Part 17 (1/2)

Kalmia Latifolia.--This hardy, dwarf evergreen shrub is deservedly a great favourite. It produces a wealth of flowers in large cl.u.s.ters. It requires to be grown in peat or good leaf-mould, and needs pure air.

It is increased by pegging down the lower branches, which soon become rooted. The flowers are produced from June to August. Height, 2 ft.

Kalosanthes.--Showy greenhouse succulent plants. A light, turfy loam is suitable for them, and they may be increased by placing cuttings of the young shoots in a sandy soil on a slight hotbed in spring. Pinch them back so as to produce a bushy growth, and give support to the heavy heads of bloom. The cuttings should be left for twenty-four hours to dry before they are planted. The plants require very little water, and they flower in July. Height, 6 in. to 1 ft.

Kaulfussia.--Sow this pretty hardy annual in April in the open border, or in March in slight heat. It may also be sown in autumn for early flowering. It will succeed in any light soil, blooming in July.

Height, 6 in.

Kennedya Marryattae.--A greenhouse evergreen twining plant of a very beautiful order, which thrives best in a compost of sandy loam and peat. Cuttings of the young wood planted in sand, and having a bottom-heat, will strike. It produces its flowers in May. Height, 4 ft. Other varieties of Kennedyas range from 2 to 10 ft. They all need to be well drained and not to stand too near the pipes.

Kerria (_Corchorus_).--Beautiful hardy shrubs, which may be grown in any garden soil, and can be propagated by cuttings of the young wood, taken at a joint, and placed under gla.s.s. They flower at midsummer.

Height, 4 ft.

Koelreuteria Paniculata.--This is an ornamental tree bearing long spikes of yellow flowers in July. It will grow in any soil, but requires a sheltered position, and may be increased by layers or root cuttings. Height, 10 ft.

Kohl Rabi (_Turnip-rooted Cabbage_).--Though mostly grown as a farm crop, this vegetable is strongly recommended for garden cultivation, as it is both productive and nutritious, and is delicious when cooked while still very small and young. Sow in March, and transplant to deeply-dug and liberally manured ground, at a distance of 15 in. from each other.

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Lachenalia. (_Cape Cowslips_).--Charming greenhouse plants for pot or basket culture. Pot in December in a compost of fibrous loam, leaf-mould, and sand; place as near the gla.s.s as possible, and never allow the soil to become dry, but maintain good drainage, and only give a little water till they have produced their second leaves. No more heat is required than will keep out the frost.

Lactuca Sonchifolia. (_Sow Thistle-Leaved Lettuce_).--An ornamental, but not handsome, hardy perennial, with leaves 1 ft. in length and 9 in. in breadth. It is of neat habit and enjoys the suns.h.i.+ne. A deeply-dug, sandy loam suits it, and it may be increased by seed or division of the roots. The flowers are produced from September till frost sets in. Height, 2 ft.

Ladies' Slipper Orchid.--_See_ ”Cypripedium.”

Lady's Mantle.--_See_ ”Alchemilla.”

Lagurus Ovatus.--This hardy annual is commonly known as Hare's-Tail Gra.s.s. It is distinctly ornamental, producing elegant egg-shaped tufts of a silvery-white hue, and is fine for ornamenting bouquets. Sow in March, and keep the ground moist till the seed germinates. Height, 1 ft.

Lallemantia Canescens.--Bees are very fond of this blue hardy annual, which may readily be grown from seed sown in the spring. Height, 1 ft.

Lamium.--These plants are mostly of a hardy herbaceous description and of little value. They will grow well in any kind of soil, flowering from March to July, according to their varieties, and can be propagated by seed or division. Height, 6 in. to 1 ft.

Lantana.--These dwarf, bushy, half-hardy perennial shrubs bear Verbena-like blossoms. They like a dry and warm situation and rich, light soil. The seed is sown in March to produce summer and autumn blooming plants. If cuttings are placed in sand, in heat, they will take root easily. Height, 1 ft. to 1-1/2 ft.

Lapageria Rosea.--A beautiful climbing plant which bears large rose-coloured flowers in May. It can be grown in any light, rich soil, but a compost of leaf-mould, sand, and peat suits it best. It makes a very desirable greenhouse plant, and can be increased either by cuttings or by division. Lapagerias require partial shade, plenty of water, and good drainage. Height, 10 ft.

Lardizabala Biternata.--This climbing shrub has fine ornamental foliage. It is most suitable for a south or west aspect, where it proves hardy; in other positions protection should be afforded. It will grow in any good soil. May is the month in which it flowers.

Height, 20 ft.

Larkspur.--The Stock-flowered Larkspur is of the same habit as the Dutch Rocket, but has longer spikes and larger and more double flowers. The Hyacinth-flowered is an improved strain of the Rocket.

Among other of the hardy annual varieties may be mentioned the Candelabrum-formed, the Emperor, and the Ranunculi-flowered. They are charming flowers for beds or mixed borders, and only require the same treatment as ordinary annuals, when they will flower in June. Height, 1 ft. to 2-1/2 ft. For perennial Larkspurs, _see_ ”Delphinium.”

Lasiandra.--Stove evergreen shrubs, flouris.h.i.+ng best in a mixture of equal parts of loam, peat, and sand. They are propagated by cuttings of the young wood, plunged in heat. July is their flowering month.

Height, 5 ft.

Lasthenia.--A hardy annual of a rather pretty nature, suitable for flower-beds or borders. Autumn is the best time for sowing the seed, but it may also be sown early in the spring. It blooms in May. Height, 1 ft.

Lathyrus.--Handsome plants when in flower, the larger kinds being well adapted as backgrounds to other plants in the shrubbery, where they will require supports. They may be planted in any garden soil, and can be increased by seed, and some of the perennial kinds by division of the root. L. Latifolia (Everlasting Pea) flowers in August, other varieties at different times, from May onwards. Height, 1 ft. to 8 ft.