Notes on catalogs:  California Revealed will have catalogs up to 1970. Some are not in this list. If they say (Coming Soon) then they have been sent to be digitized. They will be linked into this list as time permits.

More are scanned in all the time in various archives. If you can't find the year you are looking for here or in California Revealed, check in these locations: California Revealed, Biodiversity Heritage Library, Open Library, archive.org, Mertz, Calisphere, Online Archive of California, or DPLA. A Short History of The Seed and Nursery catalog in Europe and the US from OSU. USDA Henry G. Gilbert Nursery and Seed Trade Catalog Collection. Check out this LOC booklet of all nurseries. 

Note that the wikipedia pages of the California Nursery Company and John Rock have been checked for accuracy and updated with new information. 

Over the years, there have been many odd "factoids" that have been repeated over and over and have become "facts." For example German-born John Rock (as he was known in California) was born as Johannes Rock and changed his name to John Rock. Many sources say that he was born as Johann Fels. Or that his parents' name was Roch. Sabine, a German relative of John, was very kind to look up the church records for us and straighten out those long standing errors. We are forever grateful for her help. Nothing like the source!

An Index of sorts of the catalogs and movies listed below

• California Nursery Company - established in 1884. Last catalog was 1970.

• California Nursery Company - Niles, California -  Orchard books list the plantings and budding of trees and some ornamentals

• Rock's Nurseries - Santa Clara Valley, California 1865 to ~1888 -  Catalogs from 1873-1888. John Rock came to California in 1863 after serving in the Civil War. His first nurseries were established in 1865, the year that the Civil War ended.

• Fancher Creek Nursery, Fancher Creek Nurseries - Fresno, California - Catalogs/Books 1887 to 1933; George C. Roeding was a contemporary of John Rock. He bought the California Nursery around 1917. Fancher Creek continued catalogs after the purchase of the California Nursery. Eventually Fancher Creek was absorbed into the California Nursery.

• Roeding & Wood - Los Angeles

• Fresno Nursery - Fresno

• Other Nurseries, from the era

• Nursery Histories

• Articles about the California Nursery Company

The California Nursery Company was established in 1884

1.  1886-1887 (the catalog is referenced in the 27 November 1886 Pacific Rural Press)

2. 1887-1888 (Google books, not online) at Bancroft library. Article about the nursery in 1888 in the Pacific Rural Press.

3. 1888-1889 (Internet Archive) (BHL)

4. 1890 (UC Davis, not online) (have copy of this from Bancroft 2910) (no. 2 BHL online) pear

5. 1891-1892 (Internet Archive)

6. 1892? (Biodiversity Heritage Library) etchings

7. 1893? (BHL says 1893?) unknown year (Biodiversity Heritage Library) Texas umbrella tree

8. 1893-1894 (Price List Mertz No. 3) (9th edition BHL)

9. 1894-1895 (Internet Archive) (striped Madame A. Veysset and Rainbow) 

10. 1895? (Biodiversity Heritage Library) (fruits pics) 

11. 1897-1898 (Biodiversity Heritage Library) (Narcissus) (Improved Rainbow) (palm & roses) only "assorted" Oleanders

12. 1898? (Biodiversity Heritage Library)

13. 1899 - Thomas Mehrin - SF (Internet Archive) agent for the California Nursery "Dutch Bulbs" included

14. 1900 (BHL is actually 1893-1894)

15. 1900-1901 (Bancroft)

16. 1901-1902 (Biodiversity Heritage Library) fumigation house

17. 1902 (Internet Archive)(BHL)  "Photos from our Specimen Orchard"

18. 1902 (BHL) Price list of phylloxera-resisting American grapes 

19. 1901-1902 (Internet Archive) Phylloxera-resisting American grapes

20. 1902-1903 (Internet Archive) Special list trees, palms, evergreens.

21. 1903 The Smyra Fig Catalogue (MOLH)

22. 1903? (Biodiversity Heritage Library) etchings

23. 1903 (BHL) Catalogue of phylloxera-resisting American grapes

24. 1902-1903 (Biodiversity Heritage Library)

25. 1903-1904 (Biodiversity Heritage Library) 

26. 1904 (Biodiversity Heritage Library)(Internet Archive) Bulbs for fall planting and spring flowering 

27. 1904-1905 (Internet Archive) announces death of John Rock.

28. 1905-1906 (Biodiversity Heritage Library) 'Burbank' and 'Santa Rosa' roses, and 'Burbank' canna.

29. 1906 (google books, not online) Catalogue of Phylloxera-resisting American Grapes

30. 1906 (Museum of Local History) "Photos from our Specimen Orchard"

31. 1906-1907 (American Libraries) 

32. 1907-1908 (Biodiversity Heritage Library)

33. 1908-1909 - (Internet Archive) 

34. 1908-1909 (Internet Archive) entrance back cover

35. 1909-1910 (Internet Archive) 

36. 1910-1911 (Mertz)

37. 1911-1912 (Mertz) 

38. 1912-1913 (Mertz)

39. 1913-1914 (Mertz) 

40. 1914-1915 (Mertz) 

41. 1915           (Mertz) p.71 has the office building. Is this the first photo? A news article (to be cited here) said that the nursery office was built when the old office burned. When was that? It takes a while for ivy to cover a building like that, so perhaps earlier than 1913?

