and are now available in bloom in cans at 
$1.50 and $4.50. An unusual one which we 
have revived is Lady Richards, a lowish 
bushy subject in a somewhat muted pur- 
plisn rose, a perfect sequence for the rosy 
mauve of SOUTH AFRICAN HEATHERS 
and the indescribable orchid pink of the 
GERALTON WAX FLOWER (both five 
gallon, $4). Other outstanding shrub sub- 
jects for sun and wind include the FRENCH 
HEATHERS, golden CASSIA ARTEMI- 
SOIDES, brickdust red of Chinese Hat 
Plant — HOLMSKIOLDIA SANGUINEA 
($4, five gallon), brown-eyed yellow HALI- 
MIUM OCYMOIDES ($1.25, one gallon), 
and the divers blues of California lilac, 
CEANOTHUS ($1.25 and $4). 
In the perennial department allow us to 
recommend ECHIUM FASTUOSUM for its 
great blue spires soon to brighten windy 
hillsides; TRITOMA hybrids—the Red Hot 
Poker plants — in all yellow, yellow and 
orange, and various dwarfer new hybrids 
in softer tones; DIANTHUS in rosy-red, 
pink and white (85 cents); MORAEA, the 
beautiful-leaved South African Iris, in white 
and cream yellow, 85 cents and $1.25; 
new bushy ICE PLANTS (Lampranthus) 
from South African seed, $1.50, one gai- 
lon; PENSTEMON in pink, white and crim- 
son, 75 cents, one gallon; newer GAZANIA 
hybrids, particularly a fine cream and a 
bronze-to-apricot, one gallon, 85 cents; 
two improved forms of the old AGATHEA 
COERULEA, bluer, longer blooming and 
larger-flowered, both 85 cents; and balled 
double HOLLYHOCKS in separate colors, 
50 cents. The fine balled plants of CAN- 
TERBURY BELLS and FOXGLOVES at 45 
cents will definitely require more shade 
than usual. 
In bedding plants out of flats, let's for- 
get the Pansies now, the annual Primroses, 
the Nemesias and Forget-me-nots, at least 
if the weather stays dry, and concentrate 
on PETUNIAS, MARIGOLD, ASTERS and 
AGERATUM, all 40 and 50 cents a dozen. 
But IF the weather should revert to cool 
dampness in March forget the Asters until 
April. The same goes for Impatiens and 
Coleus. SPRAY the entire garden again now 
for aphis (Black Leat 40). AND DON'T 
FORGET TO WATER AND MULCH AND 
SPRINKLE AGAIN. Water deep and slow- 
ly, but syringe foliage often to clean off 
the dust. P.E.C. 
Rhyme in Season 
The time has come, the earthworm said, 
To speak of springtime plants: 
Of Coral Bells and Clivias 
And what to do with ants, 
And what to fertilize and when, 
And why scarecrows wear pants. 
Perhaps you wonder just a bit 
How come the earthworm knew 
The many tricks of gardening 
And why Bluebells are blue. 
The answer's simple, for, you see, 
He reads The Grapevine, too! 
pls 
PSEUDOPANAX ... 
(Continued from front page) 
Araliads have a tricky habit of changing 
completely the design of their leaves as 
they progress through various stages of 
growth. This metamorphic tendency so de- 
ceived the eminent botanist, Sir Joseph 
Hooker that he believed he had unaer 
observation two distinct species, only to 
discern after fifteen years that they were 
identical!) 
Pseudopanax Lessoni (we could give you 
its Maori name for its hails from New Zea- 
land, but it's hardly an improvement!) from 
OUR observation is a good, clean, strong- 
growing shrub with cleverly designed leath- 
ery green leaves. It is normally a large 
shrub or small tree but can be easily kept 
to relatively small proportions. The com- 
pound leaves (component leaflets are some 
four inches long) of Pseudopanax Lessoni 
are much more interesting than our familiar 
foliage fillers like Viburnum, Pittosporum, 
etc., and much more simpatico with con- 
temporary design. It will grow in full sun 
but probably does better with afternoon 
shade, is not cranky about soil but prefers 
acidity if it's all the same to the landlord, 
and will endure without complaint about 
ten degrees of frost. We think our plants 
in four gallon containers look well worth 
their four-fifty price tags, and promise in- 
creasing value in ornament PE Meaiiee 
in our local gardens. M.E. 
CLOSED EASTER SUNDAY 
Though Evans and Reeves will have a 
complete selection of the flowering plants 
which so well reflect the renascent spirit 
of the season, the Nursery will be closed 
Easter Sunday, April 5, so please order 
your gift plants early. 
