The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
Landscape Gardening
DELPHINIUM, Larkspur.—The perennial larkspurs are very showy and valuable plants. They may be had in numerous species and varieties. Those commonly grown are hybrids. The colors in this group are superb, but the best are so far superior to the poorest that great pains should be taken in making selection. As the plants may easily be grown in quantity from seed this process of selection is more pure delight than expense.
DIGITAILS, Foxglove. — Well-known plants of easiest culture, free flowering and always desirable.
HARDY PERENNIALS
The commonest species, with very large flowers in a variety of colors, goes under the doubtful name of D. gloxiniaflora; but D. lautata, D. siberica and D. grandiflora are equally line.
HELENIUM.—A very tine and striking plant, particularly the variety, H. autumnale superbutn. Furnishes a dazzling glow of yellow late in summer when flowers are scarce. Six to eight feet.
HILIANTHUS, Sunflower.—Some of the perennial species are very useful in border composition. The best are H. maximillani and orgyalis. These give very striking, though easy and natural, effects.
HEMEROCALTJS, Day Lily.—This genus, called day lilies, are not lilies at all, but are splendid garden plants just the same. They are hardy and free-flowering, and most of them are of good color and highly ornamental. One of the best is the pale yellow "Lemon lily," H. flava; another good sort is H. dumortieri, and still another is H. middendorfi. There are also a few hybrids worth trying.
HOLLYHOCK.—The old favorite, and one of the most artistically effective plants known. In many colors, single and double. Subject to severe attacks of rust, which sometimes kill the plants. In such cases burn the old plants and all the litter around them and plant anew in a different spot.
LKPACHYS.—A very desirable genus comprising only a few species, of which L. pinnata and L. column-aris are worth first trial.
LUPINES make a fine show in any good hardy border. There are two varieties of the perennial species, the blue and the white. They appear to advantage together.
OENOTHERA. — Comprises several good species, mostly with large yellow flowers. The best are 0. missouricnsis, O. fruticosa major and O. frascri.
PAPAVER, Poppy.—One of the most delicate and beautiful of hardy plants is the Iceland poppy, Papavcr nudicaule. Oriental poppy, P. orientate, is a large and very showy species.
PENTSTEMON.-—This genus numbers several of the best herbaceous plants known to horticulture. They are hardy and easy to manage. Among the best are P. digitalis, P. grandiflorus, P. pubescens, P. confertus, P. barbatus torrcyi, P. acuminatus and P. ovatus. There are several others, and not a poor one among them.
PEONY.—Too well known to need remark. Usually grown alone on the lawn, but much finer when massed in the border against the shrubbery. Propagate by division and allow the plants to remain many years undisturbed.
