Virginian Poke

Virginian Poke (Phytolacca) - This N. American perennial, P. decandra, is from 5 1/2 to nearly 10 feet high, with reddish stems and flower stalks. The flowers, on cylindrical spikes, are at first white, but afterwards change to a delicate rose. In autumn the color of the leaves is in rich contrast to the purplish-black berries, closely set on columnar spikes. It grows in almost any kind of soil, and is raised from seed or division. It is scarcely refined enough in leaf for the flower garden, but is effective near the rougher approaches of a hardy fernery, in open glades near woodland walks, or in any like position. There is a garden form in which the leaves are variegated with rose and white. P. acinosa, the Indian Poke, comes from the Himalayas, and, while much resembling P. decandra, is a little less tall, with its berries in drooping clusters instead of held erect. P. icosandra is a bushy plant, 2 to 3 feet high, the leaves similar to those of a Hydrangea. It has rather long spikes of creamy-white flowers, succeeded by fruit-clusters similar in size and shape to Indian Corn, but composed of ripe Blackberries. Should have the same treatment and position as P. decandra.

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