88 MAYFAIR NURSERIES, Box 87, Hillsdale, N. J. 
Silene keiskei. A very attractive tuft of little dark reddish-green leaves about 3 inches 
high and short 4 inch stems producing quantities of brilliant carmine. flowers in 
August and September. It likes a well drained gritty acid or neutral soil in sun or 
light shade. (pH 5-7) One of the rarest and prettiest of the Catchflys. 
Silene maritima, Lovely clumps of rambling stems about 4 inches high with attractive 
blue leaves and myriads of lovely white flowers in May and June. The neat blue 
leaves make it valuable as a foliage plant. It makes a wonderful picture tumbling 
down the side of a wall. It is easy to grow in a well drained garden soil in full 
sun. (pH 6-8) 
Silene maritima plena. The same lovely blue foliage as above but the stems are com- 
pletely prostrate, making a dense low carpet. The flowers are fully double and as 
much as two inches across and are displayed all through the summer. Give this 
rare variety the same treatment as above. 
Silene pennsylvanica. Hortus II calls this species S. caroliniana, but the one from the 
Carolinas is a bit different and is not hardy. A neat cushion of stiff, long and nar- 
row evergreen leaves about 3 inches high with ascending stems to 6 inches high 
bearing large rose colored flowers in close clusters in May and June. It likes a 
well drained gritty acid or neutral soil in sun or light shade. (pH 5-7) It is said to 
be biennial but I have watched one plant in a dry wall for 8 years and it is still 
just as lovely as the first year it bloomed. 
Silene schafta. Tight little tufts of light green leaves about 3 inches high from which 
come many slender stems about 6 inches high bearing a profusion of clear rose 
colored flowers from July to October. This little gem from the Caucasus is one of 
the prettiest and easiest of the alpines. It likes a well drained garden soil in sun or 
light shade. (pH 6-8) A charming companion to S, keiskei for foliage contrast and 
a lovely wall plant. 
Silene virginica. (Fire Pink) The color of the flowers is clearly described in the name. 
Large, deeply notched fire-red flowers in huge sprays on stems from 12 to 18 
inches high over low clumps of dark green leaves. It flowers from late May to the 
end of June. A native of Virginia that wants a well drained acid loam in sun or light 
shade. (pH 5-6) Sometimes it kills itself by overblooming, 
SISYRINCHIUM, (Iridaceae, Ir:s Family) 
Sisyrinchium mucronatum album. A very rare and lovely pure white form of the dainti 
est of all blue eyed grasses. Dense tufts of very slender, grassy leaves about 8 inches* 
high, with graceful stem from 8 to 10 inches high bearing large white stars in 
May and June. It likes a light acid loam rich in leafmold in a sunny or lightly 
shaded place. 
SOLIDAGO. Goldenrod. (Compositae, Daisy Family) 
Solidago brachystachys, The smallest and daintiest of all Goldenrods. Little wavy leaves 
in flat rosettes or tufts about one inch high and sturdy flower stems never more 
than 5 inches high with very large golden-yellow flowers in September and October. 
The individual flowers are larger than most of the tall kinds. It requires a well 
eee gritty acid soil in full sun. (pH 4-6) A rare gem that never becomes a 
weed. 
Solidago cutlerii. Just as rare as the preceeding and only a bit taller. Neat clumps of 
saw-toothed green leaves about 4 inches high and 10 inch flower stems bearings 
large showy clusters of bright yellow flowers in June. This very interesting species 
from the mountains of Maine begins to show its golden color in early June and 
carries some through to August. It likes a poor, gritty or stony acid soil in full sun. 
(pH 4-6 
SPIRAEA, Spirea. (Rosaceae, Rose Family) 
Spiraea bullata. (Spiraea crispifolia) A dwarf, compact shrub about 12 inches high 
with little rounded, dark green, crispy, crinkly leaves and little heads of bright pink 
flowers in July and August. A striking foliage and flowering shrub for a con- 
spicuous place in sun or partial shade. Jt likes a rich but well drained garden soil. 
pH 6-8). This species from Japan is one of the nicest dwarf shrubs for the rock 
garden. Newly planted young plants should be protected for the first winter. 
