8 MRS. THEODOSIA B. SHEPHERD'S CATALOGUE. 



STRELITZIA. 



Bird of Paradise Flower. 



Very strange, beautiful and stately plants belonging to the same family, 

 as the Traveller's Palm, Banana, Plantain, etc. They are natives of the Cape 

 of Good Hope and are named for the queen of George Third, Charlotte of 

 Mecklenburg-Strelitz. They are very rare and offered by few florists in this 

 country. 



StrelitZia ^igantea. This magnificent plant bears a strong resemblance 

 to the celebrated Traveller's Palm of Madagascar. Specimens in my garden 

 are 15 feet high, with stems measuring 28 inches in diameter. The leaves are 

 large, leathery and massive, with a yellow mid-rib and ridges of parallel veins;' 

 they have long stems, very broad at the base, with which they alternately 

 clasp the main stem, and stand out on each side, which gives a very beautiful 

 fan-like effect, the first leaves starting out at the base of the plant. The 

 flower stems emerge from the base of every leaf, close to the main stem, and 

 consist of a short main stem and three long, pointed, boat-like, brownish pur- 

 ple spathes, two at right angles and one standing out from the center. From 

 these come numerous bird-like flowers, with large pure white sepals and bright 

 blue petals. Plants bloom nearly all the year. It is as stately and elegant as a 

 palm, and very ornamental. For groups or lines it is very effective and makes 

 a stately ornament for courts, conservatories or sheltered places with other 

 tropical plants. Large plants only $5, $10 and $15 each. 



Augusta. Like the above but more dwarf in habit; not so massive; very 

 beautiful. $5 to $10 each. 



Rcgina. This variety is not as rare as the above. It forms large clumps 

 and makes a very showy ornament for the garden. Leaves are spade-like on 

 long, slender stems, that start from the base of the plant. The flowers are 

 borne on long stems high above the foliage from a spathe: the sepals are bright 

 orange, the petals bright blue. It is called the "Bird of Paradise Plant" from 

 the resemblance of the flowers to this brilliant bird of the tropics. It forms 

 large clumps and blooms nearly all the year. Strong plants $1.50 to $3. Ready 

 May 1st; orders booked. 



Sollya Heteropliylla. a graceful, trailing shrub, with shining lanceo- 

 late leaves and clusters of exquisite, bright blue flowers on thread-like stems 

 from the axils of every leaf. Blooms eight months of the year. 25c each; 

 seeds 10c per pkt. 



Zeprhaiithes Floribunda. 



A charming variety, with large golden yellow flowers borne in pairs on 

 long, slender stems. Very beautiful and fragrant. 15c each, $1.50 a doz. post 

 paid. 



Rosea. Powers large, bright pink, lily-like, on slender stems. Not new, 

 but very beautiful. 5c each, 50c a doz postpaid. 



Some Interesting Cactus. 



GBRCUS GBMMATUS— Organ Pipe Cactus. 



A most interesting variety, with very smooth stems, divided into six 

 deep ridges by long lines of short spines, resembling beading. The flowers are 

 small, brownish red, one inch long and are very close together. The beauty of 

 the plant lies in its massive grandeur and bead-like lines of spines. It resembles, 

 when vvell grown, a great organ pipe. Specimens grow 15 to 20 feet high and 

 measure 26 inches ia circumference. Small plants are very handsome. 25c, 

 50c, 75c to $3 each. A few enormous specimens. Price on application. 



