14 
Carl Purdy, Uriah, California 
DOG’S-TOOTH VIOLETS 
(Erythroniums) 
The charm of these most beautiful woodland plants is well pictured in color 
plate. If they had no other beauty than that of their richly mottled leaves, they 
would be well worth a place in the shady corner. Their flowers are indeed 
very fne, and, in the Western species, often 3 inches across, wth stems at the 
most 18 inches high, although oftener from 3 to 6 inches. The colors run in 
delicate tints of white, pink, cream, bright yellow and even rose. They are 
hardy in the coldest parts of the United States, and while they are at their 
best in a loose, gritty soil, rich in leaf mold, they also thrive in the greatest 
variety of clays, grits, and rocky soils. In woodlands, in shaded corners, or in 
the crevices of rockwork in shade, is the place to naturalize them. They should 
carpet the ground. 
Culture. I keep the bulbs in a cool place and in barely moist soil. When you 
receive them, plant at once in moist soil. When the bulbs are out of the 
ground, they soon suffer from overdrying. Any loamy or gritty soil will do and 
light shade is preferable. In planting, set the bulb upright, with 2 to 3 inches 
of soil covering the tip; 2 inches apart will give room enough. 
Potting. One of the most experienced Chicago growers made a test of pot¬ 
ting for me and writes: “We had the Erythroniums in flower the first of Feb¬ 
ruary without any forcing except a temperature of 45 to 50. Californicum and 
Hartweggii were the best.” I would say that one could rely on these and all 
of the varieties of Californicum as well. Handle same as Hyacinths. 
Dog’s-Tooth Violets can be grown in pots or cold frames to good advantage. 
For potting, Hartweggii is best. Customers of mine in Michigan, Minnesota, 
Massachusetts, Ohio, or Delaware, as well as at Pacific Coast points, have had 
great pleasure from colonies of my Erythroniums planted in woods or other 
lightly shaded locations. 
For naturalizing, the bulbs offered on page 16 are excellent. Seventy per 
cent of them will flower the first year. 
Endless letters from pleased customers tell of success with Erythroniums 
from Montreal to Washington, D. C., and from Maine to Minnesota. That they 
are perfectly hardy, thrive with no special care, and stay for years is certain, 
and especially in all of the country north of California and east of the Rockies. 
All of the Eastern species exhaust themselves by the production of endless 
offsets, which fairly fill the ground, while there are comparatively few flower¬ 
ing stems in a colony. The Western species, with one exception, have no off¬ 
sets, but reproduce from seeds only, and a very large percentage of the bulbs 
flower the first and every year. Often there is a 100 per cent bloom. Even 
small bulbs flower. 
Delivery September to December 1. All bulbs are packed against a journey of 
two months. Plant at once upon receipt in soil that is at least barely moist. 
If any delay, store in a cool place. 
Flowering Season of Erythroniums: All are among the earliest flowers. 
Hartweggii is notably early, the Revolution group latest. The entire season is 
over a month, which is here from February to April 15. In the East I would 
say from April 1 on. 
FIRST GROUP 
Californicum has large cream-colored flowers. Leaves richly mottled. Easy 
to grow, and a large colony is a beautiful sight. Large bulbs, 5 cts. each; 50 
cts. per doz.; $3.50 per 100; smaller bulbs cheaper. 
Californicum Bicolor, as its name signifies, has two vividly contrasting colors. 
The outer half of the petals is pure white, the inner bright chrome yellow, 
while the stamens are a rich gold. All Erythroniums have a faint fragrance, 
but “Bicolor” has a pronounced and delicious fragrance, enough so that from 
a few sprays the fragrance is noted across a room and from a bed in the open 
instantly catches one’s attention. It is an exceptionally good grower. Alto¬ 
gether one of the very best of all. 6 cts. each; 60 cts. per doz.; $4.00 per 100. 
