476 FRITZ BAHR'S COMMERCIAL FLORICULTURE 



PHYSALIS FRANCHETII 

 (CHINESE LANTERN PLANT) 



If you have call for everlasting flowers, plant a few Physalis. 

 This gets its name, Lantern Plant, from the fact that it produces 

 large balloon- or lantern-shaped, red-colored calices in Fall, which 

 remain that way all Winter, even when dry, and are very decorative 

 on that account. 



Sow seed in Midsummer as you would that of other perennials, 

 and for a permanent planting select a rather moist situation. 



PHYSOSTEGIA VIRGINIANA 

 (FALSE DRAGON HEAD) 



While not two of the showiest of perennials, the Physostegias — 

 both the lilac pink and the white — are valuable both for the hardy 



border and as cut flowers. 



They start to flower in late 

 July and have stems 2- to 3-ft. 

 long covered with tubular 

 flowers which when cut will 

 last in good condition for days. 

 The plants grow easUy from 

 seed or can be increased by 

 division in September. When 

 once established, you wiU have 

 them always with you and 

 you can recommend them as 

 good perennials needing but 

 little care. 



PICEA (SPRUCE) 



As far as the florist is con- 

 cerned, there isn't a more 

 useful conifer than Picea, or 

 Spruce, particularly the Nor- 

 way Spruce. Not that it is 

 as attractive as some of the 

 others, but because of its quick 

 growth (and therefore inex- 

 pensiveness) and the fact that 

 even small 8- or 10-in. plants 

 are perfect little specimens 

 and are valuable in window 

 boxes or to be used around 

 Christmas. The plants are 

 money makers for the florist. 



l<ig. 241.— Physostbgia vihginiana is one 

 of the hardiest of perennials and a showy 

 one when planted in masses. Coming into 

 bloom in late Summer it also makes a 

 good cut flower and a welcome change from 

 the stock usually on hand at that time 



