A YEAR'S GARDENING 



cuttings set in a cold frame in summer, but the blue may also be 

 raised from seed sown in pots in the greenhouse or the frame, and will 

 flower in the second year. Pruning should be done in February by 

 cutting the young shoots to about two-thirds of their length and 

 removing all weakly growth. 



^ PELARGONIUM. This genus includes the so-called Geranium, 

 more properly termed Zonal Pelargonium, which, in its many varieties, 

 is so useful as a " bedding-out " plant, not only, because of its 

 brilliant-coloured flowers, ranging from white to vivid scarlet, but 

 also because of the beautiful variegated foliage it has now been made 

 to assume. There are also a great number of double-flowered 

 varieties which are excellent for pot culture but not so well suited 

 for borders. Another section of the Pelargonium is the Ivy-leaved, 

 valuable wherever a drooping habit is required (in window-boxes, 

 for instance, or in garden vases), but they are somewhat tender and 

 should be treated accordingly. The number of the varieties in 

 Pelargoniums is so enormous that it is impossible to give a list here, 

 but a few of the Zonal Pelargoniums best suited for borders are: 

 Vesuvius, Beckwith's Pink, Queen of Whites, King of Bedders, and 

 James Kelway. 



PENTSTEMON. Both for the border and the Rock Garden the 

 Pentstemon, in one or other of its many varieties, is admirable. 

 For the border P. barbatus, a tall and handsome plant with spikes 

 of bell-like flowers of charming pink, is one of the best, and its variety 

 Torreyi, with flowers of deep scarlet, is equally good, but though 

 generally described as hardy perennials they are both a little 

 tender and thrive best in a warm soil with some protection during 

 winter. For the Rock Garden P. glaber, of dwarf habit, with blue or 

 violet flowers; P. Menziesii, of shrubby growth and flowers of 

 reddish-purple; and P. heterophyllus, with flowers of blue deepening 

 to purple, are all excellent. Pentstemons may be grown either from 

 cuttings or seed, but they are a little tricky in culture and need a 

 good friable soil, well drained. 



PERIWINKLE. SeeViNCA. 



PETUNIA. A showy half-hardy plant with large, rich blossoms 

 embracing a great variety in shades of colour, marking and form. 

 The single-flowered kind are useful for borders, producing a charming 

 effect when properly massed, and may be raised from seed sown in 

 heat in February or March, by which means good plants may be 

 obtained for planting out by the end of May. The double-flowered 



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