146 
Cold Stratification 
of Tree and Shrub Seeds 
In this issue and during the fall months, 
seeds of woody plants, (shrubs and trees) are 
in order. The handling of this class of seed 
usually is different than growing Petunias 
or Marigolds and many a purchase has been 
made of shrub and trees seed which we 
would not be surprised, never produced a 
seedling, all due to the lack of experience 
and knowledge on the part of the purchaser. 
A few years ago we had many wholesale 
orders from a firm, for Ilex seed. To germ- 
inate this type of seed, requires much more 
than merely covering up the seed in a seed 
flat. We doubt if there were many seedlings 
grown from all this seed. 
Now, it would be impossible for any seed 
firm to go to the expense of printing detailed 
instructions for each species. To give cul- 
tural direction on the common flowers such 
as Pansy, Calliopsis, etc., is a simple matter. 
To do so on Lilies still would not be so 
difficult but in the case of woody plants and 
all of the alpine flowers, orchids and many 
others, the instructions could run into books. 
Germination Problems to be Discussed 
All these problems will be discussed in our 
columns, in issue after issue, and the articles 
will be timed to meet the questions most 
likely to be raised, as different problems 
present themselves. 
Many seeds, especially in shrubs and trees, 
have a dormant period, when it is im- 
possible to get them to germinate. One 
must know how to over come these problems 
if he expects to get germination satisfact- 
orily. 
Different species, even, will require a diff- 
erent treatment and much of this variation 
is caused by the different climates where the 
species originately originated. 
Usually, nature ripens the seed late in the 
season and as it is best that nothing should 
happen to cause the seed to germinate be- 
fore spring, there has been an internal dor- 
mancy established, thus delaying germination 
till the spring, when they come to life. 
The easiest method to overcome this dorm- 
ancy is by what is called cold stratification, 
which simply copies natures way, by keeping 
the seed moist and at winter temperature for 
a short period, and then when brot to warmth 
germination starts without delay. 
Dormancy in Tree and Shrub Seeds 
Tree and shrub seeds are generally col- 
lected from wild or forest plants, that is 
they are not grown on seed farms and usually 
the seed is not ready to harvest till late sum- 
mer or autumn. By the time they are clean- 
ed and dried, it is winter and thus delivery 
to the actual grower run into the winter 
months. Therefore if the seed is stored in 
a dry place till spring and then sown the 
germination will in many cases be as low as 
10%. But if the seed is left undisturbed 
it will give a good germination the following 
year. It is because of this year delay that 
a cold stratification treatment is recommend- 
ed and practiced by regular growers. 
Cold stratification is merely the storing of 
the seed in some moist medium and then 
stored at a temperature of a little over 32 
degrees Far. for from 30 to 120 days, accord- 
ing to the particular seed. 
The various mediums used are sand, milled 
sphagnum moss and a granular peat. The 
sand is the most commonly used and must be 
clean sand; if it has any dirt, it should 
be washed. The amount used varies from 
1-3 times the volumn of the seed and should 
be sufficient to surround all the seed and to 
Continued on Page 147 
RARE SHRUBS AND TREES 
...We list below a part of our spring offering in RARE and HARD-TO-FIND TREES 
and SHRUBS, eoch one a gem in any ornamental planting. In following issues these 
will be continued.....The prices cannot be definitely marked at this time as the bulk of 
the offerings are imported and much will depend upon import restrictions which will 
have to be worked out during the winter. However, we believe these plants can be 
sold so that the price will range between $1.00 and $2.00; in all cases the shipments are 
FOB here, the express or postage will be extra, bult there is no charge for packing. 
HOW TO ORDER: We would like to know as soon as possible just what our custom- 
ers are interested in and therefore we will accept reservations now and will notify you 
later as to the actual import restrictions and the price, at which time you may definitely 
order or cancel any or all of your reservation. It will be necessary, however, to place 
your order before the first of the year. because time will be required to assemble the 
great number of different stocks, pack and get them shipped in time to be here and 
thru the inspection and still have them in the hands of our customer early in the 
spring. SIZE: It will be necessary to import in the smaller sizes mainly on account 
of costs in large sizes, but more so in that most of the rarer types of shrubs and trees 
can only be had in the small sizes....We will try to give all this information in 
later lists..... May we also call your attention to the limited amount of these plants 
that will be available. It actually is limited and it is very importent to reserve what 
you would like to have. DO THIS NOW, PLEASE. It will not be necessary to remit. 
ABELIOPHYLLUM. A slow growing shrub from Korea and related to the Forsythia. 
—distichum. Flowers white, tinged pink, fragrant, opening in February. 
