NAMED ACAULIS COWSLIPS 
The small, cup-shaped fragrant blossoms are held in a 
one-sided and drooping umbel. These are not showy like the 
QUEEN VICTORIA—Exceedingly large and handsome. Polyanthus but are held ay ress eae Dy Ore 
1 flowe f royal purple. 50c each. primrose types and who knew them in chi 2 
Nee es aaa ae a ‘i yellow, occasionally red shades. 25c¢ each. 
DOUBLE PRIMROSES 
Walking through the countryside of England, Ireland and France in the springtime, double primroses are to be seen on 
every hand luxuriating in shady spots, holding their dainty blossoms so like miniature roses up to the moisture laden air. Not 
only the few we know are there, but every color, yes, even blue, is common. Many have been there for centuries. : ; 
Of the few that have found their way into the United States the double lavender, white, sulphur and red edged with white 
are seen more and more often. The first three are very old. The double is undoubtedly one of the eastern Mediterranean prim- 
roses that sported double in England several hun- 
dred years ago. The double white may be an 
albino form of the lavender, and the double sulphur 
is probably a doubled English primrose. New 
doubles are produced by seed specially hybridized 
to that end over a number of years. But when the 
flowers are fully double they no longer set seed, 
increasing only by division, so that all the doubles, 
both new and old, scattered about the world are 
pieces of the original plants. 
All are very free flowering and blossoms 
should occasionally be picked to relieve the strain 
on the plant. 
DOUBLE LAVENDER —A shade of lavender that 
varies almost to pink depending upon the 
soil. 35c each, 3 for $1.00. 
DOUBLE WHITE—wWhite overlaid at times with 
a slight blush. 50c each. 
DOUBLE SULPHUR —Straw colored flowers of 
great beauty. $1.00 each. 

Double Primrose 
AURICULAS 
Few plants are rooted deeper in the hearts of the people of western nations than 
Auriculas. Native to the Swiss Alps, they were collected and cultivated by the Swiss 
and Austrians before the 16th century. Shortly after they were sent north to Belgium, 
France and Germany to become the darlings of the French and a cult with the Flemish 
weavers. They accompanied the Huguenots in their escape to England in the latter 
half of the 16th century concentrating first in Lancashire and Yorkshire before 
spreading out over the Isles. From there they came to America in the 17th cen- 
tury. Among some of the common names attached to them are Bears’ Hars, Tanner’s 
Apron, Dusty Miller, Mountain, French and Swedish Cowslip, with uncounted num- 
bers of individual plants identified by quaint and often amusing names. 

Scientists are still uncertain about the exact parentage of the garden Auricula 
but know at least three or four species of Swiss alpine primulas that joined together to 
contribute beauty and fragrance to their natural child. Such multiplicity of parents 
accounts for the endless variety of forms to be found in garden Auriculas. 
Auriculas are hardy as rocks but very sensitive to poor drainage. Unless soil is 
naturally rocky it is always well to work rock chips or gravel in the bed before planting, 
and after planting to spread a good layer of chips or gravel on top of the ground around 
the woody trunk to protect it from excess surface moisture. This thick, woody stem 
that is accustomed to sitting in rocky debris or on rock ledges is the Achille’s heel of 
Auriculas—their one vulnerable spot. They bloom in late spring with and after the 
Polyanthus ‘so that a collection of Acaulis, Polyanthus and Auriculas overlap their 
blooming periods and give a sequence of flowers from late winter to late spring. They 
bloom in clusters like Polyanthus on stalks 6 to 9 inches tall. 

ARTIST’S SHADES—Raspberry, leather colors, wine, plum and intermediate pastels. 
35c each, 3 for $1.00. 
P. Auricula ANTIQUE SHADES—Imperial yellow, mauve, some lavender-blue and brown, 50c each. 
