The prii 



Encyclopaedia of Gardening 2 1 9 



tie principal members of this genus are the Sweet Pea, L. odoratus 

 (see Sweet Peas), and the Everlasting Pea, C. latifolius or sylvestris 

 platyphyllus (see Everlasting Pea). L. sativus is the dwarf annual 

 Chickling Vetch, the blue form of which is often erroneously called 

 Lord Anson's Pea. L. magellanicus (syn. nervosus) is the true Lord 

 Anson's Pea, and is a deciduous perennial, like the Everlasting Pea. 

 Tingitanus, an annual with purple flowers (Botanical Register,. 

 t. 1383); Drummondii, a red perennial; grandiflorus, a rose peren- 

 nial (Botanical Magazine, t. 1938); and rotundifolius, a rose peren- 

 nial (Bot. Mag., t. 6522), are sometimes grown. They are all hardy, 

 and increased by seeds or root division in spring. Any good soil 

 suits. 



Lattice-leaf Plant, Ouvirandra fenestralis. 



Laurel. This popular evergreen is the Prunus lauroceraeus of 

 botanists. A rapid grower, and succeeding on almost any soil, it 

 is very useful for forming screens and shelters quickly. Young 

 plants should be planted between November and April, and they 

 may be put 6 to 9 ft. apart according to the fertility of the soil; 

 the richer it is the more room they should have. For pruning, see 

 Evergreens. When old plants are shifted they sometimes lose their 

 leaves, but they usually break again from the old wood and are soon 

 green. The Portugal Laurel, P. lusitanicus, has narrow leaves* 

 The Laurels may be propagated by cuttings and layers if desired, 

 but they are so cheap that it is hardly worth while to raise stock 

 at home. The Cherry Laurel is also P. laurocerasus. The Sheep 

 Laurel is Kalmia angustifolia. The Aucuba is sometimes called the 

 Variegated Laurel. 



Laurestinus or Laurustinus. This useful evergreen is the Vibur- 

 num Tinus of the botanists. Of compact habit, not growing 

 quickly to an unwieldy size, with handsome leaves and pretty 

 flowers, cheap, easily transplanted between November and April 

 inclusive, and thriving in most soils, it is a very useful shrub, and 

 should always be chosen where inexpensive evergreens are wanted. 



Laurus nobilis, Sweet Bay (lau-rus, from laur (Celtic) , green. Ord. 

 Laurineae). This handsome tree is well worth growing, and it 

 thrives in fertile, loamy soil. Propagation is by cuttings in a green- 

 house in September, or by seeds sown when ripe. The leaves are 

 aromatic, and the flowers, which are yellow and borne in spring, 

 are followed by purple berries. Angustifolia is a narrow-leaved 

 variety. In cold districts plant in a sheltered place. 



Lavatera, Rose Mallow (lavate-ra, after Lavater. Ord. Malva- 

 ceae). The most valuable of the Rose Mallows are the hardy annual 

 rosea-splendens and its white variety; the former makes a large 

 bush in summer from spring-sown seed, and bears a profusion of 

 beautiful pink flowers, which last well. Arborea variegata, the 

 variegated Tree Mallow, is a handsome biennial. 



Lavender, Lavandula (lavan-dula, from lavo, to wash. Ord. 

 Labiatae). The common Lavender, L. vera, is a popular shrub, 

 with its greyish leaves and perfumed flowers. It will thrive on> 

 most soils and has a partiality for chalk. Propagation is by cut- 



