Historic, archived document Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. THE Aske NURSERIES Nationally known for Wildflowers BLOODROOT “Grown in Vermont, Jt’s Hardy’’ 1944 PUTNEY, VERMONT 1944 Page 2 THE AIKEN NURSERIES, PUTNEY, VERMONT ESSENTIAL INFORMATION Please Kead Before Ordering Our old friends are familiar with our business methods. For the benefit of new customers who will be ordering plants from us for the first time this year, we give the following information and suggestions. TRANSPORTATION The customer pays all transportation charges from Putney. We pack the plants and deliver them to the local post office or express station without additional charge except for wooden boxes when required. which are charged at approximately 5 cents per square foot of outside area. We ship by parcel post prepaid and ask you to remit the amount of postage as soon as you receive our notice of shipment. [Express shipments are sent charges collect unless you make a specific request that they be shipped prepaid. In such cases please remit at once the amount we notify you we have advanced for the express charges. Our whole purpose is to get the plants to you as quickly and economically and safely as possible. GUARANTEE All plants are guaranted true to name and free from disease. A certificate of inspection accompanies every shipment. We further guarantee arrival of the plants in satisfactory condition. Should any express shipment arrive in poor condition, obtain a bad order receipt from your express agent and notify us immediately. In the case of parcel post shipments damaged in transit, return them to us by return mail. We will not replace plants under any other conditions. PLANTING AND WATERING Open the package and remove the plants as soon as received. Set them out at ‘once. or, for second best, heel them in. Fruit trees and dormant shrubs may be left in a cool cellar for a few days if the roots are kept moist in the packing material. Never wet the tops of strawberry plants; it rots the crowns. Plants which have been delayed in transit and have dried out considerably should be soaked over night in a pail or tub of water before planting. A thorough soaking never hurts roses and fruit plants. PRICES The prices in this catalog are subject to change. but unless the difference is very small, we shall not ship material at increased prices without your permission. We do not sub- stitute without permission of the customer. In ordering roses and fruits of which there is a national shortage, we suggest that you do permit us to substitute for any varieties sold out. Always remember that quantity prices are for plants exactly alike in variety and size to be sent in one shipment. Please use the Latin binomials as much as possible when ordering. One or two plants are priced at the single plant rate. Jour or more plants receive the ten rate. THE AIKEN NURSERIES, PUT EY, VERMONT Page 3 WILDFLOWERS of North America “The question is often asked me as to who should attempt growing wildflowers?” My answer is anyone who likes them well enough to take care of them, for there are species of North American plants that will thrive under almost any conditions if given reasonable attention. The following list native wildtlowers —I*rom “Pioneering with Wildflowers,” by GeorcE D. AIKEN. is arranged alphabetically by their Latin binomials. Please use these names when ordering. BANEBERRY (Actaea) CLAMBERING MONKSHOOD, Aconitum un- cinatum. This true Monkshood from the southern Appalachians grows in any good garden soil and likes something to climb upon. A native shrub such as Arrow-wood will serve it very well. Bright blue flowers in July. SWEETFLAG, Acorus calamus. Blossom is a spadix covered with minute, brownish yellow flow- ers. Its rhizome is the source of candied Sweetflag root. Wet soil. 2 ft. WHITE BANEBERRY (DOLL’S EYES), Actaea alba. Cream-white, feathery flowers in May fol- lowed by clusters of glossy, snow-white berries each tipped with a black dot. Light to dense shade in leaf mold. 2 ft. or taller. RED BANEBERRY, Actaea rubra. One of the most permanent and most desirable plants. Fluffy, white flower heads in May followed in July by fruit of intense scarlet turning to crimson. Rich, moist soil in partial shade. 