FLOWER SEEDS 



BeckerCs Seed Store, 101 and 103 Federal St., N. S., Pittsburgh, Pa. 



Rare and Desirable New Flowers for 1923 



Progress in horticulture is unceasing. Kvcry year brings fori li new types and new colors in flowers larger and liner formed or more 

 beautifully colored than the old. Specialists in main parts of the world are constantly hybridizing and selecting with their chosen sub- 

 jects. As a rule, it takes years of work to develop and "fix" a new type; more years are required to produce sulhcicnt seed to distribute to 

 planters, even in a very limited way. Each year we endeavor to secure I he best of the new flowers. The varieties offered below represent, 

 in our judgment, the most noteworthy of the recent developments of which small quantities of seed are available for distribution in 1923. 



TWO NEW BORDER FLOWERS 



2034 Ageratum, Blue Ball. HA. The most compact 

 symmetrical, and free-llowering of the Ageratums, 

 forming dense little ball-shaped bushes which be- 

 come literally covered with clusters of intense deep 

 \ iolet-blue flowers. Outstanding in form and color, 

 this is the finest Ageratum yet developed and one 

 of the best blue flowers for borders, edging, and 

 porch-boxes. Pkt. 25 cts., 3 pkts. for 65 cts. 

 See page 40 for other varieties of Ageratum. 



2073 Alyssum, Golden Gem. HA. A compan- 

 ion to those favorite edging plants, Little Gem f 

 and Lilac Queen Alyssum, but with clear creamy 

 yellow (lowers which are most attractive in con- 

 trast witli the green of foliage. Yellow has not 

 been previously found among the annual Alvs- 

 sums and has been rare among the desirable 

 edging subjects. Golden Gem is very compact 

 and free-blooming. Pkt. 15 cts., V4OZ. 50 cts. 

 See page 40 for other Alyssums. 



Four Superb New Colors in BECKERT'S 

 MAMMOTH SNAPDRAGONS 



In size of spike and individual flowers, Beckert's 

 New Mammoth Snapdragons so far exceed any strain 

 of Antirrhinum previously grown that they can be 

 compared only with the Gladiolus. The six original 

 varieties introduced in 1922 created a sensation 

 wherever they were grown. The four new sorts offered 

 this year round out the range of colors available in this 

 grand type. 



2109 Snow-flake. Pure white, with just a suggestion 

 of yellow to brighten the flower in the throat. 



2114 Ruby Giant. Carmine in the center, shading to scarlet at the 

 edges; yellow lip. Gorgeous. 



2115 Canary Bird. Clear delicate canary-yellow. The pure color 

 of this flower is unusually pleasing. 



2117 Old Gold. Deep golden yellow, changing toward the center 



into bright terra-cotta. A fine blend of autumn colors. 

 Packets only, 35c. each. The Set of Four Varieties for $1.25, postpaid 

 The Original Six Mammoth Snapdragons are described on page 41 



OTHER NOTEWORTHY FLOWERS which we offer for the 

 first time this year, are described on pages 42, 46, 49, 51 and 62. 



Dahlia-flowered Zinnias 



Viscaria. Innocence. A single plant 



The "Last Word" in Zinnias 



MAMMOTH DAHLIA-FLOWERED 

 ZINNIAS in Beautiful New Colors 



Besides producing by far the largest flowers of all the 

 Zinnias, the Dahlia-flowered varieties are distin- 

 guished by being nearly as deep in the center as they 

 are wide, with smaller individual petals than the 

 ordinary varieties, but many more of them. More- 

 over, their colors are softer and more pleasing, being 

 characterized by blended shades and pastel 

 effects which, with the slightly reflexed and 

 closely overlapping petals, give the whole flower 

 the appearance of a fine satin cushion. The 

 plants are tall and vigorous, producing a wealth 

 of immense blooms from July until frost. 



In 1922 we first offered the seed of this sen- 

 sational new type, but it was then available 

 in "mixture" only. Another year's work has 

 made it possible to offer a limited quantity of 

 the seed of nine distinct colors. 



5253 Canary Bird. Clear primrose-yellow, retaining 

 its pure color to the very last. 



5256 Oriole. Immense gold and orange bicolor. Per- 

 haps the most beautiful in the entire group. 



5257 Golden State. Deep yellow in the bud turning to 

 clear rich orange in full bloom. 



5259 Polar Bear. Pure white; of mammoth size. 



5260 Sunrise. A unique and very attractive blend of 

 buff and apricot shades. 



5262 Exquisite. The most pleasing color in Zinnias. 



Light rose-pink shading to deep rose in the center. 

 5264 Flame. A striking blend of scarlet 

 and orange which seems to shine like burnished copper. 

 5265 Monarch. Deep glowing red; enormous flowers, 



often 8 inches in diameter. 

 5267 Dream. Lavender, deepening to mallow-purple 



in full bloom. An extraordinary color in Zinnias. 

 Each, pkt. 50 cts., 3 pkts. for $1.35, 6 pkts. for $2.50, 



the set of 9 for $3.75 

 5270 Mixed. Dahlia-flowered type, but does not 

 include the improved varieties offered above., 

 Pkt. 20 cts., Vioz. $1. 



Refer to page 65 for the complete list of Zinnias 



NEW HOLLYHOCK 



3508 DOUBLE EXQUISITE. HB 



Since the introduction, some years ago, of the fine 

 forms described on page 51, little progress has been 

 made with these favorite old-fashioned flowers, so we 

 are pleased to present this new selection which is unique 

 and exceptionally attractive in both form and color. 

 The flowers are very double, each petal exquisitely 

 curled and fringed, with a broad margin of white, 

 the centers being shades of rose, carmine, purple, 

 and violet. In form they suggest the beautiful double 

 fringed petunias while in color they resemble the pelargo- 

 niums. Lovers of Hollyhocks will welcome this mag- 

 nificent new type. Pkt. 35 cts., 3 pkts. for $1.00. 



NEW COLORS IN VISCARIA 



Closely related to "Ragged-Robin" and the old-fash- 

 ioned "Catchfly," the large-flowered dwarf hybrid 

 Viscarias are so easily grown under even unfavorable 

 conditions that they should take place among the most 

 desirable of bedding annuals. These two new forms 

 are exceedingly free-blooming; when in full bloom 

 scarcely a leaf can be seen. See illustration. 



5137 Innocence. Pure white. 12 inches. 



5138 Loyalty. Clear lavender-blue. 



Each, pkt. 25 cts., 3 pkts. for 65 cts. 



Double 

 Exquisite 

 Hollyhocks 



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