198 



GARDENERS' CHRONICLE 



merges into Autumn wiih scarcely a perceptible break: 

 tbe Winter season may or may not be severe ; the change 

 from Winter to Spring is gradual ; in regions along the 

 coast there is little clitTerence between Spring and Sum- 

 mer tenrperatures. The interest aroused in the East by 

 the everchanging seasons is compensated for in California 

 by the wealth of flora that persists in the green state all 

 the year. 



Two factors c(Mitri])Uting to such favorable climatic 



Tills pcri^ola stands al one end of n knoll overlooking, San Fravj- 

 clsco Bay and the Golden Gale. 



conditions, and afTecting a considerable percentage of the 

 jjopulation of California, are these: Close proxinuty to 

 the Pacific Ocean, giving a good part of the state some- 

 what of an insular climate ; mountain barriers on the east- 

 ern and western borders, deflecting cold polar winds. 



Many new residents from the East find it difficult to 

 become accustomed to the flora, radically different in 

 many respects from the flora of tbe East. The dry turf 

 during the Summer season is also distressing to some, 

 but, whereas a green turf is characteristic of the East, 

 California can revel in the golden brown turf, which fur- 

 nishes an effective contrast to the dark green of the Ever- 

 greens. 



The true Californian revels in the brown Summer cov- 

 ering of the hills, which may be destitute of trees, or with 

 a few oaks clustered in a narrow ravine ( )n the other 

 hand, the Easterner is transported in the sight of mag- 

 nificent elms, ma])les, oaks, arid other deciduous trees, 

 which could find no other suitable setting than a green 

 turf. 



California has been sjjiiken of ;'.s "one vast llowcr gar- 

 den." This is true in one sense, for there are thousands 

 of native species scattered throughout the state, but it is 

 untrue that the whole of California is ablaze with color. 

 I'"re(|uently, the most settled parts are deficient in native 

 flora, and must rely on the imjwrtations of exotic tree> 

 or shrubs, or the utilization of native stuff from other 

 ])arts of the state. Due to the benign climate of mosi 

 of California, il is ])ossible to grow every kind of flower 

 outfioors. 



It is of primary imiX)rtance, before jilanting a garden, 

 to investigate the flora of a particular region or of the 

 immediate vicinity, and let that form the basis for any 

 future ];lantings. I'ailing this, introduced types of trees 

 anfl shr'.ibs, harmonizing with the native flora, and adapt- 

 ing themselves to local conditions, may be used. 



(U all oi:r native trees the oak, and particularly the Live 

 C'ak, known botanically as Quercus agrifolia, is held in 

 almost a spirit of veneration in the hearts of Californians. 

 There is something so distinctive in the form of the Live 

 Oak, and something so attractive in the contour of its 

 branches, which distinguishes it from all other members 

 of the same genus and from unrelated types. The rich, 

 dense, olive-green foliage affords a wonderful contrast 

 to the golden turf beneath in Sunmier, while the eye is 

 bewildered by the intricate and graceful curving of the 

 trunk and branches. The I^ive Oak loves to nestle in 

 glens and ravines, but feels somewhat out of place in 

 broad, open valleys. It forms a delightful setting for a 

 home, and is often tised as a basis for laying out estates, 

 especially in hilly regions of cities and towns. 



Xative trees and shrubs which will harmonize with the 

 Live Oak arc: the California Bay Laurel, the California 

 Cherry, the Catalina Cherry, the 3\Iadrone, Alanzanita, 

 the Toyon or Christmas lierry with its crimson berries, 

 the Catalina Ironwood, and the Santa liarbara or jMatilija 

 I'l.'Ppy. Some of these are often found growing with the 

 Live Oak. 



The Redwood, too, a species of Sequoia, posseses cer- 

 tain characteristics which distinguish it from all other 

 trees. ( loing through a redwood forest one experiences 

 a sort of ethereal feeling as a shaft of light pierces 

 through the delicate, arabesque-like tracery of leaves and 

 branches, and break into myriads of blotches of light and 

 shade. Its near relative, the California Big Tree is also 

 distinctive. 



What constitutes the California garden as distinguished 

 from the I'^astern tyjae of garden? There is a distinct 

 charm about the old New England garden, full of trim 

 little paths laid out in regailar fashion, seats, trellises, 

 arches and arbors in set ]>laces, garden plots filled with 

 sweet-scented, old-fashioned flowers v^hicli is not difficult 



// hit of clKinnlciislic Califoinla .\tinery. 



