394 



GARDEiSERS' CHRONICLE 



form, r. I'dfcliii, are found in great numbers in Southern 

 Florida, and are attractive in all stages of their growing 

 period. As young plants they are useful for vases, table 

 decorations and other purposes where an orgamental 

 eflfect is wanted : when mature they are very pleasing on 

 lawns, planted either singly or in groups. Fine, nicely 

 branched specimens are frequently found. 



PJulodcndron pcriusum. a striking example of a tropical 

 climber, is grown successfully in this State, and the large, 

 perforated leaves seldom fail to attract the visitor's in- 

 terest. It is an admirable plant for the covering of 

 pillars, arches and trellises, of a rather fast growth and 

 easy culture, and it is deplorable that it is not so exten- 

 sively planted as its merits deserve. 



PhyUanthus nivosus, roseo-pictits, is conspicuous for 

 its brilliant foliage, which, besides green, shows most 

 pleasing shades of white, pink and red. It is a useful 

 shrub for low hedges and shrubberies, and should be cut 

 back severely before the rainy season to induce a bushy, 

 compact growth, as it naturally is of a somewhat strag- 

 gling habit. 



The number of shrubs or trees flowering in Winter or 

 early Spring is limited to a certain extent, for, while most 

 of them bring their blossoms in Summer or early Fall, 

 others of a more tender condition do not grow satisfac- 

 torily. 



Bauhinia purpurea flowers in early Spring, its blossoms 

 resembling an orchid in shape. It is of rapid growth, 

 evergreen, and does well, even in a soil of moderate fer- 

 tility, if properly fertilized. Bauhinia triandra flowers in 

 the late Autumn and is also interesting on account of its 

 characteristic two-lobed leaves. 



Hibiscus rosa-siiiensis and its varieties is a very popu- 

 lar shrub and found in almost every garden. It forms 

 excellent specimens of enormous size when planted singly 

 and is also very attractive in shrubberies. The large- 

 sized flowers of the difl^erent colors are produced freely 

 all through the year. 



Jacobiuia coccinca, a soft shrub attaining a height of 

 about 6-8 feet, is an abundant bloomer that can always be 

 depended upon. The flowers are a vivid scarlet and are 

 most numerous in Autumn and early Spring. Jacobinias 

 should always be pruned closely, as, when left alone, they 

 grow too straggly and arc of a somewhat weedy appear- 

 ance. 



Kcrinm Oleander is one of the most floriferous shrubs 

 in this zone and commences flowering in the middle of 

 February. The number of varieties is large, ranging in 

 color from pure white to a deep red, and there is hardly a 

 garden that is without at least one plant of this handsome 

 shrub. 



Poinsettia pidcherriina ])resents its fiery scarlet flowers, 

 or rather bracts, with the first days of December, and is 

 a source of enjoyment for a long period. The middle of 

 February still sees them in their full glory and it is March 

 before they fade av\-ay. To get the best results it should 

 be planted on well-drained land, pruned closelv. and re- 

 ceive an application of connnercial fertilizer at least twice 

 a year. 



Roses can be had in flower during Winter if a high 

 culture is followed and great pains taken as to the prep- 

 paration of the soil and selection of the varieties. In 

 almost all cases, however, the efiforts will not result in 

 j)roducing the efifects that we are accustomed to see in 

 rose gardens in the North or in Europe, as the lack of a 

 dormant season and the different -climate provides too 

 manv factors completely beyond the control of the gar- 

 dener. 



Of shade trees. Eucalyptus have been latelv planted on 

 a wide scale and are a ready means to obtain a good 



showing in short time. Although they usually prefer a 

 well drained land, Eucalyptus rudis has been found to do 

 fairly well on wet ground. Of other kinds. Eucalyptus 

 robusta, rostrata, and viminalis, are largely planted. E. 

 globulus, though doubtless one of the most handsome of 

 this genus, is somewhat tender and should be planted only 

 where no frosts are to be feared. The growth of Euca- 

 lyptus, as a rule, is of an upright character, and results 

 consequently in tall, slim trees, but a bushy specimen of 

 a more compact habit can be had if the tree is judiciously 

 topped several times in its infancy. 



The rtibber trees, Ficus, are desirable as much for their 

 decorative foliage a.^ for their shade-giving qualities, and 

 thrive with comparatively little care. The most popular 

 of all is Ficus clastica. Grcvillea robusta is well liked on 

 account of its peculiar foliage, often being planted as a 

 shade tree. It is rather hardy, fast growing and some- 

 times attains a height of 100 feet and more. To avoid 

 breakage from wind it should always be cut back closely. 



Magnolia grandiflora. the famous broad-leaved ever- 

 green of the South, thrives in moist places and requires 

 a rich, fertile soil and a permanent mulch to grow to per- 

 fection. It attains an enormous size, which makes it verv 

 desirable for avenue plantings, and it is also well adapted 

 for landscape settings because of its large, fragrant 

 flowers. 



Parkinsonia aculcata, the Jerusalem thorn, is a small 

 tree of the order of the Leguininoscr, the drooping 

 branches of which are literally covered with deep yellow 

 flowers at the time of blossom, as it makes a good de- 

 fensive hedge and can be used to advantage in shrub- 

 beries, its planting should be more encouraged, for it does 

 splendidly, even in dry places. 



Poiiiciana regia is a typical subtropical tree that de- 

 serves planting in every garden, were it only for its large, 

 finely-cut leaves which are of a highly ornamental char- 

 acter. In addition, fiery scarlet flowers appear in Spring 

 and it is hard to think of another plant that is so suitable 

 for lawns as this svmmetrical tree, with its wide-spreading 

 branches. 



Of the climbing and trailing vines planted in this sec- 

 tion, none is more esteemed and used for so many pur- 

 poses than Bignonia vcnusta. It is a prodigious Winter 

 and Spring bloomer, bringing its marvelous clusters of 

 orange-red flowers sometimes as early as Christmas. The 

 plant itself, though delicate and tender looking in its first 

 stages, is of tremendous growth after becoming estab- 

 lished, ultimately reaching a height of 50-75 feet when 

 trained on trees. Bougainvillca glabra is of a somewhat 

 louder color and should. consec|uently, be used more cau- 

 tiously in regard to its environments. Like Bignonia 

 zrnusta it is of fast growing qualities and responds well 

 to an occasional application of commercial fertilizer. The 

 bright magenta red flowers are produced freely during 

 Winter and Spring and often used as cut flowers in vases. 



This does bv no means exhaust the theme in any way. 

 Tt is onlv an enumeration of plants of my knowledge that 

 do well here in Florida under ordinary care and that can 

 lie relied upon for Winter effect. Thus I have omitted all 

 deciduous and Sunnuer flowering shrubs and vines that 

 are in their prime in Summer or Autumn, and are of little 

 value and more or less out of place in an arrangement 

 which is to bring out satisfactory, subtropical eft'ects for 

 the ^^' inter season. 



Good health, imagination, persistencv, and a good 

 memorv — and of course keeping everlastingly at it — are 

 the principal requisites for a successful career. — Sawuel 

 Insull. 



