CALIFORNIA’S CHOICEST BULBS Hardy Plants, Ferns and Shrubs Fall, 1919 Spring, 1920 Developed and Grown by CARL PURDY UKIAH, MENDOCINO COUNTY CALIFORNIA TERMS. CASH WITH ORDER Safe Carriage I guarantee that all bulbs shall reach my customers Guaranteed safely, and that they shall be of good quality. If bulbs are lost in transit, or are not good, I will either replace them or refund the money, at my option. Claims for Claims for damage must be made immediately on Damage receipt of the bulbs.or plants. Quality of A large part of my bulbs are grown at ‘‘The Terraces;” Bulbs all are of superior quality, and, whether collected or im- ported, it is my aim to sell only the best. Date of All California bulbs should be planted either in fall or Shipment early winter if the best results are desired. Very few can be kept in good condition later than January 1. I will not fill orders for Erythroniums later than December 1, and after January 1 I can supply only Lilies. Hardy Plants, Shrubs and Ferns can be shipped until April with few exceptions. Expressage, In every instance I deliver all goods, except trees and Postage or shrubs, free of carriage charges within the United Freight Free States. Under the new postal regulations, I can ship 11 pounds by post to Great Britain, Germany, Holland and some other countries. I can pack any order in parcels within these weights, and will, in every case, prepay postage and guarantee safe delivery. The post is both cheaper and more rapid for foreign shipments. Prices Quotations are for one and per dozen. Six will be sent at dozen rates. meverieies are Unless forbidden in your order, I reserve the right to send you equally good sorts and better value than you asked for, when a stock is exhausted. TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction (-)'o5; lal ba... erate cae an Me SMES Beulah te eRics ETE Rl SN al I Adapting Foreign Flowers to California Gardens.............0-000-0ccccceeseueee 2 How:to ReachiUkiah andthe Derracest’ "iu a ament eer tna ie) nn ee ga 2 California -Bulbsi ula, 0. (ened do ee ENO par cee eee et, Ate 3-18 Culturevof Calochortie Fi peaks vere. Net he wane. eC Ue ai il een ARR a ag 9 Culture cof Tetlies: sf 3% ace.) ty eae eal Nee NOE AE Oe RNA Ane, 16, 18 BeautifuleblardysPlants fora Califormianes, aaue a aie een ae ee 19-23 GaliforniasNativesherns Coc v nc tee ere pica aa nce ies Slate 2 oe en nab Ee 24-26 RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT Y first childhood recollections are of the sage-brush reaches and bare mountains of Nevada, for my family had made the long drive across “The Plains” from Michigan before I was four years old. A few years later the call of California came to my parents and ultimately we settled at Uldah. During these few years the beauty of our native flowers and trees made a great impression upon me, eventually developing into a strong love of nature and a desire to engage in the growing of many of these beautiful native plants. When I was about seventeen years of age my fate was decided by a simple incident: A flower-loving friend received a letter from an eastern dealer offering to exchange garden flowers for collected bulbs and plants. Desiring to increase my own collection, I answered the letter, and received a small order for bulbs—and much encouragement in my venture. This small! transaction indicated to me that here was an opportunity to engage in busi- ness for myself, and in a few short months I had laid the foundations for a European export business in native bulbs and plants. In a comparatively short time I had trained men covering the coastal region, who sent in to me the bulbs of their home sections, and I suspect it is perfectly safe to say that I have collected and distributed during the past three decades at Jeast ten million California native bulbs. Of late years the culture of hardy plants, landscape gardening, pe CARL PURDY, UKIAH, CALIFORNIA and other branches divided my time, but I still handle by far the largest portion of the California bulbs which go into the trade. ' In 1905 I added retail sales to the already large wholesale business. To meet the demand for hardy plants, and also to gratify my own taste for these beautiful flowering things, I soon accumulated an exceptionally fine collection. Soon the culture of Tulips and other Dutch Bulbs was introduced on the coast and my gardens at The Terraces formed a portion of the first trial grounds of the United States