g they become quickly
furnished with leaves and flowers. These Phloxes make good edgings.
Notwithstanding their dead appearance in winter, a capital suggestion
occurred to me by an accidental mixture of croci with the Phlox. At the
time when the latter is most unseasonable the crocuses, which should be
planted in the same line, may be seen coming through the browned
foliage. When in flower, the blooms will not only be supported by this
means, but also be preserved from splashes; when the crocuses are past
their prime, the Phlox will have begun to grow, and, to further its well
doing, its stems should be lifted and the then lengthened foliage of the
crocuses should be drawn back to the under side of the Phlox, where it
might remain to die off. This would allow the Phlox to have the full
light, and the arrangement would be suitable for the edge of a shrubbery
or border of herbaceous plants, or even along the walks of a kitchen
garden.

[Illustration: FIG. 74. PHLOX FRONDOSA.

(Plant, one-sixth natural size; 1, natural size of flower.)]

The Phloxes are easily propagated, either from rooted layers or
cuttings. The latter should be put into a good loam and kept shaded for
a week or two. Early spring is the best time.

Flowering period, March to May.

Physalis Alkekengi.

WINTER CHERRY; _Nat. Ord._ SOLANACEAE.

This plant begins to flower in summer; but as a garden subject its
blossom is of no value; the fine large berries, however, which are
suspended in orange-yellow husks of large size, are very ornamental
indeed, and form a very pleasing object amongst other "autumnal tints."
It is not till October that the fruit begins to show its richness of
colour. The plant is quite hardy, though a native of southern Europe; it
is also herbaceous and perennial, and it has been grown in this country
for 330 years. Still, it is not to be seen in many gardens. An old
common name for it was "Red Nightshade," and Gerarde gives a capital
illustration of it in his Herbal, under the name _Solanum Halicacabum_.

_P. Alkekengi_ grows to the height of about two feet. The stems of the
plant are very curious, being somewhat zigzag in shape, swollen at the
nodes, with sharp ridges all along the stems; otherwise, they are round
and smooth. The leaves are produced in twins, their long stalks issuing
from the same part of the joint; they are of various forms and sizes,
but mostly heart-shaped, somewhat acute, and 2in. to 4in. long. T