ABUTILON megapotamicum. (vexillarium). Conspicuous flowers having red calyx, 
yellow petals and brown anthers; suitable for a warm wall; tender. 
—-—variegatum. Leaves wiht mottled, golden variegation. 
—Milleri. Flowers bell-shaped, orange, with crimson stamens; leaves dark green, 
mottled yellow; continuous flowering. ; ; 
—vitifolium. Very handsome, tall, Chilean shrub, needing a sunny sheltered site; 
flowers Mallow-like, pale to deep mauve. 
ACANTHOPANAX. Shrubs or trees with handsome foliage, related to Aralia. 
—spinocus. An elegant shrub up to 10 ft high; fruits are black. 
ACRADENIA. Tender small evergreen Tasmanian shrub, moderately hardy. f 
—Frankliniae. Leaves dark green, trifoliate, flowers white, borne in May in terminal 
flat clusters. 
ALBIZZIA. Deciduous, mimosa-like shrubs or small trees valuable for their pretty 
foliage and attractive flowers. A ; : 
—Julibrissin. The hardiest species; flower heads pink, produced in summer; with- 
stands severe frost. : : ‘ 
—uophantha. A shrhb or small trees with beantiful foliage and yellowish flowers in 
spring; only suitable for the far South. 
AMELANCHIER. The “Snowy Mespilus” or “June Berry’; a beautiful genus of very 
hardy small trees or. shrubs, thriving in any ordinary soil; the abundant racemes of 
white flowers are produced in spring before the leaves are fulyy developed; foliage 
often richly colored in the autumn. 
—alnifolia. A shrubby species with densely pubesrent leaves. : 
—asiatisa. An elegant small tree flowering in May and intermittently over long period. 
—nanadensis. A medium sized tree; the numerous white flowers are followed by 
maroon-purple fruits in June. ; ‘ 
—grandiflora. A hybrid between ranadensis and laevis. : ; 
—laevis. Small tree distinguished by its purplish young foliage and drooping raremes. 
—oblongifolia. Tall shrub with erelt stems, or small tree, very free flowering and 
loloring well in the autumn. : , ‘ 
—spirata. Bushy shrub to 12 ft. high; fruits bluish black. 
—stolonifera. Spreading, shrubby species about 4 ft. high. 
ARISTOTELIA. Following two species are native of New Zealand. $ 
—fruticosa. An extraordinary variable shrub; leathery leaves, varying from linear 
to oblong-obovate. : E 
—racemosa. A graceful small tree suitable for mild places. 
ARTEMISIA. Aromatic shrubs with attractive foliage. 
—Abrotanum. The ‘‘Southernwood” or Lad’s Love” of cottage gardens. 
—arborescens. The billowy filigree of its silvery leaves make this a charming sub- 
ject for the gray or blue border. 
BUDLEIA. A genus including several species of the greatest garden value thriving 
in almost any soil and reveling in full sun. The flowering period is July to September 
unless otherwise stated. : ; ; 
—alternifolia. Graceful, small-leaved shrub with long arching branches wreathed in 
early summer with delicate lilac, fragrant flowers. 
—asiatica. Dainty, cool greenhouse plant, bearing panicles of white, fragrant flowers 
during winter. 
—auriculata. Produces small panicles of sweetly scented, white flowers in autumn; 
a good shrub for a sunny wall. 
—candida. Distinguished by flannelly, whitish leaves and small racemes of violet fis. 
—caryopteridifolia. This seems to be the hardiest of a small group of spring flowering 
species; the fragrant, lilac-colored flowers are borne in the panicles on previous year’s 
shoots; leaves and young growth clothed with white tomentum. 
—Colvillei. June flowering, Himalayan species; the large rose colored flowers are pro- 
duced on old wood; while tender as a young plant, mature specimens have withstood 
zero frosts. 
—-—kewensis. A form with rich red flowers. 
—crispa. Leaves and stems white-felted; flowers in ovoid, terminal panicles, lilac 
with orange throat. 4 
—Davidii. This species gives the best results when given hard pruning each spring; 
the flowers are very attractive to butterflies; it does well too near the sea. } 
—amplissima. Huge panicles of deep mauve flowers. 
—Ile de France. Flowers rich purple-blue. 
—Pink Pearl. Dense panicles pale lilas with soft yellow reverse. 
—Prince Charming. A fine new pink variety. 
—Fallowiana. Foliage silvery, flowers very fragrant, pale lavender-bule ;large panilces. 
—-alba. Choice shrub with white flowers and orange eye. 
PIONEER SEED COMPANY DIMONDALE MICHIGAN 
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