Department of Agriculture. When the Panama-Pacific Exposition was projected the directors asked if I would not take charge of the floral exhibits. While I knew that the task at hand would take a large portion of my time, and might interfere to some extent with my business, I felt that the opportunity should not be overlooked. I knew that the year and a half which I must of necessity spend in San Francisco would bring me in touch with plant-lovers and collectors from all parts of the world, and through them I hoped to add many rare specimens to the collection growing at The Terraces. The Terraces, which is the name I have given to my home place, lies in the mountains between Mendocino and Lake Counties, at an elevation of 2,300 feet above the sea and 1,700 feet above Ukiah Valley. It is a wonderful place from a scenic point, and has so many natural beauties that it makes one of the most unique gardens in the world. The Terraces are not of my own making, but are steps in the mountain-side built by mineral deposits. Over these a small stream pours, making endless cataracts and cascades, while the gardens follow the stream for well toward half a mile. Ukiah is on the main line of the Northwestern Pacific Railway starting at San Fran- cisco and extends to Eureka in Humboldt County, the great Redwood Region. It isa modern town, with good hotels and all necessary accommodations for the traveler. From Ukiah to The Terraces is about eight miles. The first four miles are across the valley; the next three miles are up the lovely Mill Creek cafion, and then a mile of moun- tain grade. The road has been traveled by hundreds of automobiles, from Fords to the largest touring cars, and no careful driver need fear the trip. Visitors are always welcome at The Terraces, and will find many objects of interest both in the gardens and along the roadside from Ukiah. It is well for visitors to call me on the phone from Ukiah in order that I may be at home when they call. SPECIAL NOTICE During the war only the American market remained to be supplied, and the quantity of California bulbs demanded was not sufficient to justify the long and ex- pensive collecting trips. With the end of the war this condition will not long prevail, therefore I am resuming the publication of this catalogue, and expect to issue it yearly in the future. While I cannot offer in 1919 all of the lovely species that I have listed heretofore, I feel sure that by 1920 I shall be able to present the complete collection. I am, however, retaining the arrangement of the groups and giving cultural notes which I have so long featured in my catalogues. It may interest the readers to know that these booklets are used in some of the State Normal Schools and other institutions because of their educational value. Special Attention Is Called to the Following Items: Brodiza coccinea, a genuine novelty in color and form. Calochortus albus and amabilis, unexcelled among flowers for dainty loveliness. Calochortus Vesta, queen of flowers. Camassias, most adaptable of bulbs, hardy from Maine to California, and thrive in any garden. Erythroniums, most lovely of woodland plants, and easily grown as far north as Minnesota. Lilium Humboldtii magnificum, a grand lily sure to grow and to flower well the first year. Lilium Pardalinum, one of the easiest of all lilies to grow in the ordinary garden. The California forms of Trillium sessile, far superior to the eastern varieties. Romneya Coulteri, the famous Tree Poppy. Acer circinatum, almost as fine as the Japanese sorts for spring, and far finer in the autumn. Lewisias, rarest of rock-plants. And to endless rare and beautiful plants, each with its own appeal to the plant-lover. PURDY’S CALIFORNIA BULBS AND PLANTS 5 BRODIAAS These plants have a small bulb, producing grassy leaves near the ground, and very slender, but stiff, naked stems bearing a head of waxy flowers of great lasting quality. All - are pretty. They grow exactly like calochortus, and their culture is the same, and just as easy as for that flower. In California they are easily naturalized in almost any soil. Plant them about 2 inches deep, with a trowel or dibble, and leave them alone. They are especially happy under oak or other deciduous trees, in crevices in rocks, or in rough, gritty soils. The Floral Firecracker, Coccinea, is well figured below. The stems may rise to 2 feet, while the flowers are a vivid crimson tipped with pea-green. The resemblance to a bunch of firecrackers catches the eye at once. A group of these bulbs in a mass of ferns or light-foliaged plants is striking, and they do very well potted. They prefer a loose soil, and preferably gritty. Large bulbs will cost you 6 cts. each, 60 cts. per doz., while giant bulbs are worth $1 per doz. Laxa is known as Blue Milla, and has a many-flowered umbel of fine blue flowers. It is one of the best for naturalizing. 