42. 1915-1916 (Mertz) Myrobolan plum orchard,

43. 1916-1917 (Mertz) Front entrance, Marguerite daisies

44. 1917-1918 (Mertz) few pictures

45. Spring 1918 (BHL) Bear head logo, palms on car, Alameda Creek dam, W.V. Eberly photo with palm.

46. 1919          (Mertz) "Established 1865", Car at nursery entrance, fruits displayed, orchards, kids in orchard, gasoline engine, Palms going to fair, bear logo, Romneya, Dahlias, anemones, Chinese Windmill palm picture, bamboos, Spirea, Lombardy poplar, sycamore, birch, pampas grass, lath house, yews, buxus, Italian cypress, bunya-bunya, Abies Nordmanniana with small employee Christmas, workers, landscape department, persimmon, olive, chestnut, Mammoth blackberry, almonds, pecan, nectarine, digger, Muir peach, test orchards.

47. 1920 (Internet Archive) pano of nursery, oleanders (Dr. Golfin, Henry Mares, Pierre Roudier, single white, Splendens Giganteum, Mad. Chas. Baltet, Madonna grandiflorum, Notaire Cavalliere), 'Lillian Moore' rose and 'Gorgeous', views of orchards, Rhubarb ladies!

48. Washington Township Museum of Local History has one of the nursery scrapbooks, early 1920s, news articles on landscaping different home styles, Smyrna figs, olives, Ah Yen in newspaper.

49. 1921-1922 (Mertz)

50. 1923-1924 (BHL) Fruit trees and grape vines

51. 1924 (BHL)(Internet Archive) Budwood, Scions and Cuttings (embracing Over 1000 Varieties): From Record Performance Fruit Trees : Covering a Period of Ten to Fifty Years in the Test Orchards Founded by John Rock on the Grounds of the California Nursery Company : and Also in Record Bearing Orchards and Vineyards Under the Personal Observation of George C. Roeding in Various Portions of California for More Than a Third of a Century

52. 1924, 1926, 1927, 1929, 1930 (Online Archives of California, not scanned, located at UCLA)

53. 1924-1933 (UC Davis)

54. 1924 (BHL) 

55. Trade Price List 1924 (BHL) Boxed trees.

56. 1925 (BHL) State Capitol cover

57. 1925 Arboles frutales y de adorno (BHL)

58. 1926 (BHL) Burton Prune, oleanders listed by color and not name.

59. 1926 Better Gardens (Internet Archive) Beauty around the home, several homes, landscape plans for homes, university fruit exhibit, roses, Ah Yen, annual state fair exhibit, Burton plum, bear logo.

60. 1926-1927 Advance Price List (BHL) California Nursery, Modesto

61. 1927 Garden Book (internet archive) nursery scenes including hillside photos, office gardens, brick walkway, color insert of roses "Niles Three" and "Golden Emblem", orchard, 'Burton' plum, 

62. 1928 Garden Book (BHL) hillside "aerial" from around 1918, Souvenir de Claudius Pernet, railcar

63. 1928 Rose Book (BHL) color cover of three new roses, the "Niles Three", a Berkeley rose garden on Robles Road, 

64. 1929 Rose Catalog (Internet archive) 

65. 1929 Garden Book (CAR) Old Salesyard, Fruit trees, Roses, ornamentals, Flapper rose, many plant pictures, a well planned garden, overgrown office.

66. Trade price list : California budded roses : June 1929 (BHL)  American Association of Nurserymen visit. View from office looking toward future Display garden. Look at all those conifers! Bear logo.

67. Wholesale list exclusively for Nurserymen and dealers (BHL)

68. 1930 Garden Book 1930 (BHL) (my scan internet archive) State Capitol, old entrance with salesyard, bear logo, old retail salesyard, Beauty around the home, the Outdoor Living Room.

69. 1930 Roses (BHL) (My scan internet archive) Baby Bruce, Niles Quartet, Niles Three, and Fruit, Six Golden Roses (In recent years more progress has been made in the production of beautiful new golden roses than in any other color. It is particularly fitting that in the golden state of California golden roses should be especially popular. The harmonicing shades in this collection make it possible to combine the cut blooms of the several varieties for bouquets.), the Mission Collection, Lady Hillingdon photo.

70. The earliest films used a new color technology. What is Kodacolor? See what the lenticular films look like before conversion to color and after.

71. 1930 MOVIE "Tulips in Show Gardens; Oakland Flower Show; Conifers in nursery rows in Niles"

72. 1931 Roses (internet archive) Office, billboard, Mission Collection, Niles Three, Yellow Banksias at Nursery, Richared, Six Golden Roses (Because of the great popularity which golden roses have enjoyed in California in recent years we offer each year a collection of the best roses in this color. This year’s selection contains our most beautiful varieties. The range of shades from the deep orange of Angele Pernet to the clear lemon yellow of Mrs. E. P. Thom, offers interesting color combinations.), Richared Delicious poster.

