8 
CARL PURDY, UKIAH, CALIFORNIA 
Short-spurred Columbines 
These are very attractive and the deep blue form of A. vulgaris w hich I have is well 
worth while. Very strong plants. 25 cts. each, $2.50 per doz. 
A. truncata is a fine species native to California and much better than A. canadensis. 
Foliage fine, flowers orange and red. Strong plants. 15 cts. each, $1.50 per doz. 
In A. eximia the garden acquires an entirely new strain. Its flowering period is long 
after others are gone, and the large, bold, orange-and-red flowers are very showy. It 
likes moist ground and can be grown as a bog plant. So conspicuous are the flowers 
that when I first saw it I took it from a distance to be a bog lily. 25c. ea., $2.50 per doz. 
Culture of Columbines. I think that all attain their best in full sun in a rather rich, 
loamy soil and with liberal watering. They will, however, do very well in moderate 
shade, and their foliage and bloom add a great charm to the fern-bed or rockwork. 
For moist rockwork, either sun or light shade, they are splendid. Prop., seeds or divisions 
in fall or early spring. Seedlings seldom flower the first year. 
ARCTOTIS grandis is one of the series of exquisite African Daisies. The blue- 
green foliage is attractive; branching stems rise to a foot or so and bear for a very long 
period lovely bluish white flowers with blue center. Last winter I found it a wonder- 
ful winter bloomer; recommended for southern California. 20 cts. each, $2 per doz. 
ARENARIA balearica, or Velvet Lawn, also known as Spergula, makes a vivid green 
carpet an inch or so high and spreads rapidly. The tiny flowers are white. Delightful 
for rock-gardens, flagwalks, or carpeting graves. Sections which can be divided, 25 cts. 
ASARUMS are Ginger-Root, or Virginia Snake-root, and are among the very finest 
of ground-covers for heavy to light shades, especially where a little moist. A creeping 
root-stock sends up large single leaves which are evergreen and like large violet leaves in 
form. They are 5 inches across on stems 8 to 10 inches high. They make a complete 
cover through which, however, bulbous plants will grow. The plant has a spicy fra- 
grance. Excellent plant under large ferns. Lay roots flat and cover lightly. Sit., shade. 
SoU, a loam with leaf-mold best, but any will do. Prop., runners. PL, fall to spring. 
1 have two species: A. caudatum is as described, with green leaves; A. Lemmonii does 
not creep fast, and has green leaves veined white. 15 cts. each, $1.50 per doz. 
ASTERS. The fall-flowering sorts are known as Michaelmas Daisies. See page 33. 
Hardy Japanese Asters arc entirely new plants, with a well-formed bushy stem to 
2 to 3 teet and bearing innumerable double white flowers. They are fine for cutting and 
a distinct acquisition. 35 cts. each. 
If I could have but one rock-plant it would be an AUBRIETIA. 
They are as hardy as rocks, resistant both to cold and dryness, and as winter 
bloomers in milder climates and very early spring bloomers everywhere are unexcelled. 
1 hey form a large circle of dense silvery foliage and produce so many pretty flowers 
that oiten the foliage is invisible. I have a plant which flowers from October to April, 
at times through freezing weather for weeks. Aubrietias do not come quite true to name 
irom seeds. In any dozen of a named sort one or two will not be true. As border and 
edging plants they are good. Prop., seeds and plants. Sit., sun. Soil, any and will grow 
in rock clefts or on very thin, rocky soil. 
Mixture from finest named sorts in Europe. 20 cts. each, $2 per doz. 
Arabis albida 
ARABIS albida, or Snow-on- 
the-Mountain, is a most excellent 
tufted plant, related to alyssum 
and aubrietia. The foliage is a 
pleasing gray-green and the pros- 
trate stems form a low, dense 
mat a foot or more across, which 
in late winter or early spring is 
densely covered with white 
flowers. A fine plant for rock- 
work or edgings and very drought- 
resistant. It will go through a 
California summer without 
water. Hardy East. Sit., sun 
and heat. Soil, any, but loose 
and open better. Prop., seeds or 
plants. PL, fall to spring. 
20 cts. each, $2 per doz. 
