It's Time For... 
(Continued from front page) 
Graptoveria Gray Ghost, $12.50, really spec- 
tacular. 
Shrubs and trees of special design value 
now in good supply are the most invaluable 
of deciduous trees, Koelreuteria (Chinese 
Rain), three species, $4 up; Tilia Americana, 
the American linden, a large-leaved deciduous 
tree for a moist situation, $5; Persea indica 
(Red Bay), a handsome rigid-leaved small 
evergreen effective for formalized plantings, 
$4.50; Thevetia thevetioides, large, open, trop- 
ical shrub with full trusses of extremely showy 
funnel-shaped yellow flowers, $6; Ficus ben- 
galensis, the true banyan of the tropics for 
its glossy large green leaves, sun or shade; 
Lonicera nitida, bush honeysuckle, for its tiny, 
evergreen, stiff-ranked leaves, valuable for 
oriental effects or small-scale detail, $1 a gal- 
lon; and the amazing structure of Solanum 
pyracanthum, a very open little shrub with 
stiff felt-like gray-green leaves sprouting 
orange thorns and violet flowers; $4, five gal- 
lon. 
July is the high point of Fuchsia bloom and 
this year our FUCHSIA FESTIVAL BEGAN 
JULY 15. Never have we offered such a quan- 
tity of sizes and varieties for 60 cents in four- 
inch pots; $1, one gallon; $3.50 and $5 in 
five gallon cans; $7.50 and $10 in baskets. 
Newer Fuchsia names which we suggest you 
come in and get acquainted with include Star- 
ling, Polar Sea, Blossom Time, Bewitched, 
Enchanted, Blue Petticoats (outstanding light 
blue and pale pink), and Old Smokey. One of 
the best for much sun is an old timer—Display. 
If you like species Fuchsias we have Isis, Vir- 
gata, Arborescens and Corymbiflora. If you 
always wanted a big red and white double like 
Catalina for a Basket, try Swingtime. Salmon 
and orange lovers will still find the fine old 
Aurora Superba, G. Boustedt and Koralie. 
alate. 
VARIATIONS ON THE THEME, SELLOUM! 
PHILODENDRONS LIKE OUTDOOR LIVING TOO 
It seems just a year or two ago that the giant Brazilian Philodendron selloum (see cover illus- 
tration) first became available for general planting. And yet in that short space of time thousands 
of these hardy Philodendrons have taken a prominent and highly decorative place in coastal plant- 
ings. It might be said that P. selloum filled a very definite need so widespread has been its accept- 
ance as key plant to enhance not only contemporary residence but exclusive shop or splendid hotel. 
Indeed we have passed so quickly from a period of extreme scarcity to one of great abundance in 
P. selloum that we feel compelled to urge some restraint in the application of this admittedly excel- 
lent plant lest it be over used to the degree that it loses much of its distinction. 
Fortunately for the tropical planting enthusiasts and the modern designers who have achieved 
such striking effects with the use of these bold plants in the contemporary scene, several new Phil- 
odendron species and hybrids offering variations on the theme are now making their appearance. 
Latest contributions to the hardy giant Philodendrons are not only significant because of their own 
individual character but offer us also the opportunity to add a little variety when inter-planted with 
P. selloum for example. 
Using P. selloum (with maximum four foot leaves) as a reference point the new relatives may be 
described as follows: Philodendron bipinnatifidum, about equal in scale and rapidity of growth to 
selloum with similarly divided but somewhat less ruffled leaves, the leaf segments narrower and more 
widely separated, with rather prominent red veination. This species seems to carry its leaves much 
more erect than selloum and so far has taken exposure to the sun equally well. Cold tolerance con- 
sidered to be roughly equivalent to that of selloum. 
Philodendron Fosterianum, developed by Mr. Mulford Foster of Orlando, Florida, is a hybrid com- 
parable to P. selloum and P. bipinnatifidum and yet quite distinct in leaf detail as may readily be 
seen when comparing mature plants of these three varieties. P. Fosterianum also has a very strong 
upright growth which in many situations is far more desirable than the rather sprawling tendency 
of P. selloum. In our experience P. Fosterianum will not tolerate the same sun intensity however as 
P. selloum, and we think the plant will be at its best if given afternoon shade. 
P. undulatum, still in the self-heading or arborescent class, is an entire leaf species, in other words 
the leaves are solid, without perforations or indentations, somewhat in the manner of the ‘’Ele- 
phant Ear.’’ This Philodendron is considerably smaller than the preceding and grows proportionately 
slower but in time makes an extremely handsome subject with plenty of rich green leaves about 
two and a half feet long. Not at its best in hot sun, P. undulatum is apt to find its best use in 
locations where the very size of its giant companions might rule them out. This species is as yet 
rather scarce in Southern California although it may be expected to become generally available with- 
in a year or two. 
Philodendron Evansii, our own hybrid, introduced about three years ago and only now beginning 
to develop its mature character, belongs back in the giant group. The huge, entire leaves of this 
hybrid attain a length of between four and five feet and are well ornamented with both scallops and 
Sitting for portraits (from left to right) 
are Philodendron bipinnatifidum ($8, five gal- 
lon can); P. Fosterianum ($8, five gallon 
can); P. undulatum (not yet available); P. 
Evansii ($8, five gallon can); Monstera de- 
liciosa (from $5 up). 
Hugh Cans 
(Continued from front page) 
the various rain forest regions of the world. 
Tree ferns, most striking of which is Cyathea 
medullaris with its coal black trunk and stems, 
and Palms tower up into the sky, and under- 
neath growing in the humus which they love 
are such jewels as Lapageria, Mitraria, etc. 
On the edge of this section where the light is 
strong are such terrestrial orchids as Cym- 
bidiums, Epidendrums and Sobralias. | had al- 
most forgotten the flowering vines, the noble 
Beaumontia with its white chalices of flowers, 
Bignonias and Bougainvilleas of almost every 
shade and hue make an unforgetable picture. 
Indeed it is impossible to give any adequate 
description of the charms of this garden. | 
could never tire of wandering there, drinking 
in the beauty of form and color in a sanctuary 
so tranquil and serene in a world gone mad. 
Alas, that | visit this garden only in my 
dreams. 
ruffles around the edge. P. Evansii seems to 
take the sun almost as well as P. selloum and 
is proving a handsome and useful exotic either 
in solitary splendor or in combination with any 
of the above. Now available in some quantity. 
Other arborescent species and hybrids will 
be putting in an appearance over the next 
several years we feel sure, and we will bring 
them to your attention as they become avail- 
able. We must also say a word or two about 
Monstera deliciosa, an old-timer, but none the 
less thoroughly effective giant Philodendron 
which belongs in a climbing rather than an 
arborescent class and may therefore compli- 
ment the self-standing types as a wall covering 
or vining silhouette. M.E. 
