FLOWER-GARDENING. 109 



are several species, producing blossoms of various hues, as 

 scarlet, blue, crimson, and purple, from February to June. 



Lager sir cemia. A half-hardy deciduous- plant, the roots of 

 which, if planted in the garden in March, will produce large 

 spikes of red flowers, from May to August. 



Lantana. A genus of dwarf shruos, which being cultivated 

 in the hot-house, or warm green-house, will yield their blos- 

 soms in April and May ; the species are of various colors ; yel- 

 low, orange, pink, white, purple, and variable. 



Laurus nobilis, Laurel. This evergreen shrub is by some 

 esteemed for its fragrant leaves ; there are several species dis- 

 tinguished as sweet bay, royal bay, etc., and some species are 

 without scent. 



Lavandula, Lavender. A species of soft-wooded, half-hardy 

 plants, with narrow, scented leaves, yielding spikes of fragrant 

 blue flowers in May and June. 



Lechenaultia formosa. A dwarf plant with heath-like foli- 

 age and bright scarlet blossoms ; in bloom a long season under 

 good culture. 



Leptospermum. This genus is somewhat celebrated from the 

 leaves of the species L. scoparium being used by the crew of 

 Captain Cook's ship as a substitute for Tea, the leaves having 

 an agreeable bitter flavor ; the blossoms, which are small, are 

 white. 



Leucodendron, Silver Tree. A neat evergreen shrub, with 

 silver-like foliage, of which there are several species, all admi- 

 rable for their beauty. 



Linum, Flax. Two species of this plant are worthy of cul- 

 tivation in a green-house, where they will bloom in February 

 and March. The Linum trigynum produces large yellow 

 flowers in clusters, and Linum ascyrifolium yields spikes of 

 blue and white flowers, which are similar to those of the Con- 

 volvulus. 



Lobelia. There are several species of this plant, which are 

 generally herbaceous ; they produce an abundance of little 

 flowers of brilliant colors. The Lobelia crinus is a pretty 



