AND THE. WILDERNESS BLOSSOMED 



late-blooming P. paniculata, generally referred to 

 in the catalogues as P. decussata, is probably the 

 most familiar. It grows from three to four feet 

 in height, and in some localities reaches quite five 

 feet. The colors have been varied largely by 

 hybridization, and there are many named varie- 

 ties. The original color of the type was a pink- 

 purple, with a white variety. Now we are able 

 to get these fine flowers in shades of scarlet, sal- 

 mon, crimson, lilac, violet, rosy-mauve, purple, 

 pure white, and a large number of plants with 

 these colors mixed and blended in bewildering 

 profusion. The plant is easy of cultivation, 

 needs little attention, and a bed once established 

 will last for several years. It may be reproduced 

 by dividing the roots in spring, or from seed. 

 In the latter case the seed must be planted as 

 soon as possible after ripening, for if kept over 

 till spring it is quite worthless. Do the seedsmen 

 know this ? They certainly offer the seeds for 

 sale at all times in the year. It blooms on the 

 island from August ist until frost. 



Closely akin to the above is the P. maculata, 

 which is generally referred to as P. suffruticosa. 

 This species is not so tall as the late-blooming 

 variety, rarely exceeding two feet, but its flowers 



ISO 