73. 1931 Garden Book (BHL) Old Adobe ink drawing, Specimen conifers in our display grounds, Outdoor living room, the Spanish type house, owners soon intend...Mission Peak drawing.

74. 1932 Garden Book (BHL) Giant Sequoia cover, nursery lawn, Piedmont plantings, Specimen conifers in our Display grounds. Fadgl truck. "Pictured here is romantic “Old Adobe,” historic reminder of the days of the Dons. Once the scene of lavish Spanish hospitality, “Old Adobe” has been restored to its rightful estate as our guest lodge. We invite you to make it your headquarters when you plan a day’s outing in southern Alameda County. The building was built by Don Jose de Jesus Vallejo, first administrator of Mission San Jose. The land on which it stands, now included in our growing grounds, was part of the original Rancho Arroyo de Alameda, granted by Spain to Don Jose. Enchanting as this old structure is, it is but one of the attractions offered..."

75. MOVIE "Rancho de las Rosas in San Jose, San Jose Municipal Rose Garden, and Oakland Municipal rose garden"

76. 1932 MOVIE "Specimen Trees and shrubs in the Office Gardens and Old Adobe Gardens; Children playing at Old Adobe"

77. 1932 Rose and Bulb Book 1932 partial scan (my internet archive) Mrs. Fremont Older. Full scan (BHL) Be our guest for the day, "Recently landscaped and furnished", "Old Adobe", "Guest Lodge", Tulips, daffodils, lilies, irises, young girl smelling roses

78. 1932 MOVIE "Tulip Show, before 1934"

79. 1932 MOVIE "Rose show and visitors enjoying the grounds; rose varieties listed"

80. 1932 MOVIE "Roeding family at Roeding Park in Fresno; Peach Orchard; Budding Roses in Niles"

81. 1932 MOVIE "California Nursery Tulip Show at Niles, April 1932" Shows the little garden with the model houses where Dave's Auto Repair is located. At 3:55, Frances Roeding and Bruce leave the Old Adobe. Mr. and Mrs. Thane are at 5:20. 

82. ~1932 MOVIE "California Nursery Company - office gardens around 1932" 

83. 1933 Garden Catalog (need this)

84. 1933 Bulb Catalog, Autumn 1933 (internet archive) (BHL) "Old Adobe" picture, Tulip & Daffodil shows in new area. California Flower Festival in San Leandro.

85. 1934 Garden Book (BHL) (internet archive), picture of new retail center "new this year". "new Show Gardens". Main office still has sign. Blimp. Niles dozen, "Old Adobe" Collection, Come see "Old Adobe". Mrs. Fremont Older. Landscape Department in the Garden Center, established three years ago. Blimp at Sunnyvale. Naval Air Station. 

86. 1934 MOVIE "A Bulb Show in the new Display Gardens ~1934 with varieties of bulbs and flowering plants"

87. ~1934 MOVIE: "Rose Test Gardens of California Nursery Company at Niles ~1934"

88. 1934 MOVIE: "Roeding children playing; The family at the Niles residence; Castlewood Country club, swimming"

89. Bulb Catalog 1935 (BHL) the rock garden, spring bulb show photo, gardens before wm.

90. 1935 Garden Book (CAR) (BHL), Roumania trophy held by woman, California Flower Festival, Invitation to Spring Daffodil and Tulip Festival (4th?) Fresno, Sacramento, Modesto, Niles salesyards. Morcom Garden; Books for Western Gardeners (Gardening in California, From a Sunset Garden, The Rock Garden); woman holding basket of grapes, men looking at fruit trees, Four years ago established landscape service; for large gardens and small; Fruit the "Gold of California"

91. 1935 MOVIE "Visit to Hearst Castle and Home in Niles for a children's party"

92. 1936 Garden Book ( -CAR, BHL) John Rock history, Salesyard, "A Day at the Nursery", Old Adobe & Singers, Garden Shows, Landscape department, Standard brands, moving trees, Palms going to PPIE May 25, 1914; Hayward City Hall, W.D. Brown in Atherton, 5th annual bulb show, photo daffodil test garden, retail center, flowering trees, single roses, Morcom garden, lady sitting on grape boxes, budding roses, Display garden, roses photos in color; "Niles Dozen" and "Adobe Dozen"; trees planted in quincunx.

93. 1937 Orchard and Garden Book (BHL) Yellow cover with girl. Sacramento, Niles, Modesto, Fresno salesyards. The home orchard with Roeding kids, Captain Edwin Musick delivering trees as Santa, Export Dept. Mexico, Weeping sequoia, Morcom garden, Adobe dozen, Sixth Annual Bulb Show (so 1931 was first? before new show gardens?), Landscape department, picture of retail center from show garden, loquat blooms, moving trees, packing, Capt. Musick, workers

94. 1937 Bulbs (CAR) (BHL) Views of the nursery, Scenes from the seventh (1937) Annual Bulb Show, daffodils, iris, tulips, all kinds of bulbs, the old windmill (first?). Special invitation to garden clubs.

