174 CALIFORNIA GARDEN FLOWERS 



treatment for so small a seed and should be sown in boxes under 

 cover to get plants for spring setting in the open. Another very easy 

 way, where the first rains come without frosts,, is to take the myriads 

 of self-sown seedlings which promptly appear under and around the 

 old plants. By thumb-potting these tiny plants or pricking them 

 out in flats one can get any number of thrifty little clumps for 

 setting out after frost and thus realize very early effects. There are 

 also tall, perennial lobelias, but they have not yet made much impres- 

 sion on the amateur mind. 



Lupins. These wild legumes in various shades of blue, also in 

 white and yellow, are useful for large effects but not much grown in 

 gardens, because one sees so much of them all over the state from 

 the sand beaches of the ocean, across the plains to the mountain sides. 



Lychnis. The Lychnis family is growing in favor. The double 

 white, the double red and dou'ble crimson are most valuable for sum- 

 mer flowering, and produce their charming carnation-like flowers in 

 the greatest profusion all summer; they are excellent for cutting 

 and some of them are exquisitely fragrant. They are easily grown 

 from seed and are apt to run two to three feet high. 



Marigolds. The marigolds can be justly called gorgeous, although 

 their rank growth and aggressive freedom in possessing the earth 

 causes them to be regarded as rather common. The most common, 

 or African marigold, is almost more easily grown than kept from 

 growing. The French marigolds are not quite as easy and are 

 often started in flats and transplanted once or twice before planting 

 out. The French are variously hued and striped and are very hand- 

 some, both in flower and foliage, but one never gets very affectionate 

 with any of the marigolds because of their somewhat medicinal odors. 



Mignonette. Mignonette is almost a garden weed, sowing itself 

 and lingering long into the frosty season. It keeps coming from 

 the seed if once introduced to the garden and its exquisite perfume 

 amply compensates for its intrusive behavior. 



Nasturtiums. Nasturtiums are almost universal in California, and 

 though so common, always hold interest because of their acceptance 

 of all hard conditions except frost, and because varieties have been 

 developed of such exquisite hues and interesting markings. Although 

 the plant is so delicate as to serve as a garden thermometer, it is 

 safe through many months in most places, and it seeds so freely that 

 it may always be expected to return in spite of spading and other 

 soil working. It accepts soil conditions which most flowers resent 

 by ill appearance; in fact, for an abundance of flowers it should be 

 grown on rather poor soil. The blossoms are of all the odd shades 

 of yellow and red. The leaves are also variegated in many of the 