2 ft. WINDFLOWER, Anemone quinquefolia. Tiny white drinking cups of the fairies in May. Good woods soil in partial shade. As the plants com- pletely disappear after flowering, care must be taken not to disturb their roots during Summer. 4 to 7 in. AMERICAN COLUMBINE, Aquilegia canaden- sis. Scarlet and gold, spurred little flowers perched iirily on slender stems in May and June. Look loveliest growing out of ledge pockets. Do well in sun or shade in any good soil. 1 to 2 ft. GOLDEN COLUMBINE, Aquilegia chrysantha. See the Perennial section for description of this native of northern Arizona mountains. SANDWORT, Arenaria stricta. woods soil. Partial shade. 3 to 4 in. SWAMP MILKWEED, Ascelepias incarnata. Deep rose-red flower heads on 3 to 5 foot stalks in late June and July. Sun or very light shade in moist loam or in boggy locations. BUTTERFLYWEED, Asclepias tuberosa. If this is a weed, we need more of them! Flower heads varying from lemon yellow through orange to flame in July and August. Plant in full sun in well drained soil. Attracts hosts of butterflies. 1 to 2 ft. NEW ENGLAND ASTER, Aster novae-angliae. Deep blue flowers on 4 to 6 foot stalks in Septem- ber. For the background of the garden, open sunny glades or along the edges of woods or shrub borders. Any good garden soil in full sun. PINK NEW ENGLAND ASTER, A. novae- angliae rosea. Like the above except that the blossoms are rose-colored. Not so tall. WILD CALLA, Calla palustris. Waxy white flowers like the old-fashioned indoor Calla Lily, but not so large. Blooms in June. Cardinal-red fruits. For the damp border or to edge a pool. 5 to 9 in. MARSH MARIGOLD, Caltha palustris. Pots of gold for the sunny bog-garden. Brilliant yellow flowers like large Buttercups in May and early June. Rich glossy green leaves. Easy as grass to grow and very hardy. HAREBELLS, Campanula _ rotundifolia. No flower has more grace than this one as it clings, dancing in the breeze, on a dry cliff. The small, blue bells are borne on delicate stems 9 to 12 inches high. Blooms from June until frost, preferring fairly rich, dry soil and full sun or very slight shade. Don’t pass it up if you have a sea-side garden in Maine. WILD SENNA, Cassia marilandica. Clusters of clear yellow flowers with small black stamens on stalks often 5 feet high. Full sun in either dry or wet soil. July and August. BLUE COHOSH, Caulophyllum thalictroides. Native in rich woods. Small yellow flowers with purple sepals in early Spring followed by clusters of intensely blue berries in late Summer. 2 ft. TURTLEHEAD, Chelone glabra. White spikes of flowers similar to, but larger than Physostegia in September. Easily naturalized in rich, moist soil. 2 ft. (See Chelone lyoni in Perennial sec- tion.) SPOTTED PIPSISSIWA, Chimaphila maculata. An outstanding groundcover with its notched green leaves mottled cream. Dainty, bell-shaped flowers on 6-inch stems in June. Prefers a dry situation with acid soil, thus the shade of fir or oak trees. CREEPING SNOWBERRY, Chiogenes hispi- dula. dark green foliage. Lives up to its which is Swedish for “Lighthouse.” One of FANAL. above the name, the most notable new perennial introductions. 15 in. Price: $1.00 each, 3 for $2.75. BAPTISIA—WILD-INDIGO BLUE WILD-INDIGO, B. australis. rounded plant with clusters of pea-like, flowers in June and July. 3 ft. CREAM WILDINDIGO, B. bracteata. colored flowers in June on well shaped plants. well in partial shade; useful in borders naturalizing. 2 ft. BELAMCANDA—BLACKBERRY- LILY ‘ B. CHINENSIS. A half-forgotten favorite of old gardens, originally from China. Red-spotted, orange flowers and _ blackberry-like fruits. Leaves like Iris. Full sun and sandy soil delight it. Price: 50c each, 3 for $1.35. BOLTONIA WHITE BOLTONIA, B. Asteroides. A com- panion plant for Fall Asters, producing a magnificent display of white star-like flowers on a bushy plant to 7 ft. tall. VIOLET BOLTONIA, 8B. /atisquama. Mauve pink. Neither so tall nor so rampant a grower as the above. CAMPANULA—BELLFLOWER WHITE CARPATHIAN BELLFLOWER, C. carpatica alba. A compact little plant for edging or rockery. Dainty, bell-shaped blossoms on slender stems above the tufted leaves from June to Otober. 