95. 1937 MOVIE "Mexico Trip" 

96. 1937 MOVIE Roeding Family in Mexico various locations including Floating Gardens of Xochimilco

97. 1938 (- CAR) (BHL) The 1938 catalog was published the year before the 1939-1940 Golden Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island in San Francisco. A cartoon cover of the nursery in Niles and other locations (no logo), Salesyards (Fresno, Modesto, Niles, Sacramento), aerial photos of nursery operations, cut on p. 21, export department, landscape organization, specimen trees, "Golden Gate Collection" of roses, "Old Adobe" collection of roses, fruit trees, "Nectar" peach originators Blackburn and de Ruscha, ornamentals, "Visit our Gardens", Seventh Annual Outdoor Bulb Show, "This year as we look ahead to our 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition it is interesting to speculate - would there, in truth, be any Exposition or any great metropolitan Bay community to sponsor it, but for the contribution of California’s agriculture? When we anticipate the benefits our Exposition holds for all of us, we should also remember - the man who works with his hands in his fields and his orchards in the cornerstone of our economy."  Bay Bridge approach landscaping. No 'Golden State' yet.

98. 1939 Bulb Book Fall (internet archive) (no CAR) (CAR coming soon) Bobby at the GGIE holding 'Golden State.' Species tulips and crocus.

99. The Gardens of the Exposition (internet archive), old picture of the office with sign. This is from the catalog that was printed during the 1939-1940 Golden Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island in San Francisco, California. The California Nursery Company had an exhibit at Treasure Island that was a replica of the 'Old Adobe' at the nursery in Niles. The CNCo, with Robert Pyle, introduced the 'Golden State' rose at exposition, the 'Official Rose, Golden Gate International Exposition'. The issue is dedicated to John McLaren, long time supervisor of Golden Gate Park. Four generations of the Roeding family knew McLaren. A glossy insert of the gardens of the Exposition is included. Maurice Logan's painting of the 'Old Adobe' is on the front cover, flipped. Specimen trees, Moving Trees, Landscape organization, Rose Collections: "Treasure Island" and "Adobe Dozen"; "Old Adobe" exhibit at Treasure Island. Fruit Trees, ornamentals, "Visit Our Garden at Bulb Time", Windmill, Salesyards.

100. 1939 California Horticulture (CAR) This is the catalog that was printed for the 1939-1940 Golden Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island in San Francisco, California. The California Nursery Company had an exhibit at Treasure Island that was a replica of the 'Old Adobe' at the nursery in Niles. The CNC introduced the 'Golden State' rose at exposition, the 'Official Rose, Golden Gate International Exposition'. The issue is dedicated to John McLaren, long time supervisor of Golden Gate Park. An insert of the gardens of the Exposition is included. Four generations of the Roeding family knew McLaren. Maurice Logan's painting of the 'Old Adobe' is on the front cover, flipped. The CNCo, with Robert Pyle, introduced the 'Golden State' rose at exposition, the 'Official Rose, Golden Gate International Exposition'. Specimen trees, Moving Trees, Landscape organization, Rose Collections: "Treasure Island" and "Adobe Dozen"; "Old Adobe" exhibit at Treasure Island. Fruit Trees, ornamentals, "Visit Our Garden at Bulb Time", Windmill, Salesyards. Oleanders (Madame Sarah Bernhardt, Mrs. F. Roeding, Sister Agnes, Splendens Giganteum, Dr. Golfin, Prof. Durand.) Three models for the 'Golden State' if we include 'Old Adobe ' and Bobby in the bulb catalog. Bruce eating an apple? Windmill girls. Spanish singer and player.

101. 1939 MOVIE "Flower Arrangements by Frances Roeding, Daffodil test garden, Golden State Rose"

102. 1939 MOVIE "Sierra Snow Trip; Old Adobe exhibit at the Golden Gate International Exposition"

103. 1939 MOVIE "Golden Gate International Exposition 1939-1940; Nursery's exhibit "Old Adobe"; Baby Diane Roeding"

104. 1939 MOVIE "Our Trip to Colorful Hawaii"

105. 1940 Twice the satisfaction when you come to Niles and make your selections from the West's largest assortment (BHL) cartoon people and Golden State model. (left off here)

106. 1940 Arboles Fruitales - Rosales - Vides (2023 CAR)

107. ~1940 MOVIE "Daffodils, Narcissus, Hyacinths, Tulips - color movie from the Display Gardens ~1940s"

108. A Pageant of Roses (BHL) 76th year

109. 1941 Arboles Fruitales - Rosales - Vides (CARx) CNCo. had agents in Mexico.

