If seeds of such winter-flowering annuals as wallflowers, browallia, linaria, Virginia stock, baby blue-eyes, snapdragon and calendula have not yet been sown, do it now. Also, do not delay sowing parsley, lettuce, mustard for winter greens, chard, radishes, carrots and cabbage.
Although Ochna multiflora has been carried by Southland nurserymen for a decade, it is still uncommon. Its ever-attractive shiny leathery foliage makes it one of the best small shrubs for all-year presentability. It has a large yellow flower, not unlike that of the unrelated St. Johnswort, held in a decorative saucer-shaped calyx, which goes from light green to bright red. Erect in this saucer are the stubby seeds. small thick candles which vary from green to red and red to black.
California Fog Belt
Since Lotus mascaensis, a delightful silver-leaved little shrub from Teneriffe, cannot stand extremely heavy frost, it makes an ideal fog belt subject. Most nurserymen carry the form with neat downy near-white leaves. hut sometimes a less desirable plant with greener leaves is offered. The yellow pealike flowers occur in small clusters. When grown in a sunny, sheltered place in light, well-drained soil, this lotus seeds itself profusely.
Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys
In some eastern states, the lovely star-of-Bethehem, Ornithogalum nutans, from Europe and Asia, escapes bounds and behaves like a native plant. However, in California this semi-nodding white-and-green plant never gets enough steady moisture to become a spreader. Here it is cherished as a very -desirable bulb. But unless given rich, deep soil and plenty of moisture, its return is unsatisfactory and it will expend most of its strength on small offsets useful for propagation but hopeless for effect. In good soil, with plenty of water and some sun, every 18-inch stem is a study in detailed beauty, and the cut flower is useful for unusual arrangements. Bloom extends from February to April, after which the foliage begins to die. The large-flowered variety, O. N. boucheanum, is difficult to find in West Coast nurseries. Usually you have to send away for the bulbs.
Many camellia growers are partial to pure white forms, but the selection is not so large as that for pink and red varieties, One of the best early-flowering whites is Daikagura, a creation of that early southern California camellia grower Joshua E. Youtz. Daikagura has the same good foliage and heavy flower texture of the type. The flower form is large, full and peony-like, and the bush is a slow grower.
Pacific Northwest
It will soon be too late to plant dwarf conifers. those intriguing little trees that add so much character to the rock garden. Most of those offered in Northwest catalogs are slow-growing. These dawdlers are desirable for, as they linger, they harmonize in shape and feeling with their surroundings. Select specimens in scale with their homes-to-be, and study foliage color and shape before choosing. If your garden is formal, use conical shapes, such as Juniperus communis compressa. Freer shapes, Chamaecyparis obtusa pendula. for instance. look better in the informal garden. If possible, plant in small groups rather than singly. Do not place mat-forming varieties such as Juniperus communis saxatilis, which comes under several different names, close to small, choice rock plants needing space and air.
In planning the small rock garden. keep common. fast-increasing material out. Cerastium tomentosurn, the red coral-bells and the commoner pinks soon overpower choicer plants. Dianthus neglecIlls, D. pores. the minute form. and D. gratianopolitanus (D. caesitis). the double form. are worth-white pinks. The white form of Campanula caespitosa (C. pusilla) and a species usually listed as C. planiflora do not overwhelm their neighbors as Campanula garganica or C, portenschlagiana (C. muralis) do.
by R Lester – 61214
