6 
CARL PURDY, UKIAH, CALIFORNIA 
ARABIS albida, or Snow-on- 
the-Mountain, is a most excellent 
tufted plant relatedjfcto alyssum 
and aubrietia. The\foIiage tsja 
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 
Arabis albida plants. PL, fall to spring. 
15 cts. each, $1.25 per doz. 
ASARUMS are Ginger-Root, or Virginia Snake-root, and arc 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. 
Soil, a loam with leaf-mold best, but any will do. Prop., runners. PL, fall to spring. 
I have two species: A. caudatum is as described, with green leaves; A. Lemmonii does 
not creep fast, and has green leaves veined white. 10 cts. each, $1 per doz., $5 per 100. 
ASTERS. The fall-flowering sorts are known as Michaelmas Daisies. See page 27. 
AUBRIETIAS are most useful and lovely rock and carpeting plants. The many 
prostrate stems do not root at the joints but form a dense, broad mat of silvery foliage 
above which in many months succession appear the pretty flowers in great numbers. 
They come in various shades of lavender, blue, and pink. There are a number of named 
sorts, but I find the seeds very unreliable and am selling only a superior mixture. Per- 
fectly hardy in the East. Sit., sun and warm. Soil, warm and preferably gritty. Prop., 
seeds and plants. PL, fall to April. 20 cts. each. 
BELLFLOWERS. See Campanula, page 7. 
*BALM (Melissa officinalis) is one of the old pot herbs, but, next to lemon verbena 
the sweetest thing in the garden. The foliage is green. 20 cts. each. 
BELLIUM minutum is a gem. Its dense basal tuft of leaves is not an inch in height 
while the stems of this miniature plant are not over 3 inches high. The little white 
daisies are borne for some time in summer. Sit., sun. Soil, good, preferably well 
watered. Prop., divisions in winter or spring. PL, October to April. 25 cts. each. 
BELLIS perennis, the English Daisy. A well-loved old flower. 50 cts. per doz. 
BITTERSWEET, a freely climbing vine, growing to 20 feet and bearing an abun- 
dance of orange-yellow fruits which when open show their crimson seeds, and stay all 
winter. Strong plants, 50 cts. each. 
BLACKBERRIES may seem out of place in my catalogues, but the Oregon Ever- 
bearing Blackberry is a distinctly ornamental vine of great value for certain purposes. 
The pinnate leaves are beautifully cut and have the outline of a large maple leaf. They 
color in the fall. The fruit has a musky flavor and is delicious. It is a fine vine to cover 
fences or unsightly spots, to fill open ravines, to cover rough, moist road banks, or to 
mask a springy spot. It likes moist ground yet is most hardy. 25 cts. each. 
BLEEDING-HEART. See Dicentra spectabilis, page 12. 
BOCCONIA cordata, or the Plume Poppy, is a very large, noble plant, charming in 
every way. The very stout stems bear many large, heart-shaped, deeply lobed leaves, 
making strong masses, and the innumerable small pinkish cream flowers are borne in 
great plumy clusters, high above the foliage. They flower in midsummer, but the 
plumes remain attractive till cut by frost. For bold groups in lawns, specimens in the 
hardy border, or masses in shrubbery, they are alike attractive. Sit., sun. Soil, any good 
soil but if deep and rich and well worked the results will pay for the trouble. PL, October 
to April. For grouping, use six or more plants, 18 inches apart. 25c. each, $2 per doz. 
BOLTONIAS are stout-stemmed, much-branched plants which in late summer and 
fall produce myriads of pretty aster-like flowers. They make fine mass effects for the 
