242 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



of cold winds, and the soil most favourable to good growth is one com- 

 posed of turfy loam, peat, and good leaf-soil in equal proportions. As 

 it is considerably benefited by copious supplies of water in spring just 

 as fresh growth appears, ample drainage should be provided to carry off 

 superfluous water. In localities too cold for planting in the open air 

 it is worth growing in tubs for the cool-house. 



Laurustinus. See Viburnum Tinus. 



Ledums. These are compact evergreen shrubs, thoroughly hardy, 

 distinct, and ornamental. They flourish in ordinary soil, but prefer one 

 composed largely of peat. L. latifolium (Labrador Tree) is vigorous and 

 free in all ways, with its great clusters of white pink-tinted flowers. 

 The Marsh Ledum (L. palustre), a European species, grows about three 

 feet high and forms a dense bush with small green aromatic leaves 

 covered with a thick tomentum on the under sides, and in early summer 

 its clusters of small pink flowers are welcome. 



Leiophyllum buxifolium is a dainty little evergreen shrub intro- 

 duced from the sandy plains of New Jersey upwards of 150 years ago. 

 It is little known, exceedingly beautiful in flower, and well adapted for 

 the rock-garden. It should always be planted in a peaty soil. The 

 Sand Myrtle, as it is sometimes called, does not exceed one foot in height 

 in fact, it is not often more than six inches high ; is of dense compact 

 habit, with tiny deep green leaves, and in early summer terminal clusters 

 of small white flowers and rose-pink buds. 



Lespedeza bicolor, also known as Desmodium penduliflorum, an 

 uncommon deciduous shrub of graceful habit, is hardier than is generally 

 supposed. It is indigenous to China and Japan, and bears an abundance 

 of reddish-purple flowers in long slender racemes. It grows upwards of 

 six feet high, and succeeds best in peat, loam, and leaf-mould, and requires 

 good drainage. In very cold localities it should be planted against a wall. 



Leycesteria formosa, a fairly well-known Himalayan deciduous 

 shrub, has pendulous racemes of white flowers touched with purple, and 

 conspicuous purple bracts hang from the axils of the leaves in autumn. 

 The flowers are followed by showy berries. It flourishes in ordinary 

 soil, and is quite a success under the shade of trees. It may be planted 

 as a cover for game. 



LigUStrum (Privet). No soil seems too poor or position too ex- 

 posed for the ordinary forms of Ligustrum or Privet. As a hedge-plant 

 L. ovalifolium (Oval-leaved Privet) is planted by the million ; but care 

 is necessary, as it has often been injudiciously used. Although the 

 golden-leaved form, L. o. foliis aureis, sometimes met with as calif orni- 

 cum, is not so free in growth as the type, it is very effective when 

 used with discretion. It dislikes full sunlight and succeeds admirably 

 in towns. L. sinense, a much branched half-evergreen shrub from 

 China, is not only welcome for its abundance of cream-white flowers, 

 but also for its black berries, which as a rule hang upon the bushes for 

 several months. L. lucidum, introduced from China more than a hundred 

 years ago, has charming flowers. It is erect and grows about twelve feet 

 high, and in autumn bears loose panicles of white flowers in profusion. 



