6 Ferndale Nursery—Askov, Minn. 1946 

PERENNIALS 
Wild Flowers, Rock Garden Plants 
When the early pioneers took possession of this vast wilder- 
ness known as North America, they found it replete with a lux- 
uriant growth of native plants. Throughout the vast wooded 
section grew not only the stately pine and oak, but also the 
dainty little houstonia and hepatica, the trillium, bloodroot, gen- 
tian, violet and a myriad of others. In the cool moist bogs and 
marshes grew not only the towering cedar and tamarack, 
but also the cypripedium and pitcher plant, while over the bound- 
less prairie were found almost innumerable sun-loving flowering 
plants and throughout grew ferns in endless variety. 
But we have cut down the forest, drained the bogs, and 
the plow has turned the prairie sod under to make room for 
agriculture. And, as if to complete the destruction of wild life, 
fire has swept the whole section time and again. The native 
plants have been crowded farther and farther back into inacces- 
sible nooks and wastelands where they are now making a 
last stand in face of destruction. 
Many of these wild plants bear flowers of indescribable beauty 
and daintiness. Where do we find a more beautiful orchis than 
the showy lady-slipper or a more delicate orchis than the haben- 
aria? No domesticated violet can compare with Pedata bicolor 
and rarely do we find a more curious and interesting plant than 
the pitcher plant with its wax-like flowers of beauty and interest. 
To many of us the fascinating scene of nature’s: garden lingers 
in memory only. .It belongs to days gone by when nature had 
not yet been violated by man’s mad scramble to subdue and 
civilize. 
But we can do much to restore this dwindling family of na- 
ture’s creations to a place they richly deserve. Throughout the 
length and breadth of the land there is awakening a great interest 
in wild plants. 
Throughout our Catalog we list a number of native plants. 
They have been brought together from distant localities. From 
Vermont to Carolina and the Rocky Mountains we have gathered 
them and they are offered to our customers in the hope that 
they may find permanent homes where they may receive care and 
appreciation. 
Hardiness. There is no class of plants more hardy when 
once established under natural conditions of soil, moisture and ex- - 
posure, and none so much admired as these rapidly vanishing na- 
tives of our woodlands, swamps and prairies. Join the ranks of 
the wild flower enthusiasts and get a real thrill watching these 
wildlings make themselves at home in your garden. 
Realizing that it would be utterly impossible in the space 
available to give even the briefest cultural directions for each 
species listed, such information as we offer is intended as a guide 
to aid customers in selecting plans suitable for their particular 
planting problems by stating conditions, not too limited, under 
which such plants may be expected to thrive and do their best. 
The presence of such conditions does not necessarily guarantee suc- 
ee but the lack of them will, in some instances at least, spell 
ailure. 
In selecting plants offered in this list, two objectives have 
been kept constantly in mind: (1) That the plants have merit and 
are worthy of a place in the garden. Plants of a decidedly 
weedy nature have been eliminated. (2) That they are strains 
of sufficient hardiness to withstand our severe winters under or- 
dinary circumstances. While these plants are of great hardiness 
and may be expected to give satisfactory results in the North, 
they, in common with all northern-grown plants, possess greater 
vigor, well known to horticulturists, and will give highly satis- 
factory results when planted much farther South. Some of the 
plants which require little or no shade in the North would perhaps 
require some shade in the South. 
