The Pentstemon

The Pentstemon has now become a recognised florists' flower, and named varieties are propagated by means of cuttings in autumn, but a splendid collection can be grown from seed. The amateur should ask for a mixed prize strain of florists' Pentstemons. He may, if he likes, grow some of the species also, such as Glaber, violet, a nice plant for the rockery; Murrayanus, scarlet; and Speciosus, violet, a good rock garden plant. These come true from seed.

Phloxes

Phloxes are on the same plane as Pentstemons. Most amateurs like to get some of the fine florists' varieties named in a previous chapter, and keep them true by cuttings or division; but mixed seed of a good strain gives some nice sorts.

The Large Winter Cherry (Physalis Francheti)

The Large Winter Cherry (Physalis Francheti), with its orange pods in autumn, is a fine and showy perennial which may be raised from seed.

The Chinese Bellfiower (Platycodon)

The Chinese Bellfiower (Platycodon) is a plant which grows steadily in favour. Grandiflorum Mariesi, with large, blue, bell-shaped flowers about a foot high, is a splendid plant, and there is a white variety of it.

The Jacob's Ladders (Polemonium)

The Jacob's Ladders (Polemonium) are handsome plants. Caeruleum, the Greek Valerian, has blue flowers, and there is a white variety of it. One of the most popular is Richardsoni (Humile), also blue, and growing about a foot high. It is a beautiful and very useful plant. The white variety of it is very desirable.

The Polygonums

The finest of the Knotweeds is that magnificent climbing shrub Baldschuanicum, one of the very best plants that we have for arbours, pillars, and pergolas. The flowers are borne in immense and graceful masses, and are white or blush. The plant comes readily from seed, and when it has got well established thinks nothing of pushing shoots from twelve to twenty feet long in one season. It is at its best in a rich, moist, heavy soil, and will be in beauty for many weeks.

The Cinquefoils (Potentillas)

The Cinquefoils (Potentillas), with their Strawberrylike leaves and brilliant flowers, single and double, are a good deal sought after.

Pratia Angulata

Pratia Angulata, a creeping plant for the rock garden, is grown as much for the large, violet berries as for the white flowers. It likes a moist, cool place.

The Primroses (Primula Species And Varieties)

The Primroses (Primula Species And Varieties) make a claim on our attention which cannot be denied. The Primrose proper (Vulgaris) is yellow, and a wilding, but florists have given us splendid strains of coloured varieties, large in bloom, rich and varied in hue, and remarkably free-flowering. Beginning to bloom in spring as small plants from the previous summer's sowing, they grow as they flower, and in rich, holding soil make huge clumps which can be divided after flowering. The New Blue Primrose is a particularly fine variety. The Polyanthus (Primula Variabilis) is scarcely inferior to the Primrose; in fact the two plants may be grown in the closest possible association. Very large flowers, and considerable diversity of beautiful colours - cream, primrose, yellow, white, rose, lilac, crimson, scarlet, blue, and purple distinguish the Polyanthus. The Ox-lip (Primula Elatior) is represented by several pretty colours. Among the species, Denticulata, lilac; Japonica, purplish crimson, best in moist places; Farinosa (Bird's-eye Primrose), lilac, silvery foliage, an early bloomer; Pulverulenta, a new violet Chinese species with mealy stems; Rosea, rosy carmine; Sikkimensis (Himalayan Cowslip), yellow; Verticillata (Abyssinian Primrose), citron, very fragrant; Villosa, rose, nice for the rockery; and Viscosa, rose, white centre, are all desirable. Seed can be got of several charming varieties in most cases; thus, Cash-miriana is a fine form of Denticulata; there are white, rose, carmine, crimson, and striped varieties of Japonica; there is a large form of Rosea called Grandiflora; and there are purple and violet varieties of Villosa. The Sieboldii hybrids are beautiful Primulas, and can be bought in mixed colours. The Primroses are so beautiful, so varied in habit and colour, so useful alike for beds, borders, and rockwork, so early blooming, so easily grown, that they are well worthy of special study.