26 
Carl Purdy, Uriah, California 
LEWISIAS 
DECIDUOUS LEWISIAS 
CULTURE OF DECIDUOUS LEWISIAS: With the exception of L. rediviva, 
all of these grow where the soil is decidedly moist during the growing season. 
Some grow where melting snows keep the soil quite wet. They like a fair loamy 
soil, well drained in the sense that water must not become stagnant on them 
and they may be dried off after flowering. This year I made a bed for Lewisia 
oppositifolia that was level so that it could be flooded every few days, yet 
drained off freely. I have never seen such fine growth and flowers before. 
While L. rediviva grows on rocky ridges in pockets or small depressions I 
begin to suspect that it, too, likes quite moist soil when growing. The soil in 
which it is found is very retentive of moisture and probably holds more than 
the surface appearance indicates. At any rate my moistest bed was far the best. 
This group should be planted in full sun. 
Bernardensis. I have just received a consignment of this entirely new species 
but can give no description of it, except that in general habit and root it re¬ 
sembles Nevadensis and that it is one of the rarest of Lewisias. 40 cts. each; 
3 for $1. 
Brachycalyx. This is a real addition to this lovely genus, a real gem for 
the rock garden, and I think the first time ever offered to garden lovers. It 
has a many leaved rosette of light green flattish lanceolate leaves, making a 
circle that nestles close to the ground. The stemless flowers come in such pro¬ 
fusion as to fairly hide the plant. The flowers are IV 2 to 2 inches across, white 
tinted pink. 40 cts. each; 3 for $1.00. 
Nevadensis is a little plant a few inches high, with a rosette of basal linear 
leaves and very many flowers on separate, almost naked stem a few inches high. 
The very pretty flowers are an inch or so across, white much tinted lavender. 
It grows in a loamy soil which is quite moist throughout the growing season 
and in full sun. After flower the foliage disappears and the little bulb-like root 
remains dormant until the fall rains start them again. 15 cts. each; 3 for 40 
cts.; $1.50 per doz. 
Oppositifolia has leaves either linear or slightly broadened at tip and few 
in number. Scapes 6 to 12 in. arise erectly and bear beautiful white flowers 
over an inch across and tinted pink. A most beautiful little species. Habit and 
culture as for Nevadensis. 15 cts. each; 3 for 40 cts.; $1.50 per doz. 
Rediviva is Bitter Root. Many thick linear leaves an inch to two inches long 
crown the root and make a dense rosette. Through these leaves arise many 
stems bearing each a single flower. The flowers are white to pink and 1 y 2 inch 
across and have the satiny texture of a Cactus flower. Cult., a raised situation to 
insure perfect drainage. Soil composed of half grit and remainder equal parts 
of loam and humus or Holland peat. Sit., full sun, a pocket in a dry rock gar¬ 
den is admirable. Foliage disappears after flowering. 25 cts. each; 3 for 60 
cts.; $2.00 per doz. See picture, page 27. 
Rediviva Soft Pink. I have found a strain where the color is a lovely soft 
pink. 30 cts. each; 3 for 75 cts.; $2.50 per doz. 
Rediviva Deep Rose is a lovely, uniform, deeper shade of this beautiful 
species. Each 30 cts.; $3 per doz. 
NOTE—This group flowers April-May. Can be planted either fall or spring 
hut I urge fall planting as plants sent in spring may have already bloomed here 
or will ripen there without flowering. 
New Canaan, Conn.: “I was delighted with the Erythroniums you sent me 
last fall ” 
Hemerocallis or Day Lilies survived and flowered wonderfully during the 
drouth that so much of America suffered from a year ago. 
