184 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW >17:5— May, 1920 



almost overwhelming. They, however, lack something of the charm 

 of the delicate pink and white fruit blossoms, whose kinship with 

 the roses is so evident. 



A notable feature of all Califomian gardens is the predominance 

 of evergreen trees and shrubs, which prevent the gardens, even in 

 mid-winter, from looking bare. I do not mean so much the 

 Conifers, as the "broad-leaved" evergreens, like the laurels and 

 holly. These furnish a fine background for the flowering decidu- 

 ous shrubs and trees, and many of them, like the Camellia, Acacias 

 and brooms, are very showy when in flower. 



One must not forget the nimierous berry-bearing shrubs and 

 trees, which lend color to the winter garden. Among the showiest 

 of these may be mentioned the firethom, holly and several species 

 of Cotoneaster with orange or crimson berries. Among these 

 berry-bearing evergreens none is more showy than the native 

 'Toy on" or Christmas berry, with great bunches of brilliant 

 scarlet berries reminding one somewhat of those of the mountain 

 ash. The pepper tree is also a favorite, its graceful, fine-cut leaves 

 and long drooping clusters of pink berries being most ornamental. 



There are a good many native broad-leaved evergreen trees, 

 including several oaks, of which the best known is the valley live- 

 oak, familiar to every visitor to California. Various species of 

 Ecucalyptus are extensively planted, and with several kinds of 

 palms. Yuccas and other tropical looking trees, give a decidedly 

 foreign aspect to most California gardens. 



I think my favorite among the winter-flowering shrubs, is the 

 beautiful and deliciously scented Daphne, whose rose-tinted 

 blossoms in form, color and fragrance, recall the arbutus of the 

 Eastern states, although the two are really not closely related. 



Except in unusually cold seasons one can always find a few 

 roses in sheltered sunny spots, and in mild seasons roses bloom 

 freely all winter; but it is not until April and May, in our district, 

 that one realizes what rose time in Calirofnia means. 



A good many things are in bloom pretty nearly all the 

 year round. Heliotrope, geraniums, pentstemons, snapdragon, 

 and other hardy things may be depended on to flower all winter, 

 except in the severest seasons, when they may be nipped in exposed 

 places. 



Among the most satisfactory flowers in California are the many 

 varieties of bulbs, including some very beautiful native species. 



