AMERICAN WILDFLOWERS, continued 
Sharplobe Hepatica 
Dutchmans-breeches (Dicenira cucullaria). Easily 
grown. The pale yellow little pantaloons are hung 
to dry in the breezes of late April and early May. 
They thrive and increase in woods soil on a shady 
slope. 10 in. 
Trailing Arbutus (Epigza repens). The wildflower 
everybody loves. Extremely fragrant, clustered 
pink to white flowers in very early spring. Fairly 
moist, acid soil in light shade. Get the soil from 
beneath pines or hemlocks if possible and mulch 
with pine needles. B & B plants: 85c each; 3 to 
9 at 80c; 10 or more at 75c, 
Troutlily (Erythronium americanum). Also called 
“Dogtooth Violet’ and ‘‘Adders-tongue.” Gay 
little yellow, lily-like flowers in May above the 
spotted, narrow leaves. Semi-shade. Should be 
planted only in very early spring or preferably in 
autumn. Plant deep in rich leafmold in semi-shade. 
_ Lovely under birches. 6 to 10 in. 
Galax (Galaz aphylla). Dainty racemes of white flow- 
ers above heart-shaped leaves in May. Makes a fine 
groundcover under azaleas and rhododendrons. The 
leaves, useful for winter decorating, turn bronzy red 
to crimson in sun or remain green in shade, persisting 
all winter. Acid soil and summer shade. 12 in. 
75c each; 3 to 9 at 70c; 10 or more at 65c, 
Checkerberry or Wintergreen (Gaultheria procum- 
bens). Exquisite trailing plant with glossy leaves and 
waxy white flower-bells in spring, followed in fall 
by shiny red, edible wintergreen berries. Acid soil in 
light shade. Grows particularly well under pines 
and likes a mulch of pine needles. Often planted 
with arbutus. 
Closed Gentian (Gentiana andrewst). Bottle Gentian: 
Flowers of deep blue, borne in terminal clusters, 
remain closed like buds about to open—but they 
never do. The rich blue flowers appear in September. 
Neutral soil in sun or shade. 12 to 16 in. 
Sharplobe Hepatica (Hepatica acutiloba). Choice 
harbinger of spring, blooming at maple sugaring 
time here in Vermont. White to pink, blue or orchid 
flowers nestle among last year’s fallen leaves almost 
before the snow melts. Evergreen foliage. Neutral 
soil in partial shade. 2 to 4 in. 
Roundlobe Hepatica (H. triloba). Similar to fore- 
going but requires acid soil and flowers are usually 
blue. Often interplanted with pink ladyslippers 
among ericaceous shrubs and ferns. 2 to 4 in. 
Crested Iris (Iris cristata). Easiest of wildflowers to 
grow and at home anywhere, especially in rock gar- 
dens and ledge pockets. Plant in colonies for a 
bright carpet of sky-blue, white and gold in early 
May. Practically any soil in sun or light shade. 
3 to 4 in. 
Vernal Iris (J. verna). Tiniest of our native Iris, with 
pale blue flowers in May. Excellent for planting 
among such plants as rhododendrons, azaleas, blue- 
berries and galax because it wants acid soil and 
considerable shade. 
Cattail Gayfeather (Lialris pycnostachya). Splendid 
open-field flower from the prairies. ‘Tall spikes of 
close-set, pinkish lavender, thistle-like flowers in 
August. Ordinary soil in full sun. 3 ft. or taller. 
Blazing-star (L. scariosa). Button-shaped, thickly 
set, lavender-pink flowers on 2-foot spikes in Sep- 
tember. Full sun and soil on the dry and sandy side 
just suit this desirable native of open fields. 
Canada or Meadow Lily (Lilium canadense). Airily 
pendent, golden yellow or orange-red trumpets ap- 
pear in midsummer when good wildflowers are scarce. 
Easily grown in moist soil in full sun to partial shade. 
Set bulbs 6 to 8 inches deep. 3 to 6 ft. 
Orangecup or Wood Lily (L. philadelphicum). Bril- 
liant, upright, orange-red chalices spotted with 
maroon in June and July. Best in light shade and 
well-drained, acid soil. Set bulbs 5 inches deep. 
18 to 30 in. 
American Turkscap Lily (L. superbum). Easiest 
native Lily to establish in your garden. Flaming 
orange blooms are spectacular in midsummer. F ull 
sun or light shade. Set bulbs 6 inches deep. 4 to 6 ft. 
American Twinflower (Linnza borealis americana). 
Charming denizen of cool northern woods, with fra- 
grant pink flowers in pairs on slender stems in early 
summer. Shade, acid soil and a pine-needle mulch. 
Nice with partridgeberry. 3 to 4 in. 
Cardinal-flower (Lobelia cardinalis). Reddest wild- 
flower. Vivid scarlet spikes in late summer. Moist 
soil in sun or shade; splendid along streams. Mvtcli 
well for winter if not near water or in shade. 3 to 4 ft. 
Large Blue Lobelia (L. siphilitica). Showy, bright 
blue spikes in August and September. Easier than 
cardinal-flowers to raise in ordinary garden soil. 
Light to full shade. 3 ft. 
Trailing Arbutus 
‘GROWN IN VERMONT, IT’S HARDY” 
PUTNEY NURSERY, INC. 
