THE GARDEN BOOK OF CALIFORNIA 



Where it is desirable to have a low-growing, bright- 

 flowering plant, the portulacas are very satisfactory, or if a 

 bedding plant is wanted, the scarlet flax will bring quick re- 

 sults. For large grounds and showy effects the petunia 

 family are useful and are easily gotten rid of when the emer- 

 gency is over, and the permanent plants are put in. One 

 year I screened my neighbor's shabby wooden fence from 

 view by massing the old-fashioned hollyhock before it. All 

 colors there were, and nothing in the garden at "Honey- 

 suckle Lodge" attracted more attention. The annual larkspur 

 helped out, too, and as for the stocks and gilly flowers, well, 

 we wondered how we had ever gotten along without them, 

 for all through the long, dry summer they were ever ready 

 for table decoration, and let me tell you the fine French blue 

 and wonderful pink shades of the modern larkspur are worth 

 seeing. In making a temporary garden, the geraniums need not 

 be overlooked, as they may be put down, and moved again, 

 with but little injury, and if strong, healthy plants are 

 secured, quick results may be enjoyed. The ivy-leafed 

 varieties are quite desirable for covering bare patches of 

 ground, as they run readily, yet may be easily removed. Of 

 the zonale varieties the Countess de Harcourt is a new white 

 variety that is a free bloomer. Alice of Vincennes is an 

 intense scarlet, while Madame Landry is a fine salmon with 

 a white eye. The Tamatave is a clear, bright red of excel- 

 lent form. Cosmos, sweet peas, mignonette and candytuft 

 are old fashioned, but none the less desirable, and it is to the 

 old friends we must turn in the emergencies. 



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