198 
THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
of moisture. Plant in spring. Increased by seeds sown in 
damp peat and leaf-mould, also by division in March or April. 
Platycodon (Chinese Balloon-flower). — A genus of 
Campanula-like perennials, belonging to the Harebell order 
(Campanulaceae). P. grandiflorum, the only species, was for- 
merly classed in the genus Campanula. It is a native of 
China and Japan, grows 6 to i8in. high, and bears large, 
purple bell-shaped flowers in July and August. The buds 
before they open are inflated like balloons. Album is a variety 
with white flowers ; album plenum, semi-double flowering ; and 
Mariesii, a deep blue variety growing 6 to gin. high. These 
plants require to be grown in light sandy loam on a dry 
border or sunny rockery. In heavy or damp soils they are 
sure to die in winter. The shoots are very brittle, conse- 
quently no attempt should be made to tie them to stakes. 
Plant in spring. Increased best by seeds sown in sandy 
soil in a cold frame in spring, and the seedlings afterwards 
planted out in boxes or pots, and kept growing in the frame 
till the following spring, then be planted out. 
Platystemon (Californian Poppy). — The only species 
grown is P. californicus, a showy hardy annual, bearing 
sulphur-yellow popp^-like flowers in summer. It grows about 
a foot high and is of a trailing habit of growth. A showy 
annual to grow in beds or masses in the borders. Sow in 
April where required to grow and thin out the seedlings to a 
few inches apart later on. A native of California and a 
member of the Poppy order (Papaveraceae). 
Podophyllum (May Apple). — Hardy perennials, belong- 
ing to the Barberry order (Berberidaceae), and adapted for 
growing in moist shady positions in the wild or woodland 
garden. There are two species. P. Emodi (Himalayan May 
Apple) has handsome leaves spotted with black and white 
cup-like flowers succeeded by coral-red berries ; height ift. 
P. peltatum (American May Apple) grows ift. high, has large 
glossy green leaves, borne umbrella-like, and waxy white 
Christmas rose-like flowers succeeded by pale yellow berries. 
Both flower in May and the berries are edible and ripen in 
July. They prefer a peaty soil. Plant in autumn or spring 
and increase by seeds sown in sandy peat in a cold frame, also 
by division in April. 
Polemonium (Jacob’s Ladder; Greek Valerian). — Hardy 
perennials of free-flovrering habit and more or less showy 
plants for mixed sunny borders. They belong to the Phlox 
order (Polemoniacese). The best known species is P. coeru- 
leum (Jacob’s Ladder), a native of moist woods and waterside 
