These UNUSUAL PLANTS ARE NOT SOLD EVER\ 



Interesting . . . Useful . . . Easy To Grow 



On the next four pages there are some special and even exceptional plants. Some 

 are old; some new. You will find them either beautiful and interesting or useful 

 and enjoyable. Perhaps you have seen them in someone else's garden, but have 

 been unable to find where they are sold. Some, like the Chinese Date Tree, are 

 rare or scarce; others, like the Evergreen Christmas Tree Seedlings and the Herbs, 

 are quite common but somehow difficult to locate as small plants. The two Kits 

 of Flowering House Plants on page 37 were especially developed by us to bring 

 beauty into the home during the bleak winter months. We wish we could have il- 

 lustrated these four pages in full color so that you could see the real beauty of all 

 these plants! 



Looking for a summer-long 

 flowering shrub? This is it! 



BLUE CHASTE TREE 



(Vitex Macrophylla) 



This is an unusually graceful shrub. It has lovely, long spikes of lively lavender-blue 

 flowers that can be cut and brought indoors. It blooms profusely from July until fall. 

 It will grow more than 10 feet high for you unless you prune it back. A very de- 

 sirable summer-flowering shrub, with a distinctive appearance to make your lawn 

 or garden outstanding. Fits in well in the border and is also excellent for a lawn 

 plant because the form, foliage and lilac flowers are unsurpassed. In early spring, 

 the plant sometimes appears dead upon first examination — but that is simply 

 because Vitex remains dormant very late and does not start into growth until 

 the weather has become quite warm. Do find a place for it, for years of enjoyment! 

 15 to 18-inch plants, $3 ea.; 2 for $5.25. 



Another summer-flowering shrub 



ALTHEA, Blue Bird (Roseofsharon) 



Plant Pat. 1739. One of the outstanding recently introduced flowering shrubs. 

 Vigorous in growth, upright in habit, and a prolific bloomer. The large flowers 

 measure 5 inches across, are wide open, resembling big blue saucers. This Althea, 

 unlike the old Rose of Sharon you may know, is a much more refined shrub; smaller 

 growing, more colorful and longer blooming. This is a magnificent addition to the 

 small list of summer-flowering shrubs — a handsome addition to your garden. Use 

 it to add color to a border or in any planting of shrubs. You will enjoy this stun- 

 ning sight month after month because Althea, Blue Bird will bloom the first year 

 after planting and keep right on blooming. Altheas like plenty of sun. 2-year 

 plants, $3 ea. ; 2 for $5.25. 



ALTHEA, Blue Bird 



CHINESE DATE TREE 



Enjoy beauty — and fruit — from your 



CHINESE DATE TREE ^S!"™) 



How would you like to be able to step into your garden and pick tasty 

 fruit to eat out of hand, or to make jam or candied confections? 

 You will be able to do just that when you plant the Chinese Date 

 Tree — a tree that's easy to grow, and lots of fun, too. For centuries 

 in North China, the Jujube has been one of the chief producers of 

 fruit. Now this interesting, decorative, fruiting tree is available for 

 America's gardens. The tree is fast -growing, very erect in form, cov- 

 ered from spring to fall with lacy, bright green foliage, making a 

 handsome ornament. 



It grows easily in almost any type of soil and is hardy anywhere in 

 America except in the extreme northern states. It has withstood 

 temperatures of 22 degrees below zero. You'll have fruit the first 

 year after planting, and after that loads of it each year since the Juju- 

 be is a rich bearer. The fruit is 2 inches or more long, deep brown in 

 color, and sweet and crisp. It ripens in late August through Septem- 

 ber. The tree grows best and bears most heavily in high summer 

 heat. Our trees are grafted stock (not the young seedlings sometimes 

 ofl'ered that produce olive-size fruits). These are sturdy plants 5 

 to 6 feet tall. They produce fruits that are plump, meaty, and good 

 eating . . . about 2 inches long and 1 to 1 J-^ inches thick. You'll 

 enjoy the fruit — and the beauty — of this fine tree. 5 to 6-ft. 

 trees, $8 ea.; 2 for $14. 



34 



