ORNAMENTALS 
I N presenting the Ornamentals, there are many things worthy of individual attention, not always 
new or rare, but nevertheless a distinct addition to one’s grounds and gardens. 
We are listing, for the fust time, Platanus orientalis (Oriental Sycamore), grown from the 
seed of an especially fine specimen now standing in the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. The seeds were 
sent by Dr. John K. Small to Dr. flume, who in turn presented them to us, with the comment that 
“the variety is rare in America and one of the most beautiful of deciduous shade trees.” 
The first sign of spring in the South is the opening of the dainty pink rosettes of the deciduous 
Flowering Plum, followed later by Red-bud and Dogwood. 
Among the flowering evergreen shrubs, Azaleas and Camellias are the natural leaders. There are 
literally hundreds of varieties, many not listed but which may be seen by visiting the Nurseries dur¬ 
ing blooming-time. A new Indica Azalea, which we call The Duke of Windsor, has a compact but 
spreading growth habit, foliage a good shade of green, flowers very large, opening a deep reddish sal¬ 
mon and paling to a soft rose with a violet-splotched throat. 
For a long time we have grown a Camellia, very lovely but nameless. Now, by means of one of our 
imports, it has been definitely identified as Mariana Gaete. The flower is formal, perfectly 
imbricated and of a rich pink which shades lighter toward the center. 
For an evergreen plant which blooms all summer, what could be more satisfactory than the deli¬ 
cate blue Plumbago, which in warm, protected places, where it will not freeze down during the win¬ 
ter, will grow as a vine, climbing over walls and fences. If anyone has considered Malvaviscus a 
common plant, let him view the magnificent display in the Oriental Gardens of Mr. George Clark of 
South Jacksonville. 
Another flowering evergreen, our own Loblolly Bay (Gordonia lasianthus ) is handsome and 
stately, with delightfully fragrant, pure white flowers. This tree is surely the queen of our forests. 
And speaking of queens, our list would be incomplete without mentioning that queen of the garden 
the Rose. This year we have been pleasantly surprised by the performance of the Polyanthas. They 
have bloomed continuously through drought, torrid heat, and long periods of rain, from February 
through October, and are still blooming. For display purposes, plant Polyanthas. 
Junipers in Mrs. Cummer’s river garden. Juniperus japonica sylvestris with Azaleas between 
and back of fountain, and small Podocarpus hedge 