110. 1941 Fruit Book (BHL)

111. Roeding's quality fruit trees for 1941? (BHL) 76th year

112. 1941 MOVIE The Spring Bulb Show and a Parade in Pleasanton

113. Roeding's quality ornamental trees, shrubs & plants (BHL)

114. 1942 Catalogo Ilustrado Arboles Frutales - Vides - Rosales  (CARx) (BHL) 'Golden State' rose on back. Drawing of Old Adobe. 77th year

115. 1942 Quality Bulbs (coming soon) (BHL)

116. 1942? Roeding's quality fruit trees and grape vines (BHL) 77th year

117. 1942 Roeding's quality roses (BHL)

118. 1942 MOVIE Bulb Show at the California Nursery in ~1942

119. 1942 MOVIE "Irises and the Tulip Show at the California Nursery Company"

120. 1943 Orchard and Garden Book (CAR) (Coming soon?) (BHL bad scan)

121. 1943 Catalogo Ilustrado (2024?)

122. Fall Planting Guide 1943 (BHL)

123. 1944 Orchard and Garden Book (- CARx) (BHL) Albert Etter on front cover, historic cork oak, Lilacs (Alice Eastwood, Kate Sessions, Blue Hyacinth), Allied Arts, Walnut Creek, Sacramento, Fresno, Modesto. Victory garden, Old Adobe logo.

124. 1944 Fall Planting Guide (coming soon) (BHL)

125. 1944 Catalogo Ilustrado 1944 (CARx) Vin, Vino, Vida, Victoria, 'Golden State', lilacs

126. 1944 Movie July 4th show at Jerry Roeding's school; Rose Growing fields in Niles with Frances Roeding

127. 1945 Orchard and Garden Book (- CAR) Flowering trees on cover with adobe, Etter, Etter's recipes by local gourmet chef and nursery barbecue master, Robert Stoney Mayock. Old Adobe logo. Ink drawings for plantings around the home, that the cork oak is being planted to replace the lost source of oak from the Mediterranean. Many color photos. Wartime necessity of turning land to food. Oxcart; Old Adobe Collection

128. 1945 Catalogo Ilustrado (- CARx) Cover is the "Old Adobe" with flowering trees, p. 18 has picture of column 3, Lilacs. Four bits, ox-cart, figures.

129. 1945 Fall Planting Guide (BHL)

130. 1946 Orchard and Garden Book (- CARx) (BHL) Photo of the 'Peace' rose girl (Betty Vandenburg) in front of the 'Old Adobe'. 1946 was the year that the 'Peace' rose was introduced. The Roeding family made sure that a 'Peace' rose was presented to the head of each delegation at the first United Nations meeting in San Francisco. Old ox cart with woman dressed in Spanish outfit. Lilacs, quince. Old Adobe. Three flowering crabapples; camellias in color

131. 1946 Roeding's Fall Planting Guide (CARx) (BHL) stuck page, p, 12. Front cover is color photo two girls in Display Garden with daffodils. (re-coming soon?)

132. 1946 Catalogo Ilustrado (- CARx) View of Display Gardens, p. 14., Four bits, Introduction of the 'Peace' rose. 'Bright Wings' introduced by woman in Spanish outfit. cork oak. Etter's apples.

133. 1947 Orchard and Garden Book (- CARx) (BHL) Poster-style cover front and back with Dutch and Spanish hosts and hostesses and pictures of sales locations and growing grounds. Handwritten note about N. M. Keep (Nigel?), a list of plants for a small garden? Park Weeping Cherry where the Windmill is now located. 13th annual bulb show. Etter's apples. Lilacs; Viburnums, turquoise logo, cork oak

134. 1947 Fall Planting Guide (coming soon) (BHL)

135. 1947 Catalogo Ilustrado (CAR) Grapes and ink illustration on front cover; Flowering peach back cover; Peace rose Betty; Spanish girl and stone; daffodils in display gardens; Display gardens from road; package sent to Brazil; line drawings for planting; cork oak.

136. 1948 Orchard and Garden Book (- CARx) (BHL) Front cover, "Dutch" girls, Office, Display Garden with Park weeping cherry; Betty and 'Peace' roses; Outdoor living room; color camellias, lilacs, roses; color adobe; ink illustrations; floral arrangements; Abutilon; Etter and apples; Oleanders (Commander Barthelemy, Dr. Golfin, Double Pink, Double White (double form of Sister Agnes, Mrs. F. Roeding, Mrs. Swanson, Prof. Bodkin, Single Pink, Sister Agnes, Splendens Gigantea)

137. 1948 Catalogo Ilustrado (- CARx) Poster-style cover; 'Peace' rose; 'Pinkie' picture; Quince; lilacs; George Jr. and horse; plants for shipment; windmill; Cork oak; Loomis fields; 'Rio Oso Gem' peach; small illustrations; Back cover with Loomis, Sacramento, Modesto, Chowchilla, Fresno.

