Vallota

   DESCRIPTION: V. speciosa or "Scarborough lily," 2 to 3 ft., from South Africa, has showy crimson flowers in late summer and autumn. There is also a white form. The flowers are borne in clusters of five to ten above straplike evergreen leaves, 11/4 in. wide and 11/2 to 2 ft. long. The lower leaves have a purple cast which makes them especially attractive on a sun porch, or in a cool room with other plants in winter.

    CULTURE: Light, sunny. Temperature, cool (40-65°F.) from September to March; 55-7o°F. until warm weather. Humidity, 30% or more. Soil, equal parts loam, sand, and peat moss. Keep barely moist September to March, apply plant food and more water March to June, and hold on the dry side June to September. Pot up new bulbs in fall or spring, almost covering them with soil. Propagate by removing offsets at repotting time. This is necessary every three or four years, and is best done in June or July. If vallota fails to do well, and other conditions seem in order, check to be sure soil acidity has a pH rating near 6.0.

   Apocynaceae

   Tender perennials with milky juice and smooth-edged leaves. Flowers are regular, either solitary or in clusters.

   Allamanda

   DESCRIPTION: A. cathartica hendersoni, 5 to 10 ft., from Brazil, has leathery, dark-green leaves set on stems which are pliable when young but brittle and shrublike at maturity. The trumpet-shaped flowers are golden yellow, and reach a diameter of 3 in. This is a showy tub plant, especially for porch, terrace, or patio in summer. Prune stems back in spring to keep plant at convenient size.

   CULTURE: Light, sunny. Temperature, average house, preferably never less than 55 °F. Humidity, 50% or more. Soil, equal parts loam, sand, or Per-lite, and peat moss or leaf mold; keep evenly moist and provide biweekly feedings April to September. Withhold fertilizer and keep soil on dry side through fall and winter. Propagate by rooting cuttings of half-ripened stems in spring; keep in high humidity and warmth (75-8o°F.) until roots form.

   Carissa

   DESCRIPTION: C. grandiflora, 5 to 7 ft., from South Africa, is the Natal plum. It is a fast-growing, sprawly, spiny shrub with glossy, dark-green leaves. White flowers, 2 in. across, are followed by delectable red fruits 1 to 2 in. long. C. grandiflora 'Boxwood Beauty' is more desirable than the species as a house plant. Its oval leaves, arranged in pairs along the stems, overlap like shingles. The large, five-pointed, fragrant white blossoms are borne singly or in clusters at the tips of branches. C. grandi-flora nana compacta, sometimes called "bonsai carissa," is similar to 'Boxwood Beauty' and, like it, is an ideal plant for bonsai work (Chapter 9).

   CULTURE: Light, sunny to semi-sunny. Temperature, average house. Humidity, average house. Soil, equal parts loam, sand, and peat moss; keep evenly moist. Frequent overhead showering with plain water helps maintain the glossy appearance of the leaves. Propagate by cuttings of mature wood, or by sowing seeds, at any time.