4 cts. each, 30 cts. per doz. Grandiflora has a few large, glossy purple flowers of much beauty and great lasting qualities. The bulbs can be naturalized in any clay soil, especially if moist. 4 cts. each, 30 cts. per doz. Lactea has a close umbel of milky white flowers; the price is the same as Grandiflora. Peduncularis has stout stems about 8 inches high, at the top of which are very wide, spreading umbels of white flowers. The umbel may be 1% feet across. This species loves wet ground, even the gravelly bed of a shallow stream. 4 cts. each, 40 cts. per doz. Stellaris is low growing, with long pedicels and clear blue flowers with white centers; very pretty. 4 cts. each, 35 cts. per doz. There are several species of Brodiza called California Hyacinths, and a good one is Capitata. The stem is slender, capped with a head of violet-blue flowers. They revel in hot, dry places among rocks or in grit, and flower very early. 4 cts. each, 30 cts. per doz. A most dainty effect can be had by copying nature. Plant 12 to 50 B. laxa ina pocket in rockwork, especially where there are ferns or light, airy greens; they will thrive in either sun or shade. B. Grandiflora is wild in grassy meadows; if the grass is not too heavy they give a sheet of lovely purple in June. It takes quantities to produce this effect —several thousands at least— but they are cheap. The culture of Brodizeas in the East is as for calochortus, and they are about as hardy. They all do well in pots. Brodizas are fine cut-flowers and wonderfully lasting. a oh Wee 8 : ie PRE EZ 5 eae eB Ncw he Se as = a at Brodiza coccinea (the Floral Firecracker). Dazzling crimson; tall stems; beautiful for rockeries CARL PURDY, UKIAH, CALIFORNIA Calochortus venustus oculatus. This lovely Mariposa Tulip is one of the hardiest varieties; it is white, while the variety citrinus is deep lemon PURDY’S CALIFORNIA BULBS AND PLANTS 5 % Calochortus Maweanus (white), dainty and beautiful, 4 to 10 inches high; C. Benthamii, yellow; C. lilacinus, lilac; C. Purdyii, white and much larger than others. Dainty plant for shaded nooks or rockwork in little colonies. ~ CALOCHORTI These are lovely bulbous plants, which are best described under the separate groups. Section 1. GLOBE TULIPS Words convey only a faint idea of these flowers. Their form is similar, but there is a great difference in color. All are exquisite in tints and the perfection of grace in form. The plants are rather tall and slender, with leaf-wrapped stems of odd shape. They are natives of woodlands, delighting in loose soils and liking leaf-mold and light shades. At the same time, most of them will do well in heavy soils, and are fine subjects to naturalize among rocks or in shaded woods. In the East, as well as the West, they succeed very well if given the care suggested in cultural directions. Globe Tulips are very satisfactory for pot-plants, and a colony of six to twelve makes a most beautiful mass of color. Albus, Fairy Lantern. White. 3 cts. each, 30 cts. per doz. Amabilis. Rich yellow. 3 cts. each, 30 cts. per doz. Section Il. STAR TULIPS: CAT'S EARS Slender woodland plants well shown in photograph above. Fine for naturalization in rockwork and woodland. Benthamii, bright yellow; Lilacinus, lilac; Maweanus major, white; these at 3 cts. each, 30 cts. per doz. “My Calochorti were planted in a rock-garden in a very dark soil; about two parts loam, two parts humus, one part crushed rock, with a little sand. All did well, but the dwarfs (albus, amabilis, Benthamii, etc.) were the best, blooming in large clusters and continuing more than a month. I covered for the winter only slightly with leaves, and the winter was very severe.’ This from New York, and later my friend informed me that these bulbs flowered well the second season. CARL PURDY, UKIAH, CALIFORNIA rN Calochortus albus, or the Fairy Lantern (see page PURDY’'S CALIFORNIA BULBS AND PLANTS 7 Section Il TRUE MARIPOSA, or BUTTERFLY TULIPS Until one has seen a good collection of these plants, he has no idea how much nature can do in the variation of one flower. All Mariposas are simply forms of Calochortus venustus, yet there are six well-marked strains, all with the slender grace of stem belong- ing to the species. Cup-shaped flowers, one to many ona stem, wonderfully marked with eyes and dots and pencilings in rich colors, are characteristics. Yet each strain carries out the plan on a color scheme of its own, and then can be compared only with the orchids in won- derful variability of beauty. “Mariposa”’ is simply the Spanish word for butterfly, and is applied to these Tulips because the eyes and markings of the flowers are so much like those on a butterfly’s wings. It is a musical word given to a county and to a town in California, and we would hardly like to give it up for its English equivalent. Vesta likes full sun and will grow best in heavy soils. It isa species of my own, found on heavy clay soils, is the best grower of all Calochorti, and will succeed in almost any ordinary soil. It is a most superb thing, with great 3- to 5-inch flowers, borne on long, separate stalks; very numerous. The color is white, flushed with lilac or rosy purple, red at center, and purple on backs of petals. I think this the best of all Calochorti. Reports from European growers put it in the first rank. The fine photograph shown on page 8 does it no more than justice. I have very large bulbs at 10 cts. each, or $1 per doz.; good bulbs at 7 cts. each, or 60 cts. per doz., and small bulbs to naturalize at $2 per 100. (See picture, page 8). OCULATUS, CITRINUS AND LUTEUS These are most satisfactory flowers. Oculatus is wonderfully varied in whites and creams. The eye is large and richly zoned, the pencilings about the base are very delicate. I have had the flowers 4 inches across. The plant is a good grower. Citrinus differs only in the color. The flowers are deep, rich yellow, with almost black eye. It is most excellent, and is in great demand where best known. Like these two, in every way but markings, is Luteus. The color is a clear yellow, and the usual eye is replaced by delicate pencilings. Price the same as of the other two These three at 4 cts. each, 40 cts. per doz., $3 per 100 MARIPOSA TULIPS IN COLLECTIONS AND MIXTURES Perhaps a collection of these lovely flowers will best suit some customer, and I| will make a collection of 100 bulbs, in equal numbers of each of the four varieties above, for $2.50, or a half collection for $1.50. A mixture of fine Mariposa Tulips for 30 cts. per doz., and $2.25 per 100. VARIOUS SPECIES OF MARIPOSA TULIPS There are on the Pacific Coast of North America, from British Columbia to far down in old Mexico, a wonderful series of other Mariposa Tulips. They must be seen in order to realize the superb variations. At this time I can offer only the following fine species. Howellii grows about 8 inches high, bearing large white flowers with green hairs on the lower, inner portion; a wonderfully beautiful flower. 12 cts. each, $1.25 per doz. Leichtlinii grows in the high Sierras and is usually not over 6 inches high, with smoky white flowers vividly marked with almost black. 5 cts. each, 50 cts. per doz. Nitidus is a most unique and lovely plant midway between the Mariposa Tulips and the Star Tulips. It is a native of the northwestern regions, where it grows in cold, wet spots, and endures great cold. Strong-growing, with from five to ten blossoms in a head. The flowers are large and. white, with an indigo blotch in the center of each petal, and are covered inside with silky hairs. 3 cts. each, 25 cts. per doz. Macrocarpus is of the sage-brush regions of the Great Basin. The stem is stiff, with exquisite lavender flowers of large size, tinted green on the reverse. 10 cts. each, $1 per doz. Splendens rubra grows from 18 inches to 3 feet high, with large flowers of an exquisite satiny pinkish lavender throughout. 