H UG l, Cvans 
Few plants are contented with a hot sun con- 
stantly beating down on the ground above their 
feeding roots, and this is particularly the case in 
shallow soils, of which we have more than our 
share. The average shrub is a far better and 
healthier specimen where its branches sweep and 
protect the ground from the sun's rays; even the 
trees and shrubs of the dry savannahs, the African 
veldt, and Australian bush, are protected by their 
fellows, and by undershrubs, by herbage, grasses 
etc. 
Because a plant revels with its head in the sun- 
shine, it is no indication that it endures with com- 
placency, having its base and roots roasted; observe 
tor instance how our own native shrubs on the hills 
are shaded and protected from the hot sun by all 
their neighbors, so far as their roots are concerned. 
It is obvious too, that a plant whose branches 
cover the ground around it, will take considerably 
less water and endure more drought than will the 
same plant which is trained up as a standard. If, 
for any reason, there is an objection to the plants 
being grown in such a fashion, then by all means 
the ground should be well covered by mulch which 
will keep the feeding roots cool. 
SOUGHT SEED, SOWED SAME 
Pterotropia’s New 
In our pursuit of handsome-foliage plants we 
have constantly returned to the Aralia family for 
its many infinitely varied species which, though 
they come from far corners of the world have so 
graciously acclimated themselves in Southern 
California. The roll is long; well over a dozen 
genera can ornament our gardens, many of them 
we have been the first to offer locally. Now we 
are pleased to announce still another of this popu- 
lous family: PTEROTROPIA PINNATA, a_ fair- 
sized tree with branch-like leaves (three feet long) 
of 13 or more large leaflets, increasingly tomentose 
with age. 
Impressed by the vigorous growth of two lone 
specimens locally, we sought seed, sowed seed, 
and now have a crop of sturdy plants in five gal- 
lon size ($7.50) which will progress more or less 
on the order of Aralia chinensis, a single trunk 
with the branch-like leaves up to ten feet, then 
forking or branching upward as a slender upright 
Tree. 
In reasonable soil, Pterotropia will grow into an 
interesting specimen tree, eyecatching with its 
tremendous compound green-above and cream- 
below leaves and open structure with which to dis- 
play them to advantage. 
IT’S TIME FOR... 
(Continued from front page) 
apart). Two extra dwarf species 
of HYPERICUM, both evergreen 
perennials, we recommend — H. 
repens, flat, creeping to one and 
one half feet across, gray-green, 
tiny yellow flowers; and H. coris 
to one foot high and across; both 
these Southern Europeans fill a 
definite need in small gardens and 
should be better known. Another 
uncommon form of a common 
plant is a DWARF CLUMPING 
GERANIUM, with small green-and- 
white leaves, one foot high and 
across, impervious to adversity the 
year around. All 85 cents to $1.25 
gallon cans. 
For shade we call attention 
once again to the ever-serviceable 
pink and white IMPATIENS (or 
other colors) 15 cents to $1.25; 
BROWALLIA for sprawling blue 
—50 cents a dozen from flats; 
TORENIA for upright blue and 
violet, ten inches—50 cents a doz- 
en; the incomparable TUBEROUS 
BEGONIA in assorted sizes and 
colors from 85 cents; and STREP- 
TOCARPUS HYBRIDS, Gloxinia- 
like perennials for shade and per- 
fect drainage, in deep blue, rosy 
red, and white, 50 and 75 cents. 
And a most ornamental tropi- 
cal tree not too large for small 
grounds, is the magnificent semi- 
evergreen RAUWOLFIA SAMAN- 
ENSIS, a mature example of 
which may be seen in our own 
front garden about fourteen years 
from seed. This subject also makes 
stunning box or tub material for 
the tropical effect in full sun. 
(P.E.C)) 
THE WINNERS! 
The new Fuchsias displayed in 
the naming contest last month can 
be christened at last with the fol- 
lowing prize-winning names: Num- 
ber one, ‘Blue Petticoat," sug- 
gested by Mrs. Dorothy Break; 
number two, ''Temptress,'’ Edith 
Wishny; number three, ‘'Carou- 
sel,'' Sophia Bliven. You are invited 
to see these beautiful introduc- 
tions as well as all our other 
Fuchsias which are still in bril- 
liant bloom. 
