VENTURA-BY-THE-SEA, CALIFOKNIA. 19 



MRS. SHEPHERD'S GRAND NEW TREE BEGONIAS. 



Brilliant Leaves and Magnificent Flowers. 



Words are inadequate to describe the beauty of these new begonias as they 

 appear in my lathhouses and greenhouses. 



They are of the Otto Hecker and Pres. Gaulin type, but greatly superior in 

 every way. All have large oblong leaves and immense panicles of very large 

 flowers in shades of pink and red. They are tree-like, strong and robust, sending up 

 a great number of canes to the height of six or eight feet. The foliage is a yellowish 

 or bronzy green, exquisitely beautiful in texture, and has a shining silken lustre. 

 The difference between the various plants consists in size and shape of leaves, and 

 the brilliant colors with which they are, at various times, tinged or illuminated; 

 they change in the different stages of growth. The shades of color are bronzy red, 

 terra cotta, old rose, delicate pink, wine color, copper, yellow feathered green, and 

 other Mendings indescribable. The underside of the leaves is a rich wine color, claret, 

 terra cotta, and in some varieties they are charmingly flushed with these lovely 

 colors. Though giants in size there is not the least suggestion of coarseness about 

 them. The leaves measure frequently 15 inches in length, by 7% across. The young 

 foliage is often spotted with silver. Owing to the great demand for these begonias 

 my stock is still very limited. The following are crosses from Gloria de Juoy by 

 Paibra. 



BEGONIA AFTERGLOW. A perfectly lovely variety with very large leaves, that 

 in their changes remind one of the glowing tints of the sky after sundown. It is 

 a very vigorous grower and bears a profusion of flowers in immense clusters; the 

 pistilate flowers have scarlet ovaries and shaded rose colored petals ; the leaves 

 are at times dotted with silver sport. Plants from 2i/ 2 -mch. pots, 50 cts. each. 



BEATRICE. Truly a stately plant, with graceful arching branches and beautiful 

 lustrous foliage, that changes in all stages of growth like autumn leaves ; they 

 are a bright terra-cotta red underneath and handsomely spotted with silver 

 above. The flowers hang in long drooping graceful panicles, bright scarlet with 

 rose colored petals. This begonia, delights everyone. Small plants $1. Ready 

 April 15. 



YOSEMITE. A grand plant with a very stately habit ; leaves large, slightly droop- 

 ing, having a lustre like changeable silk. The flowers are in very large clusters, 

 and are a lovely light pink, a very vigorous grower. Plants from 2 1 / / 2-mch. pots, 

 50 cts. 



BEGONIA KATHLEEN. A very tropical looking begonia, of the same type as 

 others of this cross, but having the largest foliage of any; the leaves are immense, 

 dark red undernearth, dark shining green above and closely covered with large 

 silver dots ; the large cluster of flowers are a rich, dark shining red. Plants from 

 2J/2-inch pots, 50 cts. 



BEGONIA MANZINITA. A very pretty variety, with the darkest leaves of any of 

 the set; flowers in large cluster, a charming shade of light pink. Plants from 

 2i/2-inch pots, 50 cts. 



NEW BEGONIA ROSENGOLD. A very handsome variety, tall growing, with 

 large clusters of rose colored flowers, and rich changeable foliage, dark red under- 

 neath, and frequently turning golden shades feathered with green above. Avery 

 lovely variety. Plants from 2i/2-inch. pots, 50 cts. 



BEGONIA ENCHANTRESS. This charming variety has very large, shining, dark, 

 green leaves with dark red edge, very delicately waved, underneath they are rich 

 shining wine color; the young foliage is a coppery green, shaded with terracotta, 

 the foliage when old is also brilliant; it has immense clusters of very large flowers 

 of a beautiful, rich rose color, shaded red. 50 cts. each. 



BEAUTY. This variety has very large, dark leaves, having four points; the text- 

 ure is exquisite, like changeable silk, and waved at edges ; theyoungfoliage is old 

 pink, veined green, changing to darker colors, A grand variety. $1.00 each. 



ATALA. Large leaves with three rather blunt points, dotted with large and small 

 silver spots ; mulberry -red underneath ; young foliage a dark bronzy red. Flow- 

 ers bright pink. A splendid grower. 35 cts. each. 



BRILLIANT. Very long leaves with three sharp points ; intense bright red under- 

 neath ; young foliage is illuminated with a bronzy copper, veined and feathered 

 green, changing to brighter color. Splendid panicles of flowers of deep coral- 

 red. 35 cts each. 



