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CARL PURDY, UKIAH, CALIFORNIA 
TRILLIUMS 
Trilliums are very attractive plants of the Lily family. The forms known as Wood 
Lilies or Wake-Robins are well known in the East and are fine woodland plants. Of 
these, (he liest is T. grandiflorum, to be had from most eastern dealers. In the forms of 
T. sessile, we have an altogether different tribe and a much better one from the stand- 
point of eas\' culture and ability to hold their own for years in the garden. There is a 
colony of Trilliums at Ukiah which, with no care, has increased in beauty for at least 
fifteen years, and I have seen many such. 
Soils Preferred and Characteristics 
A better plant for the shaded corner, damp woodland, border of streams, where the 
soil is moist, or for the shaded parts of the garden, does not grow. It takes a year for 
them to take hold, but they will then improve for years. There is no better bulbous 
plant to naturalize, and I have them in perfection in gravel, loam, sand and heavy 
clay, and in each case, with no care whatever, and with our dry California summer. 
SESSILE CALIFORNICUM. A strong plant a foot high, with the separate leaves 
inches long, by 4>-^ inches wide, and the petals inches long. Flowers pure 
white. \ cry fragrant. Forms masses of many individuals. 
SESSILE RUBRUM. Narrow petals; deep maroon-purple to reddish purple. 
OVATUM. Nearly related to the eastern T. grandiflortmi. Flowers open pure white 
gradually tinge pink, and finally become deep wine-purple. Requires leaf-mold and 
shade. For the redwood regions the best to naturalize. 
All of the above at 6 cts. each, 60 cts. per doz., $4 per 100 
WESTERN LADY'S SLIPPERS (Cypripediums) 
In the Far West we have three true Lady's Slippers, and Calypso borealis and Epipactis 
gigantea so closely related that they are popularly taken for Lady's Slippers. 
Culture. The usual soil is a fairly well-drained woodland soil, either clayey, sandy, 
or gritty, with moderate admixture of leaf-mold. Always sheltered, shady and moist.' 
CALIFORNICUM is a true bog plant, found only in nature in wet bogs of the north- 
ern mountains, or in the streams issuing from such bogs, and having a rather sandy peat 
soil. It makes strong clumps, with stout leafy stems 18 inches to 2}4 feet high, with 
rather small (proportionately) yellow flowers. Strong roots (divisions), 25 cts. 'each 
$2.50 per doz.; clumps, undivided, at 15 cts. the eye. 
MONTANUM is a most lovely Orchid, found in the forest region from Sonoma County, 
Cahf., northerly. It is not unlike the eastern C. pubescens in habit. The large flowers have 
white sacs and brownish sepals. Very fragrant, with the odor of vanilla. Extra-strong 
plants, 30 cts. each, $3 per doz.; good plants, 25 cts. each, $2.50 per doz. 
FASCICULATUM is a low-growing sort, with much the same habits as the preceding, 
but the flowers are brownish. Quite interesting. This variety is ofTered at the same prices 
as Montanum. 
CALYPSO BOREALIS is an exquisite little Orchid often taken for a Lady's Slipper 
It is almost always found either in mold and moss on rotted logs or in like soil on the 
ground in shaded woods. It does not root in the ground; the root is a little white bulb. It 
IS not difficult to flower the first year. 20 cts. each, $2 per doz. 
EPIPACTIS GIGANTEA is a strong-growing Orchid which spreads by underground 
runners to form large, close masses. It loves a silty loam near water, and its many 
racemes of brownish Lady's Slippers are quite ornamental. Culture is not at all difficult. 
20 cts. each, $2 per doz. 
I have not heretofore listed Lady's Slippers at retail, although I have for many years 
supplied them for export trade. No one can say that the culture of these Orchids is easy. 
1 would not advise anyone who is not willing to take pains with them to buy. 
I can and have naturalized C. montanum most successfully under conditions not at 
aU exceptional. C. fasciculahim also C. californiciim is not easy with me Epipactis 
gigantea is very easy, and Calypso borealis is easy the first year if planted in mold and 
moss in a very sheltered place. 
A customer in Kansas reports as follows: "Plants which I had from you did exceptionallv 
well, and especially Lilies and Cyripediums." 