10 cts. each, $1 per doz. Calochorti from Prides Crossing, Mass. ‘‘I plant Calochorti in a frame after the middle of November and usually have good results with the easier sorts. This year they did extremely well.” From Victoria, B. C., comes a report of great success with Brodizas and Calochorti in well-drained beds, giving a winter covering of leaves. He adds that Camassias are highly prosperous. CARL PURDY, UKIAH, CALIFORNIA Calochortus Vesta. An exquisite Mariposa Tulip, with long stems for cutting; white, lilac or rose PURDY’S CALIFORNIA BULBS AND PLANTS 9 CULTURE OF CALOCHORTI IN CALIFORNIA Let the bed be slightly raised, with the drainage perfect. A raise of 3 inches with a slight slope will assure this. Soil. No fresh manure must be used, but any loam will do, although sandy loam best meets the needs of the greater number of species. Still, clay loam, gritty soil, or even adobe, if lightened with sand, grit, spent tanbark or leaf-mold will give good re- sults. The most satisfactory results are obtained with a soil that is light and porous, not made too rich with fertilizers, and providing thorough drainage. These require- ments can be secured very easily in almost any garden, and the results justify all efforts expended in securing proper conditions. If only a few dozen are grown, it is really better to plant them in a flat box, when 10 inches of soil is ample. Time to Plant. Plant as soon after October I as possible, and not later than Jan- uary I. Depth to Plant. Two to 2% inches is ample. Distance Apart. They will thrive 2 inches apart each way. Water. During our winter and early spring the rains are sufficient, but if the late spring is dry, keep the ground barely moist after April 1, and water liberally when the buds show for bloom. Care of Bulbs after Flowering. If the bed can be left dry all summer, do not dig the bulbs, and they will come up again in the fall. They should not be watered during the summer, and if the bed is where watering is done, it is better to dig the bulbs and store them without packing material in paper bags, in any dry, cool place. One advantage of planting in a box is that the box can be put in a dry place and the bulbs left undis- turbed. A box 2 x 3 feet will hold 50 to 75 bulbs. Gophers. These troublesome rodents are very fond of Calochortus bulbs as well as of tulips. If they cannot be poisoned or trapped, they can be kept out in several other ways. I have found that an underground fence made of 2-inch planks set 2 feet deep with an inch above the surface will keep them out. Another method is to make a fence of wire screening of three-fourths-inch diamond mesh underground. This can be had 2 or 3 feet wide. Still another good way is to make a large sunken box, with only the top of the side-boards showing above the ground; 10 inches is deep enough. Such a box can have a bottom of wire mesh or roofing tin. Pot Culture. See paragraph at bottom of page. IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES Calochorti will endure the coldest weather in the eastern United States, but suffer from premature thawing followed by freezing. (1) In Open Ground. Miss U., living along the Hudson River, has been successful every year with many varieties. She writes: “T have again had splendid success with my California bulbs, and have flowered every one. I planted them the first of November in rather sandy soil. The bed is well drained and in quite a sheltered spot. It gets the full sun until about three o’clock in the afternoon. Before the ground freezes hard, I give it 3 or 4 inches of dried leaves. These are removed in the spring when all danger of heavy frost is over. “T have found it a good plan to have a few leaves around the shoots for a while and to keep some extra leaves at hand at night when the frost threatens. In this way, I have succeeded delightfully with the Venustus varieties, the Globe Tulips and Gun- nisoni. My bed of Erythroniums was a perfect success. The Globe Tulips always give a good account of themselves.”’ (2) In Coldframes. With any ordinary care, all Calochorti can be grown splendidly in coldframes. They should be treated exactly as for open beds, except the soil will be better with some leaf-mold. Do not coddle, but simply protect from freezing and thaw- ing. After ripening, keep the sashes on all summer so that they will stay dry. I have glowing reports from customers who have grown them this way. (3) In Pots. While they cannot be forced much, they can be grown in pots fairly well as follows: Use a sandy or loamy soil with good drainage. Plant 1% to 2 inches apart, which will give six to twelve to a 6-inch pot. Moisten the soil and put the pot in a dark place, a cellar preferred, for about six weeks, to let them root. Then bring into a warm, sunny place and water moderately. After flowering, let them ripen well and then dry off and leave perfectly dry until fall. CARL PURDY, UKIAH, CALIFORNIA 10 hes across inc f Calochortus have blooms nearly 4 i ies 0 1et Some var PURDY’S CALIFORNIA BULBS AND PLANTS 11 CAMASSIAS Whether