404 



THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



Pavia.— See ^Esculus. 

 Pepper Bush. — See Clethra. 



Persiea vulgaris (Prunus Pen ha).— This, the common 



Peach, is represented in our gardens by several varieties, 



differing principally in the colour of their blossoms, white, 



pink, and crimson being represented amongst them. The 



Peach is by some authorities included in the genus 



Amygdalus (Almond), and by others it is classed with 



the Plums (Prunus), but here it is kept distinct from 



either. It is a popular favourite 



from the fact that its charming 



bright-coloured blossoms are borne 



quite early in the spring while the 



branches are still leafless. There is 



also a purple-leaved variety of the 



Peach. These various ornamental 



forms are propagated by budding 



on to seedlings of the common 



kind, or on to the Almond. The 



operation is carried out in July and 



August, the bud being generally 



inserted near the ground. In the 



Kevv list the varieties mentioned are: 



Flore roseo-pleno, flore albo-pleno, 



and folius rubris. 

 Philaclelphus (Mock range). — A 



vigorous free-flowering class of shrub, 



quite happy under anything like 



favourable conditions. Most of 



them can be increased by division, 



or rooted suckers may be taken 



ott, while cuttings of the growing 



shoots strike if put in a frame in 



July, or stouter ones in the open 



ground later on. There are several 



species and numerous hybrid forms 



in cultivation. Distinct species are : 

 P. COronariUS. — This is the Mock Orange or Syringa, a 



much branched bush, from 8ft. to ioft. high, with white 



flowers borne in great profusion during the month of 



May. Distinct varieties are aurea, with golden leaves, 



and Keteleeri, which has double flowers. There are 



some other half-a-dozen distinct varieties, their names being 



flore-pleno, foliis argenteo variegatis, foliis aureis, nanus, 



Satsumi, and tomentosus. 

 P. grandiflorilS. — A bold shrub ioft. or I2ft. high, 



with larger flowers than the preceding, and two or three 



weeks later in expanding. Inodorous is a synonym and 



laxus a variety. 



P. mierophyllllS. — This is remarkable among its larger 

 brethren from its size, as it forms a dense twiggy shrub 

 not more than 2 ft. high, with flowers the size of a 

 shilling. Several hybrids have been raised between this 

 and the other kinds, one of the best being Lemoinei, a 

 charming June-flowering shrub. Others are Houle 

 d'Argent (double) and Candelabre (single). 



The Mock Oranges form a very beautiful class, and 

 give great charm to the shrubbery during the early 

 summer, when the flowers are lullv open. Some species 

 are rather too powerfully scented, but their perfume is 

 fresh and sweet, whilst the leaves are almost hidden with 

 bloom, as few shrubs are more profuse. They will grow 

 in quite ordinary soil, and the smaller species, such as 

 P. microphyllus, deserve to be grouped upon the lawn in 

 conspicuous positions, as these are very pleasing, being 

 without the rather ragged unduly vigorous character of 

 the more shrubby species. An exquisite indoor decoration 

 is one composed of the flowering shoots of P. grandiflorus 

 or coronarius, arranged in a bowl, singly, and without 

 anything else for association ; keep all worn-out shoots 

 cut away. 



Plane. — See Platanus. 



PlatatlUS OrientaliS is the Oriental or common Plane, a 

 highly ornamental tree under any condition;, but particu- 

 larly valuable from the fact that it is one of the best trees 

 for London. The ordinary form has five-lobed leaves, 

 while in the variety acerifolia the lobes are generally three 

 in number, or, if five, less deeply cut than in the common 



kind. This variety, acerifolia, is frequently called the 

 London Plane, and is often confounded with the American 

 Platanus occidentalis, which in this country, at least, is 

 inferior to the Oriental kind. Planes are increased by 

 layers or by seeds, which should be sown as soon as ripe 

 in the open ground. Recent classification places 

 P. acerifolia as a distinct species, but it is usually grouped 

 with orientalis. 



Populus. — As quick-growing trees for damp pkces the 



PHILADELPHUS (Mock Orange), 



Poplars are generally planted, and some of them are 

 very handsome. They are all easily propagated by 

 cuttings, even of the stout branches, put in the open 

 ground in the autumn. The best include : 



P. alba. — The Abele or While Poplar, of which large 

 specimens are frequently met with. This forms a round- 

 headed tree that derives the name of the White Poplar from 

 the under-sides of the leaves, which when quivering in the 

 breeze give a tree a peculiarly white appearance. Bolleana 

 is of more upright growth, and now called pyramidalis. 



P. balsamifera (Balsam Poplar). — The leaves of this 

 tree are less heart-shaped than those of most Poplars, 

 while the quantity of balsamic gum with which the buds 

 are covered is another distinctive feature. 



P. nigra. — This, like P. alba, is a large tree, but the leaves 

 are not white underneath, as in that kind. The well- 

 known Lombardy Poplar, an erect tree, is a variety of 

 this. 



P. tremilla {the Asp?n). — The name of this species is 

 derived from the peculiar trembling of the foliage, which 

 in the case of a large tree gives out a sound as of running 

 water. There is a weeping variety of this which is very 

 ornamental. 



Primus (the Plum). — The Cherries, Peaches, and Apricots 

 are all included now under the head of Prunus, but they 

 are here kept distinct. 



P. eerasifera (the Myrobalan or Cherry Plum) is a very 

 ornamental tree, which has small while blossoms in great 

 profusion quite early in April. The fruits are also showy 

 and pleasant to eat. but they are seldom produced in 

 quantity. The Myrobalan Plum is sometimes used as a 

 hedge. A purple-leaved variety has, under the name 

 of Prunus Pissardi, become very popular within recent 

 years. This is also known as Atropurpurea, and is a 

 handsome tree with its deeply coloured foliage and rich red 

 fruit. It is a suitable tree to associate with the white Lily. 



P. Sinensis, also known P. japonica, is a small, much- 

 branched bush about iyd. high, with slender shoots 

 wreathed throughout the greater part of their length with 

 comparatively large double blossoms, in one form white 

 and in the other tinged with pink. 



