SPECIALLY GROWN CALILORNIA BULBS 
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Brodiaea coccinea (the Floral Firecracker). Dazzling crimson; tall stems; beautiful for rockeries 
BRODL^AS 
These plants have a small bulb, producing grassy leaves near the ground, and very 
slender, but stiff, naked stems bearing a head of waxy flowers of great lasting quality. All 
are pretty. They grow exactly like calochortus, and their culture is the same, and just as 
easy as for that flower. In California they are easily naturalized in almost any soil. Plant 
them about 2 inches deep, with a trowel or dibble, and leave them alone. They are especially 
happy under oak or other deciduous trees, in crevices in rocks, or in rough, gritty soils. 
The Floral Firecracker, Brodiaea coccinea, is well figured above. The stems may rise 
to 2 feet, while the flowers are a vivid crimson tipped with pea-green. The resemblance 
to a bunch of firecrackers catches the eye at once. A group of these bulbs in a mass of ferns 
or light-foliaged plants is striking, and they do very well potted. They prefer a loose soil, 
and preferably gritty. Large bulbs will cost you 6 cents each, 60 cts. per dozen, while 
giant bulbs are worth $1 per dozen. 
Brodiaea laxa is known as Blue Milla, and has a many-flowered umbel of fine blue 
flowers. It is one of the best for naturalizing. 3 cts. each, 25 cts. per doz. 
In Brodiaea peduncularis we have a white-flowered, umbellulate species with very long 
flower-stems. It not only thrives in ordinary garden soils but does well along water-sides, 
even in the water where there is a gravelly soil. 4 cts. each, 40 cts. per doz. 
Brodiaea Purdyii differs from others in the flowers, spreading widely, with recurving 
segments. The color is reddish purple and it is pretty. This and the next species succeed 
in any garden soil, and will do well in stiff clays or what Californians call “adobes.” 4 cts. 
each, 40 cts. per doz. 
Brodiaea grandiflora has a few large, glossy purple flowers of much beauty and great 
lasting qualities. The bulbs can be naturalized in any clay soil, especially if moist. 3 cts. 
each, 25 cts. per doz. 
Brodiaea lactea has a close umbel of milky white flowers; the price is the same as B. 
grandiflora. 
Brodiaea ixioides splendens, called “Pretty Face,” is of a light yellow, and the umbellulate 
flowers are fine. 4 cts. each, 35 cts. per doz. 
There are several species of Brodiaea called Californian Hyacinths, and a good one is 
Brodiaea capitata. The stem is slender, capped with a head of violet-blue flowers. They 
revel in hot, dry places among rocks or in grit, and flower very early. 3 cts. each, 25 cts. 
per doz. 
A most dainty effect can be had by copying nature. Plant 12 to 50 Brodiaea laxa in a 
pocket in rockwork, especially where there are ferns or light, airy greens; they will thrive in 
either sun or shade. Brodiaea grandiflora is wild in grassy meadows; if the grass is not too 
heavy they give a sheet of lovely purple in June. It takes quantities to produce this effect— 
several thousands at least—but they are cheap. I have often seen pockets in the bed of a 
shallow, gravelly stream solid with Brodiaea peduncularis —with 1 or 2 inches of water running 
over them while in flower. 
The culture of Brodiaeas in the East is as for calochortus, and they are about as hardy. 
They all do well in pots. Brodiaeas are fine cut-flowers and wonderfully lasting. 
