 with flowers in autumn. The same plant is often called P. Sieboldi, 

 and frequently sold by that name. When planted singly, and away 

 from other subjects, its head assumes a rather peculiar and pretty 

 arching character, and therefore it is not quite fit for forming 

 centres or using in groups, so much as for planting singly on the 

 turf, there leaving it to take care of itself and come up year after 

 year. In this way it would be particularly useful in the pleasure 

 ground or diversified English flower garden. It is also good for 

 any position in which a bold and distinct type of vegetation is de- 

 sired, while of course, when we come to have fine groups of 

 hardy "foliage plants" in our gardens, its use will be much ex- 

 tended. The deeper and better the soil, the finer will its deve- 

 lopment prove. You cannot make the soil too deep and good if 

 you want the plant to assume a fine character. As with tender 

 plants we have no end of attention to bestow, often daily attention, 

 the time and labour necessary to well prepare the ground for a 

 hardy subject should never be begrudged. This plant will probably 

 be also found useful for game covert. It is easily procured in our 

 nurseries, and there is plenty of it at Kew, or used to be. 



RHUS GLABRA LAciNiATA. We have known this plant for about 

 two years as a subject of much promise for garden decoration, and 

 may now be certain of its being one of the most useful and elegant 

 dwarf shrubs we can employ to furnish an attractive effect from 

 leaves. It is a small kind, with finely cut and elegant leaves, 



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