PORTULACA AND SALPIGLOSSIS 179 



Portulaca. This plant does excellently under fairly good condi- 

 tions in California, although we do not find it quite so tolerant of 

 drouth as ordinary descriptions indicate. If, however, one strikes it 

 right a splendid effect is produced. For variety and intensity of color, 

 the genus has but few equals; the colors ranging from through white, 

 yellow, pink, purple, and the most dazzling vermilion. The flowers 

 are large, about the size of a dollar, and while the single varieties are 

 beautiful, the double ones are much more so. It is well adapted to 

 bedding purposes, whether in mixture, or distinct colors. Perhaps 

 the limitations of portulaca may be inferred from the fact that purs- 

 lane called "pusley" at the East and considered the last thing in 

 meanness does not occur in California gardens. 



Pyrethrum. Pyrethrum Roseum, sometimes called the red Mar- 

 guerite, is a very showy perennial; bearing its large, deep rose-colored 

 flowers, with yellow disk, for a long time during spring and summer. 

 There are many varieties of single and double-flowering kinds, but 

 the single deep rose-colored one is really the most desirable one. 

 Sometimes single plants have fifty flowers at a time borne aloft on 

 long, strong and slender stems. It is grown easily from the seed in 

 boxes under cover and if started in the winter for early planting out, 

 is likely to bloom the same autumn if frosts are absent. Established 

 clumps will bloom spring and fall or continuously. 



Pyrethrum also includes the "Golden Feather" or "Fever few" 

 a low, yellow-leafed edging plant, which amateurs often rush for to 

 give striking outlines to their geometry. Plants are grown in boxes 

 under cover and set out after frost danger is over. 



Rudbeckia. This genus includes a group of showy plants called 

 "cone-flowers." They have a daisy-like flower with prominent central 

 tuft or cone of dark color. The most popular is the species called 

 "golden glow" with high bunches of rich yellow bloom. Best 

 results are attained by frequent root-division to give room for free 

 growth. There are also low-growing species and quite a range of 

 colors. The plants are easily grown from seed in boxes or under 

 proper conditions in the open ground early in the frost-free period. 



Salvia. The salvias or ornamental sages show grand blue or bril- 

 liant reds, according to the species, and are easily grown from seed or 

 cuttings by starting while air and soil are warm and adequately moist. 

 Though disliking frost the sages are not otherwise particular and will 

 accept average soil and do well with it; resisting drouth also but 

 more satisfactory when not required to do so. 



Salpiglossis. This plant, with its flowers strikingly rich in mottled 

 and shaded coloring and veined in petals quite unusually, is a splendid 

 summer and fall bloomer from plants grown after spring frosts. 

 The plant is very airy and graceful in style of leafage and flower stems. 



