Waker ROBIN FarM, HoME, PENNSYLVANIA 
Rose, Wild (Rosa virginiana). Queen of flowers, 
this wild rose, native to Pennsylvania, is a low, « 
bushy, tree-like shrub, from a few inches to 3 
or 4 feet high. The richly pink, shell-like blos- 
soms open successively from May to July, form- 
ing round, hairy, red berries in the fall, which 
cling to their separate stems through the winter. 
Slender, sharp thorns throughout the stalk and 
branches with finely hairy flower stems. Head and 
prototype of the mighty family Rosacee (apple, 
pear, plum, cherry, chokeberry, raspberry, black- 
berry, to name a very few), the Wild Rose, or 
Rosa, is the only genus of the tribe Rosee of the 

family Rosacee. There seem to be very few spec- WILD ROSE 
ies of the Rosa genus, and this Rosa virginiana 
seems to be broadly typical of them all. Many flowers on a bush, it blooms con- 
stantly through its season and the berries continue pleasing against the winter snow. 
85c¢ each. 
Saxifrage, Early; Virginia Saxifrage (Saxifraga virginiensis). The very name, meaning 
“Rock-Breaker,” suggests the favored habitat, in rocky crevices, giving the illusion 
of having split the stones apart. Especially suited to the rock garden. Saxifrage 
grows almost anywhere, in full sunshine or light shade, in dry or rocky woodland, 
hugging banks and ledges. Small, clustered white flowers rise 3 to 6 inches above 
the flattened rosette of basal leaves, which seem to cling to shaly steeps. Quite 
early, blooming mainly in April, seeding fréely. 25¢ each; $2.50 for 12. 
Shinleaf (Pyrola elliptica). The “Shin-plaster plant’ so named becatise of early English 
peasant iise of its leaves on bruises (any plaster was a shin plaster), is a very 
fragrant, bell-like flower, nodding in a vertical cliister at the top of a stem 4 to 6 
inches high, suggesting lilies of the valley. Leavés are dark, olive-green, elliptical, 
compared by the Romans with pear leaves, whence the name Pyrola. Likes the 
company of Pipsissewa and Spotted Wintergreen, its Chimaphila cousins of the 
Heath Family, with very similar long roots extending in summer to form next 
year’s bud. 25¢ each. 
Shooting Star; American Cowslip (Dodecatheon meadia). Like a miniature burst of 
fireworks, the rose pink, dart-shaped blossoms point downward in a group at the 
top of a slender stalk, 8 to 15 inches high, thrusting up from low root foliage. 
Blooms in May and early June. Good for the hardy border, grows anywhere, but 
more beautiful when planted in conditions resembling moist hillsides, cliffs and 
open woods. Can be propagated better and faster from root-cuttings than from 
seed. The Greek name means “twelve gods,” and it is so striking that it has 
acquired nicknames like Indian Chief, Roosterhead, Johnny-Jump-Up and Pride-of- 
Ohio. 30¢ each. 
Skull Cap (Scutellaria serrata). Hardy, i to 2 feet tall, guarded at the top by a cluster 
of flowers like little gargoyles or snapdragons, blue in the face with fierce little 
open mouths. Showiest of the dozen members of this genus of the Labiate (lipped) 
or Mint Family, and distinguished by its long corolla (petals) and lips of equal 
length, Blooms in June and July. Easily multiplied from seed. 30c each; $3.00 for 12. 
14 
