proved suitable in every way.

Flowering period, July and August.

_P. c. compactum_ is a variety of the above. It is, however, very
distinct in the way implied by its name, being more compact and rigid,
and not more than half as tall. The leaves, too, are somewhat crimped,
and of a much darker colour, the stems are nearly straight and ruddy,
and the flowers are in more erect racemes, the colour yellowish-white.
It forms a handsome bush, but is without the graceful habit of the type.
Like the other knotweeds described, it enjoys a sandy loam, and requires
nothing in the way of special culture. The roots may be transplanted or
divided when the tops have withered.

Polygonum Filiformis Variegatum.

KNOTWEED; _Nat. Ord._ POLYGONACEAE.

Very hardy and effective. I simply mention this as a foliage plant. The
leaves are large, drooping, and finely splashed or marbled with pale
green and yellow, in shape oval-oblong, being crimped between the veins.
It is a scarce variety. Fine for the sub-tropical garden. Culture, the
same as for all the Knotweeds.

Flowering period, late summer.

Polygonum Vaccinifolium.

VACCINIUM-LEAVED KNOTWEED; _Nat. Ord._ POLYGONACEAE.

It may seem odd that we should go into the Dock family for plants and
flowers for our gardens; still we may, and find some truly beautiful
species. The above-named is a charming alpine, coming from the
Himalayas, and proves perfectly hardy in our climate; it is seldom met
with and cannot be generally known, otherwise it would be more
patronised; it forms a pretty dwarf shrub, with woody slender stems,
clothed with small shining foliage.

The flowers are very small, resembling those of the smaller ericas, and
of a fine rosy colour; the unopened ones are even more pretty, having a
coral-like effect; they are arranged in neat spikes, about 2in. long,
and tapering to a fine point; they are numerously produced all along the
procumbent branches, becoming erect therefrom. As the specific name
denotes, the leaves are Vaccinium-like--_i.e._, small and oval, like
box, but not so stout; they are closely set on the stems, are of a pale
shining green, and somewhat bent or rolled. The habit is exceedingly
neat, and, when in flower, a good specimen is a pleasing object; it is
only a few inches high, but spreads quickly.

On rockwork it seems quite at home. My example has shade from the
mid-day sun, and, without saying that it should have shade, I may safely