138. 1949 Orchard and Garden Book (CARx) English cover on Spanish language; 

139. 1949 Orchard and Garden Book (Coming in 2024) English cover on English; (BHL bad copy)

140. Orchard and Garden Book 1950 (-30 CAR) Rose and pen illustration on cover; Betty and 'Peace'; color adobe; Outdoor living room; roses, lilacs, camellias; flowering fruit trees; Oleander (Commander Barthelemy, Dr. Golfin, Double Pink, Double White (double form of Sister Agnes, Mrs. F. Roeding, Mrs. Swanson, Prof. Bodkin, Single Pink, Sister Agnes, Splendens Gigantea)

141. Catalogo Ilustrado 1950 (-23 CAR) three scenes of nursery on front. 

142. Catalogo Ilustrado 1951 (-24 CAR) grapes and pen illustration on cover; roses; Etter; (0O)

143. 1951 price list : supplement to the orchard & garden book (BHL)

144. California Nursery Co. 1952 (-17 CAR) Spanish language; Helen Traubel on cover; no oleander

145. California Nursery Co. 1953 (CAR) (0O) English

146. California Nursery Co. 1953 (CAR coming in 2024) Spanish

147. California Nursery Company 1954 (-19 CAR) 'Lillibet' on cover; English Etter

148. California Nursery Company 1954 (CAR coming in 2024) 'Lillibet' on cover; Spanish

149. 1955 Orchard and Garden Book (-13 CAR) 3 panel of gardens; (0O)

150. Catalogo Ilustrado 1955 (-25 CAR) yellow gingham cover with grapes;

151. 1956 Orchard and Garden Book (-31 CAR) pen illustration with peaches; Etter

152. 1956 Catalogo Ilustrado (CAR coming in 2024)

153. 1957 Orchard and Garden Book (coming soon)

154. 1957 Catalogo Ilustrado (CAR 2023)

155. 1957 MOVIE "Las Vegas, Nevada; Boulder Dam; TWA flight"

156. 1957 MOVIE Loomis Operations; Denio mine; flowering trees; Diane Roeding to college; Rose field in Niles

157. 1958 Orchard and Garden Book (CAR 2023) 

158. 1958 Catalogo Ilustrado (coming soon)

159. 1959 Orchard and Garden Book (CAR 2023) English

160. 1959 Catalogo Ilustrado (CAR 2024) Spanish

161. ~1956 MOVIE Republican Roundup; Moving trees; Shipments

162. 1960 Orchard and Garden Book (-14 CAR) Capitol cover; retail locations (Niles, Fresno, Modesto, 27th annual spring festival, garden design and construction); This is the catalog that "Dutchie" is holding. (0O)

163. Catalogo Ilustrado 1960 (-26 CAR) Capitol cover; roses and fruits, GCR Jr and horse; three sons

164. 1960 MOVIE Party at Roeding Residence; Niles Parade on D Street; Diane Roeding's graduation from UC Berkeley

165. 1960 MOVIE Acapulco; at home in Niles with new baby; Lake Tahoe

166. 1960 MOVIE "Mexico Trip - orchard, market, floating gardens, cities"

167. Catalogo Ilustrado 1961 (-27 CAR) roses and fruits, display garden with windmill, growing fields, Etter apples.

168. Orchard and Garden Book 1961 (-32 CAR) grapes cover, yellow gingham; Visit 27th annual spring festival; display garden with windmill; GCR Jr. and sons

169. Catlogo Ilustrado 1962 (coming soon)

170. 1962 Orchard and Garden Book (coming soon)

171. 1962 MOVIE Roeding family vacation in the mountains in California, Colorado, and Utah

172. 1962 MOVIE  Roeding Family at home; Loomis grounds; Niles parade Essanay Days 1962

173. 1962 MOVIE "Seattle World's Fair, Century 21 Exposition 1962"

174. 1962 MOVIE Trip to Denver, Salt Lake City, and Seattle

175. 1962 MOVIE "Colorado Rockies; Lambert Gardens in Portland, Rose Court"

176. 1963 Orchard and Garden Book (coming soon)

177. Catlogo Ilustrado 1963 (coming soon)

178. 1963 MOVIE Moving Trees in new neighborhood; Engagement Party; Tahoe

179. 1964 Orchard and Garden Book (coming soon)

180. 1965 Orchard and Garden Book (coming soon)

181. Catlogo Ilustrado 1965 (coming soon)

182. 1966 Orchard and Garden Book (coming soon)

183. 1967 Orchard and Garden Book (coming soon)

184. 1967 MOVIE Roeding residence in Niles; Diane and Carrie; Diana, and Michelle; Niles Quarry

185. 1967 MOVIE Niles Parade; California Nursery Company Growing Grounds in Loomis; Family

186. 1970 Orchard and Garden Book (coming soon)

187. Can't find what you are looking for? 1937 to 1970 from the California Revealed project; If my notes say "Coming Soon" you may find the catalogs in the previous link.

These books record what was planted in John Rock's test orchards and where the plants were obtained. Often their origin is just initials, like Ellwanger & Barry is "E & B." The initials "J.R." most probably refer to Rock's Nurseries which still remained for some time. 

Only some of the orchard books are online currently. 

