FREMONTIA CALIFORNIA, 



279 



early in June,lasting into August or even platanoides), so named from its bunch 

 September when the weather is genial ; of five stamens united in the shape of a 

 though the rounded seed-vessels are hand. In its native country this tree 

 freely produced as the 

 flowers fade they do not 

 ripen. Old-established 

 plants will cover a wall- 

 space of 20 feet or more, 

 and as such develop it 

 is important so to train 

 as to secure for every 

 shoot laid in a full share 

 of light and air. The old 

 plant at Coombe Wood 

 — one of the best ever 

 raised in this country — 

 was grown from seed sent 

 to Messrs. Veitch from 

 California, and plants so 

 raised are probably the 

 best. It is commonly 

 grown from layers or cut- 

 tings of the young wood 

 started under a bell-glass 

 in gentle heat during 

 spring, but their slow- 

 ness in rooting points to 

 seed as being the more 

 natural method. Fine- 

 ly grown specimens are 

 not uncommon along 

 the southern coast, but 

 the existence of thriving 

 plants, in the open, at 

 not a few points inland, 

 and even as far north as 

 Cheshire, shows what 

 may be done where skill and patience reaches 60 feet in height, but is too 

 are combined. tender for the open in Britain. In cul- 



The Fremontia is nearly allied to ture and appearance it comes very near 

 the Mexican Handplant (Cheirostemon j this Californian shrub, while its purple 



s 4 



THE FREMONTIA IN FLOWER. 



