sk 
EMPETRUM “nigrum — Hardy, evergreen, densely-branched, 
prostrate, Heath-like shrub, with small, crowded leaves 
and inconspicuous purplish flowers, followed by large black 
berries. 4 in. Best in a moist, peaty, acid soil and light 
EhadesOnesuna rots) de hields ple2o. 
EPIGAEA *repens (Trailing Arbutus) —Lovely, creeping, ever- 
green plants, pink-tinged flowers of exquisite fragrance in 
early Spring. Requires acid soil, shaded position, and mois- 
ture at the roots during the Summer. An acid mixture of 
leafmold, peat moss, rotted wood, light loam, and sand 
usually give good results. Although perfectly hardy, the 
plants winter better with a light mulch. An old favorite! 
Pots, 75c and $1.25. 
ERINACEA *“pungens— very rare plant, seldom offered. Makes 
dwarf, spiny bushes with large blue flowers suggesting a 
blue-flowered Genista or Cytisus. Early Summer. The ap- 
parently leafless, silvery-green stems form symmetrical 
“hedgehogs” to 10 inches high in time. Slow to bloom but 
fairly easy in a hot, dry location with open, ordinary, loam 
and good drainage. From Spain; protect in cold climates. 
Pots, $1.50; field, $2.00. 

CHEILANTHES GRACILLIMA 
FERNS 
FERNS—Below are listed a group of rare, hardy, evergreen ferns 
many of which are not offered by other growers. The cul- 
tural suggestions under “’Dwarf Ferns’’ in ‘‘Distinctive 
Hardy Plants for the Home Garden’’ apply to these also. 
ASPLENIUM *Ceterach—A great rarity and very charming. The 
4 inch, dark green fronds are symmetrically scalloped to 
the mid-rib, each division outlined in light scales. The 
chaffy undersurface is brown. Widely distributed in Eng- 
land, the European Alps, and the Himalayas, but nowhere 
abundant. Pots, $2.00 and $2.50. 
*Ruta-muraria (cryptolepis) — (Wall Rue) —A tiny evergreen 
Spleenwort from eastern limy cliffs and boulders and widely 
distributed throughout the Old World, especially on old 
walls. Minute tufts of 2 inch ashy-green fronds which have 
few, roundish, toothed divisions and green stalks. Rare in 
gardens, distinct and not easy. Lime. Pots, $1.00 and 
S51) {S1OL. 
CAMPTOSORUS *rhizophyllus (Walking Fern) —In the East it 
often carpets limy ledges or boulders in shade although it 
occasionally grows in full sun where the foliage becomes 
a much lighter green. In shade the fronds root at the tip 
in the black leafmold to produce many new plants, thus 
making a thick mat. Undivided tapering fronds to 9 inches. 
Requires lime. Pots, 75c and $1.00. 
CHEILANTHES *alabamensis—A distinctive southern Lip Fern 
with rather dark green, twice-pinnate blades and black 
stipes. 10 in. Some lime and perhaps a little protection in 
cold sections. Pots, $1.00 and $1.25. 
*gracillima (Lace Fern)-—A compact, tufted: rock fern mostly 
from high elevations on western mountains. 4 to 8 inch 
fronds, twice-pinnate, with crowded segments, woolly be- 
neath and dark brown stalks. Pots, 75¢ and $1.00. 


*Sfanosa—A hardy species much like alabamensis in outline but 
covered with rusty hairs and having brown stipes. 12 to 15 
InweRots, >Oc and 75c: 
siliquosa (PELLAEA densa)—Very different from the Lip 
Ferns and still shifted from one genus to another. Dark 
green fronds with long, purplish-brown stipes and thrice- 
pinnate blades with pointed segments. The fruiting fronds 
have narrower segments and form an interesting centra! 
tuft. Evergreen and compact, to 10 inches. When estab- 
lished will withstand drought and sun. Pots, 75c; field, 
$1.00. 
*tomentosa—A very rare species offered for the first time. 
®> The narrow evergreen fronds, 15 to 18 inches long, are 
thrice pinnate and have dark stipes covered with brownish 
ae Attractive and has proved easy here. Pots, 75c and 
ROO: 
DRYOPTERIS *fragrans—Mostly an Arctic or sub-Arctic lime- 
stone (2) cliff-dweller and nowhere common. Evergreen 
fronds to 10 inches, twice-pinnate with tiny, regular divi- 
sions. Covered with brown scales beneath and producing 
a haunting, aromatic odor, especially when young. Difficult 
to propagate and stock limited. Not easy and a challenge 
to collectors. Pots, $2.00. 
LYGODIUM palmatum (Climbing Fern) — This fern actually 
twines and climbs! It should be planted beside an open 
twiggy shrub so its wiry, light brown, 3 foot sterns can 
thread their way amongst the branches. Actually each 
shoot of the ‘’vine”’ is a single frond. Attached to the thin 
stipes are pale green ‘’fronds’’ which are palmately lobed. 
The Climbing Fern is a rare, local, eastern native. It re- 
quires a very light, intensely acid soil and moisture. Charm- 
ing and unusual. Pots, $1.00. 
PELLAEA *andromedaefolia (Coffee Fern) —An interesting spe- 
cies from southern Oregon and southwards with rather 
bluish-green, broad blades and pale brown stipes. The 
many small divisions are rather blunt. Evergreen to 2 ft. 
Pots, $1.00 and $1.50. 
*atropurpurea (Purple Cliff Brake) —An evergreen native ot 
limestone ledges and boulders. Pale, gray green fronds 
leathery in texture. Few, broadly linear divisions and deep 
purple stems to 1 foot or more. Requires lime. Pots, 75c; 
field, $1.00. 
*mucronata (Birds Foot Fern)—A distinctive southwestern 
fern rarely seen in gardens. The stiff, evergreen fronds 
are light blue green and sometimes reach 2 feet. They are 
much-divided into small, pointed segments which resemble 
a three-pronged bird’s track. Stock limited. Pots, $1.50. 
PITYROGRAMMA *triangularis (Gold Back Fern) —One of the 
best western ferns. Broadly triangular, twice-pinnate 
fronds, dark green above and covered with golden yellow 
or sometimes whitish powder below. 6 to 8 in. When estab- 
lished will tolerate drought. Pots, 75c and $1.00. 
POLYPODIUM *Scouleri (Leathery Polypody) —A fern of the 
west coast which hangs from forks and trunks of old trees. 
The very leathery, dark green fronds, once-pinnate, have 
blunt segments. The large, golden sori on the under surface 
are conspicuous. | ft. Plant in pure leafmold and/or rotted 
wood and keep moist. Probably needs protection in cold 
climates. Rarely offered. Pots, $1.25. 
* 

CHEILANTHES SILIQUOSA 


* Dwarf Plants Used Mostly in Rock Gardens and Similar Locations 32 
