FLOWERS IN CALIFORNIA. 



NOTES ON PLANTING. 



BORDERS. 



A perfect border is a great addition to a well-kept garden, it is, 

 in fact, a necessity about the flower beds. 'How to make and 

 keep a border in order,' is a frequent question. In thefirst place, 

 we must remember that most border plants are annuals, and that 

 their season of perfection is short, which in colder climates is 

 ended by frosts. Not so in California; here they live throughout 

 the year, and look shabby but do not die. Such border plants 

 must be destroyed and a new crop of seedlings or slips re-set. 

 This means time, labor, and money, but there is no other alter- 

 native if you would have a handsome border. There are a few 

 exceptions, of course, and the more lasting borders are the more 

 desirable ones. 



The yellow feverfew or golden feather can be planted at any 

 season, must never be allowed to bloom and requires some trim- 

 ming or shearing. It needs to be replanted about every nine 

 months. The low-growing pink oxalis and the tall yellow sort 

 are excellent winter blooming plants that increase very rapidly 

 by bulblets, and must be dug and re-set in May or June when the 

 plant dies down, otherwise it becomes fairly a pest all over the 

 yard. The dwarf Mad. Saleroi geranium is one of the most 

 lasting borders. It requires some trimming, and re-planting 

 at least every eighteen months. Echeveria makes one of the 

 easiest kept borders. It is the plant known as 'Old Hen and 

 Chicks.' It can be grown to make any width of border, and if 

 the rosettes are too thick, they are easily thinned out. The red 

 and yellow altenantheras are choice border plants. . They grow 

 best in warm weather, and should be planted in May or June. In 