The California Nursery was established in late 1884, so the first plantings would have been 1885 or later. The nursery was 463 acres and there was nothing there, so a lot of work was probably to get the roads, buildings, etc. finished first. The nursery was set out in a grid and there are maps available from the Roeding Archives that show the grid numbers.

• 1886/1887 orchard book (California Revealed) from the Museum of Local History

• The Museum of Local History has later books (not scanned in).

• The California Nursery archives have the budding books for some early years.

• The California Nursery archives have orchard books from 1918 to 1970, including the records for the 60 varieties of apples, figs, chestnuts created by Albert Etter. (not scanned in)

Fancher Creek was established in 1883 (L.H. Bailey, Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture...) by Frederick Roeding.

George C. Roeding soon took over the nursery operations. In 1917 Roeding bought the California Nursery Company. In 1926. his son, George C. Roeding, Jr. took over all the operations.The senior Roeding died in 1928. See the George Christian Roeding biography written in 1930.

• 1887 Catalogue of fruit and shade trees, vines, ornamental plants and roses, has two full pages of oleander varieties. "We are making these most beautiful flowers a specialty and offer this year an unequaled collection — the largest and best to be found anywhere. Oleanders are not grown to the extent they deserve, and much of this neglect must be ascribed to the difficulty of making the common double rose variety flower in certain localities, where it is exposed to cold or fog. Among our varieties directly imported from the principal nurseries of Europe, many are extremely floriferous, and are sure to do well in many places where the old variety has disappointed. The single and semidouble oleanders are very floriferous and equally as fine as the double ones. In fact some of the very finest are among the single varieties. We are pushing the raising of new varieties with vigor and have already originated some which we shortly will be able to offer our customers. California is especially adapted to the fine development of these flowers and with the new fine varieties now offered we believe they soon will be considered as the brightest ornament of every garden."

  •  descriptive circular (Internet Archive)

• 1887 Descriptive Circular (Internet Archive) Gustav Eisen manager

• 1890-1891 Price List (Internet Archive)

• 1894-1895 (Internet Archive)

• 1896 (Internet Archive)

• 1895-1896 (Internet Archive)

• 1897-1898 (Internet Archive) assorted oleanders

• 1897 (BHL) Pretty cover and two pages of oleanders, with details, including Mrs. F. Roeding!

• 1900-1901 (Internet Archive)

• 1901-1902 (Internet Archive)

• 1902 catalog (Internet Archive) Mrs. F. Roeding Oleander "This magnificent double Oleander, originated by us, is a chance seedling out of several thousand, raised from the imported varieties. If properly pruned to one stem, the branches form a fine, compact, dense head, covered in summer with trusses of beautiful double pink flowers, (the color of the La France rose) delightfully fragrant, and with fringed petals, which completely envelope the plant. The plant is perfectly hardy, more so than any other variety and it is in every respect a very superior Oleander; worthy of a place in every garden." "California Smyrna" fig sold. No Calimyrna.,

• 1902-1903 (Internet Archive) "Calimyrna" shows up in this list.

• 1903 The Smyrna Fig at Home and Abroad and photo of ladies packing Calimyra figs (n.d. and incorrect caption, NOT California Nursery). Photo is in the Smyrna Fig at Home and Abroad. Notes that "A premium of $25 was offered for the most appropriate and euphonious name for this fig. Among the hundreds of names submitted, the word "Calimyrna," a contraction of the two words California and Smyrna"

• 1903-1904 (Internet Archive) Mrs. F. Roeding is listed.

• 1904-1905 (Internet Archive)

• 1905 (Internet Archive)

• 1905 (Internet Archive) Catogo descriptive de arboles frutales y del bosque parras y arbustos palmeras y rosas escojidas. The Mrs. F. Roeding oleander was offered for sale in this edition.

• 1905 (Internet Archive) List of Roses

• 1905-1906 (Internet Archive) 

• 1906 (Internet Archive) Pomegranate front cover; Mrs. F. Roeding Oleander on back

• 1906-1907 (Internet Archive)

• 1907-1908 (Roses) (Price List)

• New Products of the Trees, Luther Burbank's Late Introductions, 1908-1909 (Internet Archive)

• 1909-1910 (Internet Archive)

• 1911 Pricelist Roses (Internet Archive) Roeding's Practical Horticulture

Note: Roeding family visited Europe in 1912

• 1911-1912,  Fruit and ornamental trees: evergreens, palms, roses : Burbank's latest introductions in fruit trees, walnuts and berries (Internet Archive) no "Pernet" 

• Rose Surplus List, 1913 (Internet Archive)

• 1914 (Internet Archive) Surplus List

• 1914 (Internet Archive) Roeding's Practical Horticulture

• 1914-1915 Field Grown Roses (Internet Archive) 

• 1914-1915 Advance Wholesale Price List of Budded Roses (Internet Archive)

• 1914-1915 (Fruit Tree Department) (Internet Archive)

• 1914-1915 Surplus Trade Price List (Internet Archive)

• 1914-1915 (Internet Archive) Advanced Price Catalog

• 1916 How to Grow Roses (Internet Archive)

• 1916 Surplus List (Internet Archive)

• 1915-1916 (Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Evergreens, Palms, Roses ) (Internet Archive)

• 1916-1917 (Roses) with photo of the California Nursery. George Roeding bought the nursery in 1917, so maybe he was already in process of the purchase??? See below for the photo.