8 to 12 in. PEACHLEAF BELLFLOWER, C. persicifolia. Blue and white, bell-shaped flowers on tall, grace- ful stalks. A true perennial, much more graceful than Canterbury-bells. Establishes itself perma- nently in any good sunny or half shady location. July-August. 3 ft COVENTRY BELLS, C. rapunculoides. Dainty spikes of lilac-blue, drooping, small bell-shaped A shapely, dark blue Cream- Does and for flowers in July and August. Will thrive in a neglected place or among shrubs. HAREBELL, C. rotundifolia. “Bluebells — of Scotland.’ Myriad tiny, clear blue bells nod on wiry stems 9 to 12 in. high. See Wildflower Sec- tion for further description. CENTAUREA GLOBE CENTAUREA, C. macrocephala. Large lemon yellow flowers, like thistles, on strong plants 3 to 4 ft. » PERSIAN CENTAUREA, C. dealbata. Rosy- pink flowers in July and August. 18 to 24 in. Stock limited. Perennials are 35c each, 3 for 90c, 10 for $3.00. Quantities from 10 to 50 take the ten rate. On orders for more than 50 of a variety, we shall be glad to quote special rates, provided we have sufficient stock. THE AIKEN NURSERIES, PUTNEY, VERMONT Page 15 CEPHALARIA YELLOW CEPHALARIA, C. alpina. Yellow flowers much like Scabiosa. Good for cutting. Tall. CHELONE—TURTLEHEAD PINK TURTLEHEAD, C. lyoni. A_ perennial which, like Peonies is worthwhile for its mass of dark green foliage alone. Large, pink, oddly shaped flowers in August and September increase its charm. 2 ft. 50c each, 3 for $1.35. (See Wild- flower list for C. glabra.) CHEIRANTHUS—WALLFLOWER SIBERIAN WALLFLOWER, C. allioni. Bril- liant orange flower heads, excellent in combination with blue Linum perenne. Lasts long as a cut flower. It is a biennial which reseeds readily every year. Fragrant. 18 in. CHRYSANTHEMUM—DAISY COSTMARY, C. scented foliage. PAINTED LADY, C. coccineum. White, lilac. rose and red daisies on fernlike foliage. Very gay and good for cutting. June on. 2 to 3 ft. SHASTA DAISY, C. maximum. Handsome, large, daisy-like white flowers with golden centers, blooming all Summer. 2 ft. DOUBLE SHASTA DAISY. with double flowers. balsamita. Herb with sweet- Like the above, but HYBRID FALL CHRYSANTHE- MUMS The late Summer and Fall blooming Hardy “Mums listed below have all with- stood several Winters here very successfully with little or no protection. They blossom early enough to make a good display before severe frosts destroy them. ARGENTEUILLAS. Large red flowers. ASTRID. Large. soft rose-pink. salmon shaded flowers. Rich, 1% ft. BARBARA CUMMING. Large, bronze- yellow, 3 inches across. Favorite early variety in bloom early in September. 1 ft. DAPHNE. 2; ft. EARLY BRONZE. One of the earliest. hardiest and best pompons. Grand for massing. Nice bronze color. Early September. 11% ft. HEBE. Silvery pink to lavender, single. Septem- ber. Very popular with visitors here. 2 ft. OCTOBER GIRL. October. 114 ft. PIGMY GOLD. ber. glossy foliage. Extremely hardy. Beautiful old rose single. October 10. Lavender-pink, semi-double. Bright yellow pompon. Septem- PRICES (except as noted otherwise): THE CUSHION ’MUMS August to October KING CUSHION. Coppery Variable but very good. PINK CUSHION. RED CUSHION. COLCHICUM—AUTUMN CROCUS C. AUTUMNALE (Meadow Saffron). Big, pale lavender-pink blossoms appear most unexpectedly late in the Fall. Similar in shape to the unrelated Spring Crocus. The grassy foliage appears in Spring and dies down in mid-Summer. 4 to 6 in. CONVALLARIA—LILY-OF-THE- VALLEY C. MAJALIS. Universal favorite of old-time and modern gardens. Succeed in any shady spot and with no care at all bear the loveliest and most fragrant of flowers. Mulch them with manure and be surprised at the increase in size of the blossoms. ROSE LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY. A most charm- ing and unusual, light pink form of the preceding. 40c each, 3 for $1.05, 10 for $3.50. COREOPSIS LANCE COREOPSIS, C. lanceolata. Forms large, dense clumps be: iring masses of rich yellow flowers in June and, in lesser quantity all Summer if kept picked. 