BOTANICAL BAEDEKER 
Then one sweeps up into The 
Riviera, a mesa development of 
its own peculiar character. One is 
first impressed by the pink-bloom- 
ing trees on the parkways, Cape 
Chestnuts (Calodendron capense). 
Some are good, others poor, de- 
pending upon the depth of soil in 
which planted and the retained 
moisture. At 13746 Sunset one 
really should pause for inspec- 
tion—a large Yucca elephantipes 
(gigantea), a Star Pine (Araucaria 
excelsa), a splendid Eucalyptus 
sideroxylon rosea, and a Southern 
African Silver tree {Leucadendron 
argenteum), are outstanding. 
Across the street (right side and 
a bit farther) at 13785 is one of 
the most interesting gardens in 
the Los Angeles area—a contem- 
porary version of early California 
house, the entire property walled, 
and all the year a riot of color 
achieved in the informal Mediter- 
ranean manner—strong colors jux- 
taposed, strong lines and heavy 
textures in outstanding plant ma- 
terial. Here stand two of the tall- 
est and most beautiful palm speci- 
mens, unusual forms of Phoenix 
reclinata, single slender trunks and 
magnificently proportioned heads. 
At southeast corner of house 
rears a majestic clump of the 
FOR BED & BORD-ER 
(Out Sunset to that curve whereon 
lack-of-space so arbitrarily separated 
you from your guide last month!) 
giant Bird of Paradise, Strelitzia Nicolai, and an- 
other clump to the left rear. The garden walls and 
house front are planted with myriads of good red 
bush Geranium, purple Lantana, Poinsettias, and a 
pair of potted Gardenias. Other outstanding fea- 
tures of this famous garden are the Coral trees, 
(Erythrina crista-galli), two shapely old ones on the 
parkway and another to the south of house. Please 
observe that there are no pastels here, and nothing 
lacy or delicate in the traditional manner, but there 
are great charm and vivid beauty in the best our 
climate can offer at any month of the year. 
Then one descends the picturesque curve fast 
down into Rustic Canyon. On the right for a quarter 
of a mile is a perfect example of nature's own plant- 
ing of a steep dry slope (which doesn't slip into the 
street in rainy weather}—Rhus laurina (a native 
Sumac), scrub Walnut, Artemisia, Buckwheat (Eryo- 
gonum) and various grays that spread in little islanas 
and send their taproots down deep into the steep, 
forbidding earth. At the canyon mouth proper on 
the right grow luxuriously a collection of Eucalypti. 
Beyond Brooktree Road ascends a spectacular 
thin screen and skyline of E. corynocalyx (the ‘‘lay- 
ered gum" because of its layer of leaves then an 
open space}, and on the right more steep banks 
of beautiful mixed native chaparral. 
On top the hill again we're now in Pacitic 
Palisades, on which a whole chapter could be writ- 
ten. Here but to three cross streets will we call 
your attention—tirst, Pampas Ricas, which opens 
to the left, a long avenue of Flame Eucalyptus (fici- 
folia); Hartzell, to the right, lined with E. polyan- 
themos; and Embury, off Cary on the same side, 
with its fine E. leucoxylons. P.E.C. 
Every year about this time, there begins to un- 
fold from among the thick grey, sickle-shaped 
leaves of CRASSULA FALCATA, large gray um- 
bels, which as they unfurl, turn a brilliant scarlet 
and so remain for many weeks. For those who think 
of ''succulents'’ as modest, neutral-toned plants with 
gross or humble pale-hued flowers, this Crassula 
with its clear red flowers will be a revelation! 
As with many succulents, this South African 
with its interesting distichous structure and heavy 
curving gray leaves seems suddenly to change its 
entire aspect when its vivid inflorescence appears. 
This same structure, however, invites, even chal- 
lenges one to find the proper place in a sunny, 
well-drained situation, where Crassula falcata can 
produce its sickle-leaves and crowning glory as a 
specimen or in a succulent bed or border. ($1.50). 
