Introduction to 50th Anniversary Catalog 
1903 — 1953 
Fifty years ago I established myself in the seed business and on November 3, purchased a nursery and 
lease at 440 S. Broadway. This nursery was founded in 1890 by H. A. Brydges. In 1892 the nursery was taken 
over by Lyon and Cobbe, after which, it passed through several hands until it came into the possession of Hugh 
Evans, from whom I purchased it. Later, I moved to 345 S. Main Street with a nursery at 33rd and Hoover 
Streets. In 1922, I moved to the present location on Los Feliz Boulevard. 
For many years, I carried on a general seed and nursery business, specializing in Flower, Eucalyptus, Tree, 
Shrub and Palm seeds, of which I had the most complete assortment in the West. 
Soon after starting in business, I began collecting seeds and growing a limited number of Wild Flowers 
and Native Plants, more or less as a hobby. Eventually, this hobby became the most important part of the 
business and the other departments were discontinued. During the past fifty years, between 400 and 500 species 
of Wild Flowers and Native Plants have been brought into cultivation and made available for general use. 
NOTE—William S. Lyon was a well known horticulturist and botanist of early days. The tree Lyonothamnus 
or “Catalina Ironwood” was named after him. Also Prunus lyonii “Catalina Cherry” and many other plants. 
THEODORE PAYNE 
PLEASE OBSERVE WHEN ORDERING 
How to Order. Write plainly your name, town, county and Local Deliveries. We deliver free all orders for plants amount- 
state, giving street numbers and postoffice box when ex- 
pedient. 
Terms. Cash with order, except for customers having estab- 
lished charge accounts. No plant orders shipped C.O.D. 
Remittances. Send postoffice or express money order, bank 
draft or check. 
Sales Tax. All customers residing in California please add 
3% sales tax. Those living in Los Angeles add 312%. 
Prices. All prices in this catalogue are subject to change with- 
out notice. Where large quantities of plants are required 
we shall be glad to quote special prices upon request. 
Shipping. All plant orders forwarded at purchaser’s expense 
and risk by express or freight. Orders for Wild Flower Seeds 
mailed free anywhere in the United States. 
WILD FLOWERS OF 
CALIFORNIA 
The wild flowers of California are unriv- 
aled by those of any other State for beauty, 
color and romance. 
These are the flowers the padres found 
when first they set foot on California soil. The 
flowers Nature herself, the first of all garden- 
ers, placed here. Flowers from the fragrant 
chaparral belt, from the mountains, from the 
valleys, from the seacoast, all can be grown 
luxuriantly in your own garden. 
We have brought these flowers out of their 
native habitats from all parts of the State; 
from foothills, from plains, from deserts, from 
mountains, from seashore. We have propa- 
gated and grown them in our grounds so that 
you may enjoy them in your “own garden.” 
Many species are being grown successfully 
in the eastern States and many other parts of 
the world. You will be well repaid for the 
little care and time it is necessary to bestow 
upon them. They will beautify your grounds 
and will bring to your surroundings some of 
the lure and the romance of the California 
of early days. 
ing to $5.00 or more to points within a reasonable distance 
of our nursery. 
Out of Town Deliveries by Truck. Where plants are pur- 
chased in quantities we can often make arrangements to 
deliver by truck for a charge less or not exceeding the 
ordinary freight rates. 
Packing. On all orders for plants to go by freight or express, 
please add 20% to cover cost of packing. 
Guarantee. We guarantee all plants to be true to name and 
in good condition when shipped. We do not, however, hold 
ourselves responsible for their growth, as that depends on 
the care they are given. In cases where our landscape de- 
partment does the planting we guarantee the plants for a 
period of 60 days. 
WILD FLOWERS 
I think that God must love the flowers, 
He makes them as He wills; 
He makes a lot more than we need 
and hides them in the bills. 
Yes, in the hills they are hiding 
As sweet as they can be, 
Hiding far from the sight of man, 
Where only God can see. 
The gardener takes the flowers 
And makes them rich and grand; 
A sort of aristocracy, 
I think you'll understand. 
But the wild flowers, they are different, 
In the desert wind they nod, 
And look as only things can look 
Fresh from the hands of God. 
—EDSON C. HARRIS. 
Na Ya a a a 
RAINBOW MIXTURE 
Special Gift Packet 
Large packet Rainbow Mixture California Wild 
Flower Seeds as described on page 3, enclosed in 
beautifully colored envelope, reproduced from water 
color painting of California Wild Flowers. Makes a 
very pleasing gift package. 
Price 25¢ 
SO SSS 
Copyright 1953 by Theodore Payne 
