16 
Californian "Bulbs, Grolvn by Carl Purdy 
DOG’S-TOOTH VIOLETS (Erythromums) 
The charm of these most beautiful woodland plants is so well pictured in the 
accompanying half-tone pictures that little of the description is needed. If they had no 
other beauty than that of their richly mottled leaves, they would be well worth a place 
in the shady corner; but their flowers are indeed very fine, and, in the Western species, 
often 3 inches across, with stems at the most 18 inches high, although oftener from 3 to 
6. i Their colors run in delicate tints of white, pink, cream, bright yellow and even rose, 
and all are fine. If given a winter covering of leaves, they are hardy in the coldest part 
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, rocky soils, and even sticky 
clays, as well as light sandy loams. In woodlands, in shaded corners, or in the crevices 
of rockwork in shade, is the place to naturalize them and they should be planted in such 
numbers as to carpet the ground. Plant in early fall 2 inches deep and from 2 inches 
apart up. 
“Our one great success with Californian bulbs was with Dog’s-tooth Violets.” — 
E. O. Orpet, in Country Life in America. 
“My bed of Dog’s-tooth Violets was a perfect success.”—Miss U, of New York. 
Dog’s-tooth Violets can be grown in pots or in the coldframe in the way recom¬ 
mended for Calochortus. E. Hartweggii is the best for pots. 
Grandiflorum robustum. A very attractive plant with unmottled leaves and flowers 
of the brightest buttercup-yellow. 4 cts. each, 40 cts. per doz., $3 per 100. 
Californicum. One of the very best. Flowers cream-colored, often with four to five 
on the stem, and the leaves are very richly mottled. It is easy to grow and a large 
colony is a beautiful sight. 2 cts. each, 20 cts. per doz., $2 per 100, $12 per 1,000 
for large bulbs. Smaller bulbs cheaper. 
Hartweggii. This variety is as pretty as the last and differs in having more yellow in 
the flower and that each flower has a separate stalk. Very early, and stands more 
heat than the others. Good for pots. Large bulbs, 2 cts. each, 20 cts. per doz., 
$2 per 100, $12 per 1,000. Smaller bulbs cheaper. 
Hendersonii. Like Californicum, but the flowers a lovely light purple with the centers 
a deep maroon, almost black. Most striking. 4 cts. each, 40c. per doz., $3 per 100. 
Revolutum. With lightly mottled leaves and fine flowers, one or two to the stem. It 
will thrive in soils that are wet in winter, if dry in summer. Flowers white, tinged 
purple. 4 cts. each, 40 cts. per doz., $3 per 100. 
Revolutum Johnsonii. Deep rose and very beautiful. 5 cts. each, 50 cts. per doz. 
Revolutum Watsonii. White, banded brown. 4 cts. each, 40 cts. per doz., $3 per 100. 
MIXED ERYTHRONIUMS. I put up a fine mixture at 20 cts. per doz., $1.30 per 100, 
$10 per 1,000. 
CALIFORNIAN 
In the number and beauty of its Lilies, California ranks next to Japan. Our Hum- 
boldtiis are among the most stately of the world’s Lilies. None excel our Washingtoni- 
anums in exquisite fragrance. Our Pardalinum is the best of all that the world produces, 
in its adaptability to ordinary garden conditions. Our Parryii, with its delicously scented 
lemon-colored flowers, would be placed by a large majority of the world’s growers 
among the two or three most lovely of all known species. 
My specialty is California Lilies, and in my Terrace gardens is the largest 
and MOST complete collection in the world. It is worth a long journey to be there 
when the thousands upon thousands of plants are at the height of their flowering season. 
Californian Lilies can be well divided into four sections, according to their affinities, 
and into two groups as to their culture. 
Culture of Qroup / 
The Lilies of the Humboldtii and the Washingtonianum groups are natives of cool 
slopes in mountainous regions, where they grow in forests, or where protected by a 
growth of shrubs. The soil is deep, perfectly drained, composed of clay or a rich loam 
mixed with leaf soil and the debris from broken-down rocks. 
In cultivating these Lilies, we should take lessons from nature: 
(1) Situation of the Lily Bed. They should be planted where they are pro¬ 
tected from cold winds and the soil is not dried out by the direct heat of the sun. On 
