230 CALIFORNIA GARDEN FLOWERS 



several times and have become well established in the pot, after which 

 it is a simple matter to turn them out wherever it may be desired they 

 shall become permanent with this precaution, however, that the roots 

 must not be disturbed, and also that there must be perfect drainage 

 and but little water given in the summer time. If allowed plenty of 

 room and the ground is kept cultivated, no water is needed other than 

 the winter rainfall. Germination of the seed is extremely slow, so 

 much so that almost infinite patience is required." 



The plant sends out numerous horizontals stems which rise through 

 the soil at some distance, and become separately rooted some time 

 after appearance. When such a new plant is well rooted it can be 

 successfully transplanted by taking up in the autumn and cutting away 

 the top growth. Transplanting at other times is very uncertain of 

 success. 



SUGGESTIONS OF EXOTIC SHRUBS. 



The possibilities for foreign shrubs in California has already been 

 indicated by the remark that nearly everything except plants of strictly 

 tropical requirements may be expected to thrive somewhere in Cali- 

 fornia. One must expect exceptions to occur in his local experience 

 because the state is exceedingly varied in local conditions and yet it is 

 reasonable to try whatever appeals to you as very desirable, wherever, 

 away from the tropics, you may see it. And there is nowhere, known 

 to us, a compilation of the names of the multitude of exotic shrubs 

 which are now giving their growers pleasure in this state. All that the 

 writer can do is to name and briefly characterize such as have come 

 under his observation, and this would indicate that they are more or 

 less common and therefore have shown some degree of acceptance of 

 California conditions: 



Almond. The flowering almond, in pink, white and red, breaks into 

 bloom from January to March in different situations and is easily 

 grown and beautiful. 



Azaleas and Rhodendrons. There are grand wild azaleas in our 

 mountains which the early summer tourist thoroughly enjoys, and 

 some have successfully installed them in gardens, but those chiefly 

 found in cultivation are the exotics which figure in the world's trade. 

 The amateur who expects satisfaction with these plants must study 

 their requirements, as indicated in other publications, and match his 

 conditions thereto as well as he can, and begin with thrifty plants from 

 the nurseries. They should be planted in well-drained peat mixed with 

 sand, or leaf-mold and sand. They will grow well out of doors in 

 deeply shaded places, as on the north side of the house where they may 

 get the morning and evening sun, or under large trees. They blossom 

 out of doors from April through July, according to variety. Usually 



