Lasthenia

Two species. Hardy annuals. Seeds sown in autumn. Common soil.

Latania

Three species. Stove palms. Seed. Rich loam, abundantly-watered.

Laterals

Laterals, or side shoots, are those which spring from the sides of the main branches, and are thus described in contradistinction to the terminal or leading shoots of the branches. The laterals on the lower branches, like those branches themselves, are usually longer as they approach the base of the tree, because they extend to obtain the benefit of the light kept from them by the branches above. If unable thus to extend, as in the case of inner trees of those planted in clumps, the laterals die, and occasion the denudation of their trunks. If the terminal shoot be cut away, the laterals increase more in length, not only because more sap is thus afforded them, but because an extra effort is made to advance into the desired degree of light.

Lathyrus

Fifty-four species. Chiefly hardy perennial climbers, among which is the Everlasting Sweet Pea: but many are annuals. Seed. Common soil.

Laurel

Laurus.

Laurel Cherry

Cerasus lau-ro-rerasus.

Laurestinus

Viburnum tinus.

Laurus

Twenty-five species. Hardy, green-house and stove, some evergreen, others deciduous. This genus includes the laurel, bay, benzoin, and sassafras trees. Layers and cuttings. Sandy loam.

Pruning

The best month for pruning the common laurel, and probably the whole of the evergreens of this genus, is April.

Lavatera

Twenty-five species. Some hardy herbaceous, increased by 6eed and division, in common soil; and the annuals and biennials may be spring-sown in the same. The greenhouse and half-hardy are propagated by ripe cuttings in sandy loam.

Lavender

Lavandula.

Lavender Cotton

Santolina.

Lavradia

Lavradia montana. Stove evergreen shrub. Cuttings. Loam, peat and sand.

Lawn Rake

Lawn Rake, See article Turf.

Lawsonia

Two species. Stove evergreen trees. Cuttings. Loam, peat, and sand.

Laxmannia

Laxmannia gracile. Greenhouse herbaceous. Division. Loam and peat.

Leatherwood

Dirca.

Lebeckia

Six species. Greenhouse evergreen shrubs. Seeds and cuttings. Sandy loam and peat.

Lebretonia

Pavonia.

Lechenaultia

Two species. Green-house evergreen shrubs. Young cuttings. Sandy loam and peat.

Lecythis

Six species. Stove evergreen shrubs. Ripe cuttings. Sandy loam.

Ledon Gum

Cistus ledon.

Ledum

Three species. Hardy evergreen shrubs. Layers. Bog earth.

Lee-Chee

Euphoria lichi.

Leianthus

Leianthus Nigrescent. Greenhouse biennial. Seed. Light rich loam.

Leimanthium

Three species. Hardy herbaceous. Seed. Wet peat soil.

Leonitopodium

Leonitopodium helveticum. Hardy herbaceous. Seed or division. Peat.

Leonurus

Eight species, besides varieties. Hardy perennials, biennials, and annuals. Seed. Common soil.

Leopard's Bane

Doronicum.

Lepanthes

Two species. Stove epiphytes. Offsets. Damp moss under a bell glass.

Lepechinia

Two species. Hardy herbaceous. Cuttings. Peat and loam.