2 hae 
It’s Time For.. 
First, seeing tropical plants 
at their best in the nursery (ask 
us about tropical effects for the 
sun}; second, observing in full 
bloom the endless form and color 
variations of Hibiscus; third, set- 
ting out bedding plants for winter 
bloom; fourth, planting bulbs for 
winter and spring; fifth, planning 
winter color; and sixth, for starting 
a new feeding program for shorter 
days and longer nights. 
Large-leaved subjects such as 
Alocasia, Colocasia (elephant 
ears), Bocconia, and Wigandia, so 
extremely popular nowadays, are 
naturally in fine form after tour 
months of warm weather and 
should be viewed for their possi- 
bilities at this time. But remember 
the ''tropical effect'' (which is the 
best we can do in this not really 
tropical climate) can be achieved, 
especially in the sun, also with 
bold-patterned succulents, Yuccas, 
dwarf Palms, Melianthus, and the 
like, which are handsome at all 
times of the year in all areas. 
A few of our choicest Hibiscus 
we wish to call to your attention 
especially: Maui Moon, an enor- 
mous pale yellow; Paradise Moon, 
lemon yellow crepe with white 
center; Honolulu, an electric 
Chinese red, opens flat and 
large; Patricia, recurved salmon 
pink, new; Haleakala, deep brill 
iant yellow with red eye; the 
Bride, another giant in palest 
shell pink; Kauai, rose pink re- 
sembling the old Agnes Gault but 
the bush of slightly dwarfer more 
compact habit and the flowers 
blooming far into December after 
Agnes Gault is gone. 
Bedding plants which bloom all 
winter must, as we advised you 
last year, be started in Septem- 
ber, and thereby allowed to a- 
chieve their growth before nights 
are too long and chill (little an- 
nual growth can be forced after 
night temperatures drop below 
45°). So get in your Snaps, Stock, 
Calendula, Iceland Poppies, and 
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I ORC 
ment Of Agriculture 
VOL. 2 SEPTEMBER, 1951 sates 
at 
ROYAL WELCOME 
Our rare subject of the month, the Princess 
flower, has a variety of aliases which suggest a 
shady background, which indeed this particular 
species has as regards its entry into California 
some quarter of a century ago. 
Tibouchina semidecandra, the latest of a series 
of names which include Pleroma macranthum, Lasi- 
andra elegans, and its common but exceedingly 
apt title, Princess flower, has a profusion of rich 
bright purple blossoms which debut daily, develop- 
(Continued on inside page) 
Plant of the Month 
Kahili ginger, that symbol of Hawaii with the 
spike of intensely fragrant flowers which graces 
gardens at this season of the year is, coincidentally, 
an adopted plant there, as it is here, being native 
to India and Malaya. Similar to the common Canna 
in foliage but more graceful, the ginger lily pro- 
vides a cool, lush tropical effect at the hottest 
season of the year, with a bonus of huge richly 
scented flower spikes which win it the botanical 
name, Hedychium or ‘sweet snow’. 
Hedychium Gardnerianum, the Kahili ginger (a 
Kahili is an Hawaiian ceremonial mace, which the 
flower resembles), is the most robust of the Hedy- 
(Continued on inside page) 