on the Pacific Coast, in the East, or in Europe, there are few bulbous plants which meet climatic or soil conditions better, or give a more attractive bloom. They are hardy without protection, and thrive either under ordinary garden conditions or when naturalized in open moist woods, or on the sides of ponds or streams, or in not too dense a grassy growth. In the West they thrive where they are submerged all winter. All eastern and European customers praise them highly. It is better to plant them not over 4 inches apart in masses of from twelve to hundreds. Plant from October to January in any fair soil, and 3 to 4 inches deep. Water liberally when growing and in flower, but it does not matter whether they are dried off afterward or not. The foliage is excellent. It is not at all necessary to lift when done flowering, and they can be left alone for years. Esculenta is the purple form. It is very rich in color, and grows as high as 2 feet in the best soils. It is very showy in masses. My prices, 3 cts. each, 25 cts. per doz., $1 per 100; flowering bulbs to naturalize, $5 per 1,000, not delivered. The variety Leichtlinii comes in three colors. In deep purple, it isa fine plant that may grow to 4 feet in height, with as many as a hundred flowers, of the finest, even form, star-shaped, and as large as an inch and a half across. It flowers in long succession. These at 6 cts. each, 60 cts. per doz., or $4 per 100. In cream- color, Leichtlinii is as large as in purple, but with the different colored flowers. It, too, isa very fine plant, and when well estab- lished reminds one of the Ere- meri. 6 cts. each, 60 cts. per doz., or $4 per 100. Leichtlinii in clear sky-blue, not so tall as the others, but has fine flowers. These at 5 cts. each, 50 cts. per doz. A Michigan customer writes: “Camassias are perfectly hardy without protection.”’ He planted Stench nae pee a SF From a Cleveland, Ohio, Amateur: “The Camassias : made a sturdy growth, more than 4% feet in height, cov- much of anovelty that his garden red with bloom and lasting longer than almost any plant soon became one of the famous that I know of (bulbous). I made the mistake of planting places of the town. them solitary. In future will make large groups.” Camassia Leichtlinii 12 CARL PURDY, UKIAH, CALIFORNIA WOODLAND FRITILLARIAS This group of these plants is slender and very graceful, with many pendent bells. They delight in woodland soils and conditions, and naturalize very easily in any shaded place or dell. The flowers are most charming for bouquets when mixed with grasses or other filmy greens. Lanceolata grows from 18 inches to several feet high; the flowers are mottled in green and brown, and are very odd and pretty. Recurva is another variety in most beautiful orange-scarlet, as pretty as a red lily. When Fritillarias are grown in the garden, treat the same as calochortus. My price for both is 7 cts. each, 70 cts. per doz. DOG’S-TOOTH VIOLETS. Givthroniums) The charm of these most beautiful woodland plants is well pictured in the accom- panying halftones. If they had no other beauty than that of their richly mottled leaves, they would be well worth a place in the shady corner. Their flowers are indeed very fine, and, in the western species, often 3 inches across, with stems at the most 18 inches high, although oftener from 3 to 6 inches. The colors run jn delicate tints of white, pink, cream, bright yellow and even rose. If given a winter covering of leaves, they are hardy in the coldest parts of the United States, and while they are at their best in a loose, gritty soil, rich in leaf-mold, they also thrive in the greatest variety of clays, grits, and rocky soils. In woodlands, in shaded corners, or in the crevices of rockwork in shade, is the place to naturalize them; they should carpet the ground. Plant in early fall, covering with 2 to 3 inches of soil over the bulbs, and from 2 inches apart up. Dog’s- tooth Violets can be grown in pots or in the coldframe in the way recommended for calochortus. E. Hartwegii is the best for pots. All my varieties are described on the next page. A customer within the city limits of San Francisco planted a colony of Dog’s-Tooth Violet ; years ago on the shady side of her house, and it has maintained itself since and flowered beautifully every year without care. In a shaded spot in one Berkeley garden, in the natural soil, a fine colony flowers yearly to the delight of its owner. ; pop ¥ * aha val E ‘