LARDIZABALA 103 



LAPAGERIA (see Plate XXI) 



A greenhouse twiner with fleshy roots, and thin wiry 

 stems which grow to an indefinite length and branch 

 rather freely ; leaves heart-shaped, dark green, leathery, 

 the largest about 3 inches long ; flowers axillary, solitary 

 or several together, on a short pedicel, pendulous, narrow 

 bell-shaped, about 3 inches long, sepals and petals thick 

 and wax-like, rose-red to crimson, with numerous whitish 

 spots ; produced throughout the summer. The variety alba 

 has pure white flowers. Lapageria blooms possess such 

 substance that it is possible to keep them fresh for three 

 weeks in a cut state, provided the water is changed with 

 unfailing regularity. Being a native of Chili, the plant is 

 hardy in places like South Cornwall, but it is grown most 

 successfully in a cold greenhouse if it be planted in a well- 

 drained bed of peat and kept uniformly moist. Care must 

 be taken to preserve the fresh, sucker-like growths from 

 slugs, which otherwise may eat them as fast as they come 

 up. The Lapageria requires semi-shade. Propagated by 

 layers. 



LARDIZABALA 



A small genus related to Berberis. L. biternata, a 

 native of Chili, is the only cultivated species. It is a 

 tall and fast-growing evergreen, with glossy, dark green 

 leaves, and purple flowers in drooping racemes, notable 

 as appearing in mid-winter. It may be planted against a 

 wall in the milder districts in light soil, but it rarely flowers 

 well out of doors. Propagation by cuttings of the half- 

 ripened shoots. 