2 to 3 ft. CORONILLA CROWNVETCH, C. varia. Lovely clusters of soft pink, pea-shaped flowers borne all Summer on a vine- like plant. Very good for covering banks, stumps, rocks, or “‘tumble-down-walls.”” DELPHINIUM—LARKSPUR BLUE GROTTO. A _ Delphinium _ belladonna variety of strong growth with deep blue to royal bronze to dull red. A good, reliable pink. Handy, floriferous red. purple-blue florets brightened by creamy white centers. The finest of its type. 4 to 5 ft. BELLAMOSA. Intense dark blue flowers. 4 to 5 ft. PACIFIC GIANTS. various shades of blue, Tall. SLENDER WHITE LARKSPUR (D. §grandi- florum chinense). A dwarf variety with branching stems profusely covered with white florets and fern- like foliage. Continuously in bloom and of value as a cut flower. 2 ft. . TOM THUMB. hagen blue flowers. The popular new strain in double and single florets. Cute little form with Copen- 12 in. WREXHAM STRAIN. The Hollyhock Larkspur. A popular English strain wtih immense spikes of giant hollyhock-shaped flowers in mixed shades with dark blue predominating. June. 4 to 6 ft. 40c each, 3 for $1.05, 10 for $3.50. Perennials are 35c each, 3 for 90c, 10 for $3.00. Quantities from 10 to 50 take the ten rate. On orders for more than 50 of a variety, we shall be glad to quote special rates, provided we have sufficient stock. Page 16 THE AIKEN NURSERIES, PUTNEY, VERMONT DELPHINIUM (Delphinium hybrids) DIANTHUS—PINKS SWEET WILLIAMS, D. barbatus. Well-known biennials producing rich masses of color in June and July. CRIMSON BEAUTY—Limited stock. NEWPORT PINK. SINGLE WHITE. CRIMSON KING. stock. GRASS PINK, D. plumarius. The old-fashioned Pinks with silvery gray foliage and clove-scented blossoms. June. 18 in. DICENTRA—BLEEDING HEART FRINGED BLEEDING HEART, D. eximea. Fern-like foliage and rose-pink little hearts from May to October. DICTAMNUS—GASPLANT D. ALBUS RUBRA. Rich dark green foliage somewhat like Peonies with racemes of rose-pink flowers. A permanent plant which does not like to be disturbed. 3 ft. A hardy Carnation. Limited PRICES (except as noted otherwise): Quantities from 10 to 50 take the ten rate. DODECATHEON—SHOOTING STAR D. MEADIA. A western prairie flower having dainty, rose-pink or white flowers in May and June. 12 in. or taller. ~ECHINACEA—HEDGEHOG CONE- FLOWER Rose-purple, E. PURPUREA. daisy-like petals with dark chocolate, cone-shaped centers. July and August. 3 ft. EUPATRORIUM—HARDY AGERATUM MISTFLOWER, E£. coelestinum. One of the perennials to start growth in Spring. In One of the latest August it produces light purple flowers. fairest Fall flowers. 11 ft. EUPHORBIA—SPURGE FLOWERING SPURGE, E. corollata. Tiny ivory flowers in sprays. Excellent cut flower to follow Gypsophila. August. 1 to 2 ft. GAILLARDIA—BLANKET FLOWER G. ARISTATA. Large single crimson Daisies with yellow bands around the centers. Very colorful and grows in dry soils. From June to frost. 2 ft. SUN GOD. Golden yellow. 18 in. GEUM—AVENS Not for sale until Fall MRS. BRADSHAW. from June to September. LADY STRATHEDEN. Like the with golden yellow blossoms. GY PSOPHILA—BABYSBREATH BRISTOL FAIRY. Fiery red, double flowers above, but Large, airy panicles of double white flowers practically all Summer. Require a lime soil for best growth. Our plants are grown from cuttings to promote greater vigor. 50c each, 3 for $1.35, 10 for $4.50. HELIANTHEMUM—SUNROSE FICKLE SUNROSE, H. chamaecistus mutabile. Amid all the rows of colorful perennials in our nurseries, this little fellow stands out. The little flowers like miniature roses, white, pink, red and yellow, glow all summer on the low, spreading plants with good green foliage. Sun loving and drought resistant. HEMEROCALLIS—DAY LILY BETSCHER HYBRIDS. July esate LEMON DAY LILY, H. flava. cléar, full yellow. June. 2% ft. Yellow and orange. Sweet scented, Perennials are 35c each, 3 for 90c, 10 for $3.00. On orders for more than 50 of a variety, we shall be glad to quote special rates, provided we have sufficient stock. THE AIKEN NURSERIES, PUTNEY, VERMONT Page 17 TAWNY DAY LILY, dH. fulva. deeper shadings. July. 3 to 4 ft. AMUR DAY LILY, H. middendorffi. Rich, glowing orange flowers in July and early August. ft. Orange with LATE DAY LILY, dH. thunbergi. Clear, lemon yellow flowers tinged with pale green in July. Grows best in cool regions. 