*Polygonatum multiflorum (Solomon’s Seal).—This, one of the most graceful of our native plants, is too distinct and pleasing in aspect to be omitted from an enumeration of ornamental subjects. It is best suited for a shady position under trees, or the fringes of shrubberies, or groups of tall and widely-branching plants, where its elegantly arching stems and pretty pendent flowers would attain greatest perfection, and exhibit a very marked contrast to the surrounding types of vegetation. A well-drained, sandy, and peaty soil will be found to suit it best, and it is well adapted for the wild and semi-wild parts of the pleasure-ground. Easily multiplied by division of the rootstocks.
*Polygonum cuspidatum (Sieboldi).—Forms large and noble tufts of lively green, which increase in beauty from year to year. It grows to a height of 3½ ft. to 6 ft. and more, the stems being at first erect and simple, then becoming much branched, the branches arching, and spreading nearly horizontally at the top. The white flowers, which are disposed in clusters forming close panicles, are succeeded by handsome rosy-white fruit. When planted singly, and away from other subjects, its head assumes a rather peculiar and pretty arching character; and therefore it is not quite fit for forming centres or using in groups, so much as for planting singly on the turf, there leaving it to take care of itself and come up year after year. In this way it would be particularly useful in the pleasure-ground or diversified English flower-garden. It is also good for any position in which a bold and distinct type of vegetation is desired, while of course, when we come to have fine groups of hardy “foliage-plants” in our gardens, its use will be much extended. The deeper and better the soil, the finer will its development prove. You cannot make the soil too deep and good if you want the plant to assume a very striking character. It runs very much at the root in all directions horizontally just below the surface of the soil. By cutting away the runners, and thus concentrating the sap in the central stems, tufts have been obtained from 9 ft. to 13 ft. high, and as much across. Japan.
Polymnia grandis. (See Montagnæa heracleifolia.)
Polymnia pyramidalis.—A free, bold, and tall plant, with somewhat of a sunflower habit, but withal very fine, and making a tall green growth by the end of July, before many other things used in this way begin to push. The leaves are not so large as those of the other species, and differ in shape, being nearly cordate; but the growth is vigorous, and the habit distinct. It pushes up a narrow pyramidal head of foliage to a height of nearly 10 ft. in Paris gardens, and will be found to do well in the south of England. Easily multiplied in spring by division or cuttings from plants placed in heat in January, or from seed sown in a pot. The species Uvedalia and maculata are rather coarse herbaceous plants, fitted for rough places in warm positions, and deep, rich soil. New Granada.
*Pontederia cordata.—One of the handsomest water-plants in cultivation, combining gracefulness of habit and leaf with beauty of flower. It forms thick tufts of almost arrow-shaped, erect, long-stalked leaves from 1½ ft. to more than 2 ft. high, crowned with the handsome blue flower-spikes, which issue from the leafstalks just below the base of the leaves. It should be planted in shallow pieces of water. Multiplied by division of the tufts at any season. N. America.
Pothos acaulis.—A noble plant of the Arum family, with huge simple dark-green leaves, forming a magnificent rosette. It requires stove treatment in winter and spring, and having made its growth and been hardened off under cover, it may be placed out in the open air in sheltered warm places in the southern counties, from the middle of June to the end of September. It, however, sometimes suffers from cold, and is on the whole only likely to be of very partial use. Among the other large Aroids which have been tried in Battersea Park, the best are Philodendron macrophyllum, P. Simsii, and Anthurium Hookeri. Being rather tender they all require a very warm and well-sheltered position. W. Indies.
*Rhaponticum cynaroides.—A hardy perennial from the Pyrenees, 3 ft. or more in height, with a rigid, simple, furrowed stem, and lobed or entire oblong radical leaves, covered underneath with silvery down. Flowers solitary, purple, in very large heads. It thrives in a deep, substantial, moist, but well-drained and free soil. This and, to a smaller extent, the following species are worthy of a place in full collections of hardy fine-leaved plants, for borders, the margins of groups, and, in the case of R. cynaroides, for isolation. Both are easily increased by division.