236 CALIFORNIA GARDEN FLOWERS 



Lantanas. These showy plants are very satisfactory as self-sus- 

 taining shrub-masses or as low climbers to be trained against walls, 

 fences, etc. They have a wide range of brilliant colors and changing 

 effects as the flowers age, which are interesting. They will endure 

 only light frosts without protection. 



Laurestinus. A handsome dark green, medium-height shrub with 

 abundant fall and winter white bloom and capable of being grown 

 singly or in a hedge. It is frequently used in cemetery planting, and 

 is on the whole rather somber. 



Lavender. The shrubby lavender, grown in England as a com- 

 mercial crop, takes kindly to California conditions, even enjoying full 

 sunshine on gravelly soil, but better treatment agrees with it and 

 ordinary garden conditions give good results in "lavender sticks" of 

 great length. It is easily propagated from cuttings of one season's 

 growth, cut with a small piece of the older wood attached, and planted 

 in spring or fall. These are set three to four inches apart in rather 

 moist soil and shaded until they root. Division of the plant is also 

 practiced. 



Lemon Verbena. The deliciously scented foliage of this small tree- 

 like shrub makes it always desirable if well grown, though it becomes 

 too. scant-leaved and scrawny if not well treated. It needs frequent 

 cutting back after flowering to force out new leafy growth, and 

 although it will endure much drouth its appearance is much less satis- 

 factory. The bloom is negligible; the scented leaves are the chief at- 

 traction of the plant. 



Lilacs. Probably all the lilac group of the syringas have been 

 brought to California. We have grown a large bunch of them and have 

 found the common white and purple varieties more satisfactory than 

 the others. These make very free growth, rising to the highest limits 

 for shrubs and give grand foliage and bloom in places where the 

 summer's heat does not run too high and where the spring warmth 

 comes early, for the plants are very restless under California winter 

 conditions and sometimes begin work too soon to get a good bloom- 

 spread. The plants should be kept from too early dormancy by suf- 

 ficient summer irrigation, so that they may grow longer in the autumn 

 and be inclined to rest longer in the rainy season. They should be 

 pruned soon after blooming to induce growth of new blooming wood 

 and many thin, ineffective shoots may be thinned out or shortened for 

 better starts. 



Malva. The tree malva (Lavatera) is very common in all parts of 

 the state around old ranch houses, and growing frequently on vacant 

 lots in our cities. It is very drouth-resistant and has been frequently 

 mentioned as desirable for forage purposes. If it were not so com- 

 mon it would be counted very handsome. Its chief value at the 



