30 



THE BLOSSOM CIRCLE OF THE YEAR 



The starry Oleander blossom, from a plant 

 1 50 years old in the author's garden 



Oleanders. They blossom for 

 many months, are almost 

 immune from insect pests, 

 through all sorts of treatment 

 and through no sort of treat- 

 ment, they go from glory to 

 glory and are well worthy of 

 the name of the very best of 

 our garden friends. Of com- 

 paratively rapid growth, I 

 know of many plants that are 

 from eight to twelve feet in 

 height and many feet in di- 

 ameter five or six years after 

 planting. 



For tropical effects, either 

 in the background or the fore- 

 ground, few plantings equal 

 the Yuccas. The plan of plant- 

 ing hedges of the variety known as the Spanish Bayonet, Yucca 

 aloifolia, is not to be recommended. This is the least desirable 

 of the three kinds that are available, because it has a tendency 

 to grow tall and, becoming top-heavy, fall in unsightly positions. 



If a Yucca hedge is desired, plant the lower-growing kind. 

 Yucca filamentosa^ commonly known as Bear Grass. The finer- 

 leaved Mexican Yucca Treculeana, is the most attractive of all, 

 though the characteristic flower stalks are not quite so heavy as 

 are those of Y.filamentosa and Y. aloifolia. 



They are all handsome when in flower. The stalks rise at 

 least three feet above the needle-tipped leaves and the creamy, 

 bell-shaped blossoms cover them from stem to tip. They are 

 very fragrant also, which is an additional attraction that, added 

 to their rather unusual form, makes them especially desirable. 

 One could not wish to see a prettier picture than that made against 

 a brick wall or a dark evergreen background by the gray-green 

 Yucca spikes crowned by the handsome clusters of sweet-scented 

 blossoms, almost like a giant Hyacinth stalk, as they ring out 



