MANY EXOTIC SHRUBS 235 



according to the fervency of the local sunshine. In coast situations, 

 both north and south, they may grow to a height of six feet or more 

 and a greater spread of branches, while single blooms in late autumn 

 and winter may be a foot in diameter. They do well in openings 

 among trees if given proper amount of cultivation and moisture. The 

 plants are easily grown from branch-cuttings whenever the soil is 

 reasonably moist and warm. 



Jasmines. "Cape jasmine," which is not a jasmine but a gardenia, 

 does not altogether enjoy California dry air, though some satisfactory 

 specimens can be found. It requires moist and warm air during the 

 growing and blooming season, though quite severe cold will not injure 

 the root. 



Jasminum officinale, our common white jasmine, is very satisfac- 

 tory with its clean compound leaves and flowers in terminal, leafy 

 clusters each a little nosegay by itself. It endures heat and drouth 

 and does not resent neglect, although care and especially close autumn 

 pruning or shearing to induce many flower stems, keeps the plant 

 within bounds and floriferous. It does well against a south wall, but 

 will accept what it can get and trained as a vine will cover large space. 

 It grows readily from cuttings. Another white jasmine is grandi- 

 florum, of light and spare foliage and straggling growth, needing sup- 

 port; but the flowers are always sweet. They thrive in rich, deep soil, 

 in a sheltered location, and need very little pruning. 



The yellow jasmine is of a more shrubby growth and makes a fine 

 plant for a lawn. It is a rank grower and will in time reach a great 

 height, though it must be pruned severely at times. It is an ever- 

 green and always in bloom in warm-winter places. 



Jerusalem Cherry. This plant is Solanum pseudocapsicum, the 

 specific name derived from resemblance of the fruit to a small red pep- 

 per. It is a very handsome ornamental shrub when filled with its 

 bright red fruit, contrasting with the deep green foliage. Why it is 

 called Jerusalem cherry is not known, for it is not a cherry and did 

 not come from Jerusalem. The plant is a native of Madeira and was 

 taken thence to England several hundred years ago. It is often sold 

 in pots for holiday decorations, but one can have it in the open ground 

 all during the frost-free season and it grows easily from seed. 



Laburnum, This is a most beautiful tall shrub or small tree with 

 handsome roundish leaves and long streamers of pea-like golden 

 flowers which have been aptly named the plant "golden chains." It 

 blooms toward the end of the rainy season the flowers being followed 

 by rather conspicuous dark-colored seed pods which may be clipped off 

 to advantage of the appearance of the plant unless one wishes to get 

 the seed. 



