THE HOME FLORIST. 65 



LADY'S EAR DROP. See Fuchsia. 

 LANTANA (Greenhouse Perennial, jjr, 50, 90). 



These desirable plants are annually growing in favor, both for bedding purposes and pot 

 culture. They are of brilliant colors, robust growth, and profuse blooming habits, which render 

 them worthy of a place in every considerable collection. The flowers have somewhat the appear- 

 ance of Verbenas, but are grown on shrub-like plants, and are of the most delicate shades of 

 orange, sulphur, creamy white, etc., which colors are not found in that plant. Also interesting 

 from the fact of their changing from one distinct color to another on the same plant, as they in- 

 crease in development and age. In- the house they should be placed in a light warm place ; are 

 particularly useful for window culture, as they will thrive in a dryer atmosphere than many 

 plants. By proper pruning, plants may be grown of handsome shape. Somewhat difficult to 

 propagate. 



LAVENDULA CRISTATA (Greenhouse Perennial, 33, 45-, 90). 



A neat, compact, pot and bedding plant, useful in baskets, vases, etc., and of the easiest 

 culture. The leaves are of an ashy green, an inch long, nearly round, of singular notched appear- 

 ance, seeming to have been shaped in a mould. Propagates from cuttings. 



LARKSPUR. See Delphinium. 



LAURUSTINUS (Greenhouse Perennial, 33, 30, 90). 



A shrubby perennial for pot culture, that blooms freely only in winter and early spring. The 

 flowers are pure white, produced in large flattened panicles, and are universally esteemed. The 

 foliage is deep green, smooth and of pretty form. It is quite hardy, and in the South will stand 

 the winters with slight protection. The plant always assumes a handsome form, and is seldom 

 troubled with insects. In summer the pots should be moved to the open air and plunged. 



LEMON. See Orange and Lemon. 

 LEMON VERBENA. See Aloysia Citriodora. 



LEPTOSIPHON (Hardy Annual). 



A charming class of free blooming annuals of the easiest culture from seed. They are of 

 bushy growth and produce an abundance of small flowers of remarkably distinct colors. Sow 

 the seed where they are to bloom early in the spring, or it may be done the fall previous. 



L. Aureus is less than six inches high and spreads to the width of one foot. Very handsome 

 as an edging plant, being covered with a profusion of exceedingly pretty, little yellow flowers 

 with dark centre, which gives them a peculiar rich appearance. L. Densifiorus Albus, one foot 

 high, pure white ; very useful for loose bouquets. There is also a rosy lilac variety similar to 

 this, but being of less desirable color is not so greatly esteemed. L. Hybridus, French hybrids 

 of pretty appearance, which embrace yellow, orange, rose, purple and other colors. 



LIBONIA FLORIBUNDA (Greenhouse Perennial, 32, 45 or 50, 8f). 

 A neat growing, winter blooming plant well adapted for the window shelf or conservatory-. 

 The flowers, which are about an inch in length, are scarlet orange at the base, running into 

 deep yellow at the top, somewhat similar to the Cigar flower, but larger. They are produced 

 freely under ordinary circumstances, and are quite certain of affording pleasure to the cultivator. 

 The plants are of the easiest culture, any well enriched soil suiting them. A frost among plants 

 of sufficient severity to injure many, would leave this unharmed. 



LILIUM LILY (Hardy Perennial Bulb). 



The Lilium family, including the numerous superb varieties from Japan, are eminently valua- 

 ble garden plants, and no collection can scarcely be so limited but that some of the choicer varie- 

 ties at least should be included. They possess many desirable qualities, being, with an exception 

 or two, perfectly hardy ; easy of culture in any dry soil, continuing to increase in strength and 

 beauty for many years, and, above all, are of matchless colors in the several varieties. L. Longi- 

 flortim is the principal exception to their being entirely hardy, and this will stand the winter 

 well, with a protection of strawy manure on the roots, applied late in the fall after the ground 

 is frozen. Such a covering is desirable for all the varieties, and especially newly planted ones. 

 Lilies may be planted either in the fall months, or early in the spring. Avoid applying rank 

 manure to the soil, which is apt to cause a diseased condition in the bulbs. They should be set 

 deep, the top of the bulbs not less than four inches below the surface. This is essential, in 

 order that the roots which support the flowering shoot, and which being above the bulb, may 

 be fully protected from the sun in summer. They should be allowed to remain several years 

 without resetting, if possible. The various Lilies can also be cultivated to a great degree of 

 perfection in pots, with ordinary care. 



L. Atrosanguineum, orange red, blotched and marbled. L. Auratum (Golden Banded 

 Japan Lily), this Lily is of remarkable size and magnificence, usually measuring nearly a foot 

 across. It is delicately fragrant, and is composed of six petals of ivory whiteness, each thickly 

 studded with crimson spots, and having a golden band lengthwise through its centre. Will 

 succeed in any dry deep soil, but cannot be considered quite as robust as most other varieties, yet 