3 ft. HEUCHERA—CORAL-BELLS PINK-BELLS, H. brizoides. Panicles of little pink flowers. 214 ft. ROSAMUNDI. Coral-pink bells. June-July. 18 in. CORAL-BELLS, H. sanguinea. June-July. 18 in. HIBISCUS—ROSE-MALLOW GIANT MALLOW MARVELS, H. moscheutos. Huge single flowers shaped like Hollyhocks and similarly borne on stalks. Brilliant red, pink and white. July and August. 5 to 8 ft. tall. 50c each, 3 for $1.35, 10 for $4.50. HOSTA—PLANTAIN LILY BLUE PLANTAIN LILY, H. caerulea. The old-fashioned, large leafed blue flowered species. WHITE PLANTAIN LILY, H. plantaginea. A formal plant with large, bright green leaves and fragrant white flowers growing like trumpets from the stalks. 1% to 3 ft. 40c each, 3 for $1.05, 10 for $3.50. THOMAS HOGG. Rare variety. Leaves dark green edged with white. 3 for $1.05, 10 for $3.50. HYSSOPUS—HYSSOP H. OFFICINALIS. Herb. Aromatic leaves and tops used for brewing Hyssop tea. IBERIS—CANDYTUFT EVERGREEN CANDYTUFT, J. sempervirens. Coral red bells. Blue flowers. 40c each, Low, dense growth, glossy evergreen leaves and clusters of snow-white flowers in late May and June. 8 to 10 in. INCARVILLEA—HARDY GLOXINIA I. DELAVAYI. An exotic beauty. Vivid rose colored flowers in clusters in May and June. 50c each, 3 for $1.35. IRIS CRESTED IRIS, Iris cristata. One of the finest little rock or wild garden plants. Although grow- ing only 4 to 6 inches high, this little chap struts along the rocks or garden edge as gaily as though he were the biggest of his family. In early May the pees make a sky-blue carpet flecked with sunny gold. HEMEROCALLIS FULVA WHITE CRESTED IRIS, J/ris cristata Same as above, but pure white and gold. CRIMEAN IRIS, J. chamaeiris. bearded Iris, charming in Spring. I. chamaeiris alba—white. I. chamaeiris atroviolacea—red-purple. alba. Miniature GOLDBEARD IRIS, J. flavissima. Another dainty miniature bearded variety with flowers of soft canary yellow and grass-like foliage. Grows well in hot, dry locations in full sun. ORIENTAL IRIS, J. kaempferi. Tall, beardless Iris of great beauty. ‘‘The Orchid of the Garden.”’ Shipping season begins August 15th. FASCINATION. Lavender, rose combination. GARNET. Rich mahogany red. GOLD BOUND. ings. GRAY DAWN. Gray bordered red-violet. MAHOGANY. PYRAMID. Beautiful with six petals. CUBESEED IRIS, J. prismatica. and_ white Snow-white with yellow mark- Deep velvety mahogany. light blue, full flower Violet and yellow. To 3 ft. YELLOWFLAG IRIS, J. pseudacorus. Yellow. 3 ft. Good for wet locations. TALL, BEARDED IRIS, I. germanica. We have about 30 good varieties of which a list will be sent on request. Shipping season opens July 15th. Prices: 25c each, 3 for 70c, 10 for $2.25. PRICES (except as noted otherwise): Perennials are 35c each, 3 for 90c, 10 for $3.00. Quantities from 10 to 50 take the ten rate. On orders for more than 50 of a variety, we shall be glad to quote special rates, provided we have sufficient stock. Page 18 THE AIKEN NURSERIES, PUTNEY, VERMONT SIBERIAN IRIS, J. sibirica. Narrow, grassy foliage with tall stems and flowers of various shades of blue and white. Free flowering and good for cutting. MIXED SIBERIAN IRIS. 10 for $2.00. EMPEROR. Blue. July. 3 ft. PERRY’S BLUE. Clear blue. July. 4 ft. SNOW QUEEN. White. July. 3 ft. BLUEFLAG IRIS, J. versicolor. For sunny swamps or marshy spots. Rich light blue flowers. June. Zetonouit LATHYRUS—HARDY SWEET PEA PINK BEAUTY. Similar to the annual Pea, but not fragrant. Requires support. racemes of pleasing deep rose flowers. LAVANDULA—LAVENDER TRUE LAVENDER, L. officinalis. ‘‘Nose herb.” The true sweet Lavender, wonderfully fragrant, blue flowers in July and August. 14% ft. Must be heavily mulched over northern Winters. LIATHRIS—GA Y FEATHER L. SCARIOSA. Large, showy purple spikes in mid-August. Excellent for cut-flower arrangements. 2 ft. L. SPICATA. Vivid lilac-rose spikes in August and September. a sunny place. 3 to 4 ft. LILIUM—LILIES AMERICAN TURKSCAP LILY, L. superburm. One of the finest and hardiest native Lilies. Often attains a height of 6 feet and bears a great many Sweet Large flowers in dense Of easy culture in flowers of rich orange, having darker spots. Plant in Fall. CORAL LILY, UL. tenuifolium.