THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



larger than the 

 more familiar 

 species in every 

 way. It retains 

 its leaves longer, 

 and makes a 

 showy bed later 

 in the year. 

 When cut, 

 before soiled by 

 the weather, 

 these shoots last 

 long as winter 

 decorations. A 

 war m , fairly 

 light soil and 

 sunny position 

 suit the Physa- 

 lises best, and 

 they are raised 

 from seeds sown 

 in the open in 

 April, or by 

 root division in 

 spring. 



Pinks. — Who 



does not love the fragrant silvery-leaved Pink, which 

 makes spreading masses if not distuibed, and is 

 pretty when covered with snowy drifts of blossom. 

 It must be poor soil that will not support them, and 

 they are propagated by cuttings, or pipings as they are 

 usually called in the gardener's vocabulary. Cut them just 

 under a joint, remove sufficient leaves to leave a clear 

 space for insertion in the soil, and dibble them in light 

 soil surfaced with silver sand. Place a hand-light over 

 them and they will soon root, when they can be 

 transplanted in the autumn to the positions they are 

 to adorn. Another way is to layer them as one treats 

 the Carnation, and this method has its recommendations. 

 The white varieties are the most popular, and the old 

 fringed white has many admirers still, but the kind usually 

 seen is Mrs. Sinkins. Albino is a beautiful variety with 

 smooth, very pure, robust petals which do not fling them- 

 selves out of the calyx. Her Majesty, Mrs. Lakin, very 

 dwarf, compact and free, Mrs. Welsh, conspicuous for 

 lateness, and Snowflake are all good. White Pinks 

 make delightful edgings. A broad margin to a mixed 

 border is a rare picture in June. Beware of wireworm 

 when planting Carnations and Pinks in new soil, 

 especially if the top spit of a pasture. Very little 

 edging will remain after a few weeks. 



Laced Pinks are quaint, interesting flowers, the colours 

 being as a rule rose purple, and laid on the margin of 

 the florets, which have a pure white ground. Boiard, 

 Clara, Emerald, Empress of India, Eurydice, Harry 

 Hooper, Minerva, Modesty, Mrs. F. Hooper, and 

 The Rector are the best of the race. Plant in early 

 September. These are the Pinks grown for exhibition, the 

 markings upon the flowers constituting their chief value. 



Plantain Lilies. — See Funkias. 



Platyeodons are closely allied to the Campanulas. 

 The chief kind is P. grandiflora, which has large bluish 

 flowers, produced in clusters on the short stems. The 

 plant is not more than I Sin. in height, and wants a 

 thoroughly well-drained spot. Anything approaching 

 stagnation is fatal. Deep loam and an open spot on the 

 rock garden suit this family. Mariesi is still dwarfer, 

 bearing flowers of similar colour, but there is a white 

 variety, too. Propagate by seed and root division. 



Plumbago Larpentse is a hardy plant, with blue 

 flowers, not unlike but deeper in colour than those of 

 P. capensis. It is a neat-growing plant, requiring a 

 warm sunny place where the soil is moderately light. 

 Divide the roots in spring for increase of stock. P. 

 capensis is very useful for pulling out in large pots or 

 tubs upon the turf or terrace in summer, but it is not hardy. 

 Its soft blue flowers are usu dly seen in the greenhouse. 



Podophylllims.— Two of this family are sufficiently 



POLEMOKIUM RICH ARDSUN1 



important for 

 our gardens. P. 

 Em. di is a bold 

 perennial uiih 

 b'oad handsome 

 leaves, tinted 

 with led. and 

 large red fruits. 

 P. peltatum (the 

 May Apple) has 

 wrinkled leaves 

 and white 

 flowers in 

 spring. Both 

 r quire a peat 

 soil and shelter. 

 Frequently one 

 sees in rock 

 gardens a warm 

 recess or bay in 

 which such 

 plants as these 

 are a success. 



Polemonium.— 



A dainty family, 

 knowngeneiallv 

 as Jacob's Ladder, and should be in eveiy good garden. 

 The most common species is P. caeruleum, which has 

 very pretly blue flowers, and there are white and varie- 

 gated forms also. All the Polemoniums lejoice in 

 nch, thoroughly-drained soils, as anything approaching 

 stagnation probably means loss in winter. P. confertum 

 is a charming species, dwarf, and with deep blue 

 flower clusters, which in the variety melitum are 



to choose an especially 

 them. P. himalaica and 

 variety, and the creeping 



larger. It is necessary 

 well-drained light soil for 

 P. Kichardsoni, its white 

 P. replans are also handsome, except the first-named, 

 which is more suited for the rock garden than the 

 border. 



FolyantllUSeS are doubtless forms of ihe common Prim- 

 rose, and beautiful flowers, frequently of quaint form, 

 such as hose-in-hose, and some gold laced, that is, a 

 margin of gold colour to the petals, very rich in contrast 

 lo the centre. Though less useful and effective than the 

 Primrose for the garden, Polyanthuses, when the flowers 

 are bold and well coloured, perhaps some rich self, are 

 precious in the border in spring. They may be increased 

 in the same way as the Primrose. 



PolygOnatlim. — See Solomon's Seal. 



Polygonums. — These are known as Knotweeds, and are 

 for the most part vigorous perennials, especially Poly- 

 gonum cuspidatum, a tall, graceful plan', beautiful in a 

 group by the water-side or upon the grass, and of which 

 there is a compact form named compactum ; P. Sachali- 

 nense, wonderfully tall and robust, noble in leaf and 

 aspect ; the white-flowered P. Molle, beautiful in the 

 autumn with its plumes of blossom ; the dwart 

 P. amplexicaulis, P. Brunonis, P. vaccinifolium, and 

 the crimson P. sphaerostachyum, which deserves a place 

 in the rock garden. 



Pond-flowers. — See streamside gardens. 



Potentillas. — Quaint and interesting are the hybrids 

 raised by crossing such species as P. atrosanguinea. 

 The colours are varied and pleasing, ranging from 

 quite reddish brown lo ciimson, and the plants may 

 be easily raised by dividing the roots. Sunshine 

 and fairly light soil are essential. Several good 

 varieties are Atrosanguinea, scarlet, single ; Californica, 

 double golden yellow ; chromatella, yellow ; Nigra 

 plena, crimson ; perfecta plena, yellowish hue and 

 crimson ; Velours pourpre, purple, double ; and William 

 Roliison, orange red. Amongst the alpine species are 

 many pretly rock plants, of which a few are the following : 

 P. alba, P. alpestris, P. recta and varieties, P. pyrenaica, 

 and P. aurea ambigua. which all delight in warm, fairly 

 dry, sunny positions. 



Poppy, Mexican. — See Hunnemannia fumarfcefolia. 



