VENTURA-BY-THE-SEA, CALIFORNIA. 



Mrs. Shepherd's New Giant Begonias. 



Seediin^® from PBNH RUBi^A. 



The charming- mother of these Giant Beg-onias is thrown in the shade by 

 her stately child ren. Their canes shoot up like stems of bamboo, some of which 

 measure Ig inches in diameter at the base. The leaves are thick and leath- 

 ery, and often measure ten inches long- by four and one-half across. The 

 flowers, which hang- on very long-, strong- stems, 5 to 7 inches in leng-th, are 

 double the size and number of those of the parent. They are prolific bloomers 

 at all stag-es of g-rowth. 



Hebe* Lig'ht g'reen foliag-e. Young- leaves spotted with silver. Old 

 leaves often measure 10 by 4^^ inches. The plant, if allowed, will g-row 6 to 8 

 feet high. The flowers are pale pink of an exquisite melting- shade, indescrib- 

 ably beautiful, a perfectly lovely begonia. 25c to 50c each. 



Princess Alice, a stately new beg-onia, that reminds one in its exquisite 

 loveliness of some fair blonde princess. On oldplants the canes of this beg-onia, 

 which g-row in the Rubra style, sometimes measure IJ inches in diameter at 

 the base. The foliage is two or three times the size of Rubra; the young- g-rowth 

 is pink with silver spots. The older leaves are a light green, at first lined with 

 bright red, which fades later. They are very thick and leathery. The flowers 

 hang in very large panicles, on long, strong stems, and are a most exqusite 

 deep pink. It is always in bloom, and is a noble descendant of that old favorite 

 "Rubra." Still very scarce. 25c. 



Carmeil. a lovely variety; a wonderfully profuse bloomer that bears 

 perfect showers of exqusite pink blossoms. The original plant stands eight 

 feet high, with four great canes, with wide spreading- branches, resembling a 

 great fan, draped nearly to the ground with great clusters of flowers. So 

 it has appeared for most of the past year. The foliage is similar to the other 

 varieties described below. 35c each. 



"Striking Beauty** Almost the counterpart of the lovely "Princess," 

 with the same habit of growth, and large leathery folliage. The flowers, how- 

 ever, are more the color of Rubra, but it is a Rubra magnified several times, 

 both in flower and foliage, and is the general favorite of all who see it. It 

 makes a beautiful companion to the "Princess. ". 25c to 50c. 



Rubra **Bain!)00'* The stems of this giant begonia shoot up like canes 

 of bamboo; it has strong, rich foliage, thick and leathery; the bright young 

 foliage is covered with large silver spots; it has immense panicles of bright red 

 flowers on very long, strong stems. 25c to 50c. 



Red Coral, a greatly improved Rubra; leaves much larger, flowers 

 brighter and on very long stems; a fine bloomer . 25c each. These Begonias 

 ready May 1st. 



Incarsiata ^'California*' a seedling from "Incarnata, " much stronger 

 habit, with leaves twice as large, and prettily waved; flowers a deeper shade 

 and much larger, and in larger panicles; a vigorous grower and always in 

 bloom; beautiful for boquots. 15c to 25c. 



Sylvia. A very pretty seedling from "Incarnata California, " with beau- 

 tiful lacinated foliage and a profusion of dainty pink flowers in graceful droop- 

 ing clusters. It throws up numerous shoots, forms a round handsome 

 plant and is alvvaysin bloom. Especially fine in winter. An ideal basket plant. 

 25c each. 



Day Dream, a seedling of the Pres. Carnot type. The most rapid 

 grower of any of that style. The foliage is spotted silver, is smaller and has 

 shai'per points than the other kinds. It has magnificent large clusters of ex- 

 quisite pink flowers. It makes a splendid tall large plant. 25c and 50c each. 



