162 
THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
with Hardy Climbers, on page 362. There are also one or two 
interesting annual species worthy of note. One is the Tangier 
Pea (L. tingitanus), a native of Tangiers, in Africa, and 
introduced so long ago as 1680. This bears purple and red 
flowers in pairs in June and July. The other annual species 
is L. sativus azureus, which bears lovely azure-blue flowers in 
June and July. Both are of dwarf habit, tingitanus having 
trailing stems, which produce a pretty effect rambling over a 
rockery, while azureus is well adapted for growing in groups 
on the front of a sunny border. They require to be raised 
from seed sown in the open ground early in April, or in gentle 
heat in pots, subsequently hardened off in a cold frame, and 
then planted out in their flowering positions in May. 
Lactuca (Blue Thistle). — This is the correct generic 
name of the plant described as Mulgedium Plumeri on p. 178. 
Lavatera (Tree Mallow). — A genus of hardy shrubby 
perennials and annuals, belonging to the Mallow order (Mal- 
vaceas). L. arborea, although of a shrubby habit, is best 
treated as a biennial, plants being reared from seed to flower 
the following year. This species is a native of our sea-coasts. 
It grows 6 to 10ft. high and bears purple flowers in summer. 
There is a variegated variety of it, variegata, with leaves 
marbled with yellow, white, and green, which is pretty for 
sub-tropical bedding. L. Olbia is a comparatively new species 
or shrubby habit, and growing 4 to 5ft. high. It bears rosv- 
pink flowers in profusion during the summer, and is a charm- 
ing plant for the hardy plant border. Yet another fine 
species is Cashmiriana, with rose-coloured flowers and 
growing 4 to 5ft. high. L. trimestris is an annual 
species, growing 4 to 6ft. high, and bearing rosy flowers 
blotched with purple at the base. Alba is a white variety of it. 
Seeds of both species may be sown in heat in March and the 
seedlings planted out in May ; or in the open border in April. 
The variegated kind requires protection in winter. 
Layia.. — A genus of bright and pretty hardy Californian 
annuals, belonging to the Daisy order (Compositae). L. 
elegans is a very graceful species, bearing yellow flowers 
margined with white in summer; it grows ift. high. Another 
pretty species is L. glandulosa, growing i8in. high, and with 
white florets and a yellow disc. Two other species are also 
worthy of note, namely, L. calliglossa (Syn. Oxyura chrysan- 
themoides), yellow, 12 to i8in. high; and L. platyglossa 
(Syn. Callichroa platyglossa), yellow, 6 to 12m. high. These 
charming annuals may be grown in ordinary soil in a sunny 
border, sowing the seeds therein in April, and well thinning 
