MY SHRUBS 65 



comes. Koelreuteria is a shy flowerer, but, hearing doubtless 

 of my booklet, it performed this year, and I photograph a spray 

 accordingly. K. p. japonica is a variety said to be less hardy than 

 our plant. 



Laburnum is a small but popular genus, though some people 

 have the greatest objection to its chill, yellow tresses. L. Vossii 

 on a standard is very handsome, and the bloom trusses the largest 

 that I know. Waterer's laburnum is also a famous variant on 

 the familiar form. 



Lagerstrcemia indica is no good out of doors to me, and not 

 very useful anywhere. This sub-tropical Chinese shrub must be 

 very beautiful with adequate culture. It lingers under shelter of 

 a wall with peat to live in ; but the leaf falls early in autumn, 

 and no flower has ever appeared. I may have had an invalid, 

 and must try again. 



Lantana is frankly an indoor shrub, and has never greatly 

 attracted me at that ; but Lapageria, named after Josephine 

 Lapagerie, Empress of the French, who solaced many an un- 

 quiet hour with growing things, will smile on a sheltered wall. 

 I have L. rosea, perhaps the hardiest, in a snug corner facing 

 west, and, though no great grower out of doors, it fails not to 

 brighten late autumn with its wax-like bells. Two perfect 

 blossoms hung there on Christmas Day. At times of lengthened 

 frost an " Archangel " protects the plant. 



Lardizabala biternata, which resembles a climbing berberis, 

 is another admirable Chilian for a west wall, and also a winter 

 flowerer. Like Lapageria it requires a cold house for perfection ; 

 but will do its duty in the open air. The blossom is purple, 

 and not particularly effective. 



