Gray and white tones will not do a lot to brighten your garden scene. The excessive use of foliage plants tends to produce a drab and often dull-appearing scene. Garden high lights win result from Intelligent use of clear white flowers as well as grey-toned leaves. Most of these ornamentals grow as easily as any of our more common annuals or perennials.

Shasta daisies thrive in practically every region of Southern California. Hybridists have developed several new strains that show very little resemblance to the Shasta daisies of few decades ago. Many of the recent introductions have double flowers, the tones are almost clear white and the plants much more productive. Shasta daisies, depending on the particular strain, may be propagated from either seeds or plants.

Few plants will brighten your garden scene as effectively as Shasta daisies. Even just a few clumps scattered here and there throughout your landscape will work wonders. The clumps multiply and great masses of color are soon produced. For cut flowers these ornamentals are in a class by themselves. A few of the better and newer sorts include: Chiffon, white semidouble flowers with golden center; Marconi daisy, snow white flowers of shaggy appearance, often having a width of four inches; Esther Reed daisies, pure white, completely double florets; Majestic daisy, the largest of them all.

If you want a white rose and just can't wait until the dormant planting season then try Sleigh Bells. This variety is free flowering which means it produces intermittently throughout the year. It wants a sunny spot and plenty of ventilation. Also lots of water during the summer. Like all other varieties Sleigh Bells is a heavy feeder.

The season is late for seeding asters but nurseries have small transplants, many of which may almost be in flower. It is advisable, however, to select the smaller or younger specimens as they do not suffer so much during the transplanting- process. Asters are splendid annuals in Southern California for both late summer and early fall bloom. Excellent white tones are available in all the major classifications including: California Giants, Princess, Super Giants, Early Beauty, Improved Crego and Queen of the Market.

The most popular light-toned foliage plant for general culture in this area is centaurea candidissima, better known as "Dusty Miller." The leaves are most interesting, being grey in tone and having a leathery appearance. The flowers are yellow but rather inconspicuous, the plant being grown entirely for the gay foliage tones. This subject is splendid for a border plant and as such it-- will give your scene a sparkle that may be observed from many blocks away. The Dusty Miller is being used more and more in gardens that tie in with modern architecture.

Few plants are as colorful during the summer months as the fuchsia. This is certainly one of California's most popular ornamentals. New varieties are constantly being introduced Many of them are in pure white shades while others are a contrast of white with other colors such as red, pink and violet Fuchsias are known as shade-loving plants but It Is surprising how much sun they will take. They prefer a humid atmosphere and this can be obtained, in part, by showering them every so often with a spray of cold water.