• 1917 (Internet Archives) 

• 1917 (Internet Archive)

• 1919 (Internet Archives)  Planting, Quincunx, etc.

• 1919 Roeding's Fruit Growers Guide

• 1919 Dahlias (coming soon!)

• 1920 (Internet Archives)

• 1921 (Internet Archive) 

• Others not listed here (Internet Archive)

• 1922 (Internet Archive)

• 1925 (Internet Archive)

• 1925-1926 (Internet Archive)

• 1928 (Internet Archive)

• 1930 (Internet Archive)

• 1931 (Internet Archive)

• 1932 (Internet Archive) Fancher Creek & Fresno Nurseries. Oleanders (Madame Sarah Bernhardt, Mrs. F. Roeding, Sister Agnes, Splendens Giganteum, Dr. Golfin, Prof. Durand.)

• 1933 (Internet Archive)

After some date in the 1930s the Fancher Creek Nurseries catalog was discontinued and the California Nursery Company sold nursery stock grown on the former FC growing grounds?

• 1915

• more

• 1898 establish this year?

• 1903-1904

• 1904

• 1904-1905

• 1906-1907

• 1907-1908

• 1910-1911

• 1912

• 1913

• 1915

• 1917 and?

• 1918 and?

• 1919 and?

• 1920 and?

• 1921 Fresno Seed Company

• 1922 Fresno Seed Company

• 1922-1923

• 1930

BHL does not have catalogs after 1930, perhaps because of copyright issues.

1. Felix Gillet

2. B.S. Fox, San Jose, available by request

3. Shinn's Nurseries 

4. Carl Purdy

5. Luther Burbank's Santa Rosa Nurseries 1880 (BHL) only a partial scan, but with the index, with two oleanders.

   • USDA - Henry G. Gilbert Nursery and Seed Trade Catalog Collection - Burbank catalogs from 1886 to 1927. See the 1898 catalog for plums: 'Apple,' 'Chalco,' 'Botan,' 'Pearl,' and 'America' which were grown as seen in the big orchard book at MOLH. 

6. Warren & Son's Garden and Nurseries, Sacramento, 1853-1854, reference copy available.

7. Mission Valley, Ernest Benard

8. W.B. Clarke was a long time employee of the CNCo and introduced many important plants during his time as an employee and after he formed his own nursery business. Walter B. Clarke was noted as to assuming a position with Luther Burbank Products, Inc. in 1909 [PRP].

   • [Rust has similar selection]

   • 1932-1933

   • 1933-1934

   • 1934-1935

   • Garden Aristocrats, 1935

   • 1935-1936

   • Garden Aristocrats, 1937 instructions on getting to the nursery.

   • W.B. Clarke 1937-1938 Dr. Bodkin oleander and others

   • W.B. Clarke , Garden Aristocrats, vol. 6, 1939 recently imported from France, Com. Barthelmey

   • Garden aristocrats. Volume 7 1940 No Mrs. Swanson.

   • 1941-1942. Mrs. Swanson "new" 

   • Garden aristocrats. Volume 9 1942 

   • Garden aristocrats : Volume 10, 1943

   • 1943-1944 Mrs. Swanson "Found locally"

   • 1944-1945 Com. Barthelemey imported before the war. Mrs. Swanson

9. Monrovia 1937-1938 seven oleanders including Mrs. Roeding

Oleander

• Oleander Haus

• Charles Shinn, "Early Horticulture in California", 1885, Overland Monthly

• A List of California Nurseries and their Catalogs, 1850-1900, Thomas Brown, reference only

• A Penny a Tree, the History of the Nursery Industry in California, 1850-1976, Van Laan, G.J., 1982.

• A Fruitful Legacy, NPS

• California Nurserymen and the Plant Industry, 1850-1910, E.J. Wickson

• The Source Literature of Early Plant Introductions into Spanish America, George W. Hendry, 1934, jstor

• 1917 Pacific Rural Press

• Tangible Memories; Californian's and their Gardens 1800-1950 Judith M. Taylor and the late Harry M. Butterfield. Covers California's gardens and the nurseries which provided the plants.

• Rainbow! A History of the Rose in California  by Darrell g.h. Schramm 

• "The California Nursery: A History" by Charles J. Burr October 1970; Pacific Horticulture; copy on request

• "The California Nursery Company Archives - Far and Wide" Eden Journal; Winter 2021 

• "Nursery Order for the Avenue of Palms" - Eden Journal; Summer 2015

• "The California Railway Gardener" - Eden Journal; Winter 2018 (about Joannes Reimers who landscaped the Old Adobe gardens (longer version)

Calisphere search for California Nursery Company