200 
THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
officinale, a dwarf native species, which we have seen growing 
wild in the woods near Andover, Hants, growing 6 to ioin. 
high, and bearing solitary greenish-white flowers ; P. oppositi- 
folium, a Himalayan species, with stems 4ft. long and greenish- 
white flowers ribbed with red ; P. punctatum, another Indian 
species, growing aft. high, and bearing greenish-white flowers 
dotted with lilac ; P. roseum, a native of Siberia, 2 to 3ft., 
flowers rosy, borne in pairs ; and P. verticillatum, with leaves 
borne in whorls and greenish flowers, a rare native species. 
All will succeed in ordinary rich and moist soil, and are best 
planted in autumn. The plants soon spread by means of 
their creeping root-stocks, and make a fine mass of elegant 
foliage. All flower in late spring and early summer. Easily 
increased by division of the roots in autumn or early spring. 
Polygonum (Knotweed). — A genus of noble foliage or 
climbing perennials, belonging to the Rhubarb order (Poly- 
gonaceae). Some of the species are adapted by their stately 
growth for growing on grass or in borders in the wild garden ; 
some for growing on the margins of water; others for clothing 
pergolas and arches ; and some for growing on the rockery. 
Those adapted for grouping on grass, or beautifying an ugly 
corner in a suburban garden are : P. cuspidatum (Syn. Sie- 
boldi), a Japanese species, growing 8 to 10ft. high, and with 
large handsome leaves and creamy-white flowers borne in 
feathery panicles along the arching, branching stems ; P. poly- 
stachum, another species with handsome foliage and stems 
4 to 5ft. high, and pure white fragrant flowers, borne profusely 
in graceful sprays from September to November ; and P. sacha- 
linense, a native of the Sachalin Islands, with arching stems 
10 to 12ft. long, a noble plant for grouping on grass. They 
will grow in shade and do well under trees, also by the sides of 
water. P. cuspidatum has creeping root-stocks, so should not 
be planted where they are likely to overcrowd other plants. 
P. affine (Syn. P. Brunonis) is a dwarf species from Nepal, 
growing 6 to 12m. high, with green leaves changing to bronzy- 
crimson in autumn, and rosy flowers borne in dense spikes 
in September. A good plant for a moist border or margin 
of water. P. amplexicaule is a Himalayan species, growing 
2 to 3ft. high, and bearing rosy-red flowers in racemes in 
autumn. Requires similar cultivation to P. affine. P. com- 
pactum is similar to P. cuspidatum, but dwarfer, growing 2 to 
4ft. high, with reddish stems and white flowers borne in 
summer. Suitable for the mixed, shady, moist border or for 
grouping on grass." P. vaccinifolium comes from the Hima- 
layas, grows 6in. high, and bears bright rosy flowers in dense 
spikes in early autumn. Best suited for a moist rockery. A 
very showy plant. Mention must be made of two pretty annual 
