14 



TWIN-LARCHES NURSERY, WEST CHESTER, PA. 



Delphinium, continued 



dry. As soon as the spikes of bloom have withered, 

 cut them off at the ground and a new crop will soon 

 spring up. At this time it is also a good plan to dig 

 a handful of bone-meal around the plants and give 

 them a good soaking with water or liquid manure. 

 In the winter, besides the usual protection, cover the 

 crowns with an inch of coarse ashes or sand to 

 prevent slugs from attacking the young sprouts, and 

 also to keep water from collecting and rotting the 

 plants. After three or four seasons it is better to 

 divide the plants and replant them, preferably in 

 the spring. 



Belladonna Types 



Some years ago Delphinium Belladonna was greatly 

 prized as the freest blooming and most delicately 

 colored of hardy Larkspurs, in spite of the fact that 

 it was a plant of rather weak and spindling growth. 

 It also had the disadvantage of being a very shy 

 seeder, but from a chance plant in the nursery of 

 Sutton & Sons a race of Belladonna seedlings 

 was finally developed, and from these in turn, crossed 

 with the other sorts, came the named Belladonna 

 Hybrids. 



All these kinds resemble the original Belladonna 

 in their graceful branching habit and loose, open 

 spikes of bloom, but they surpass it in freedom of 

 flowering and in their robust and sturdy habit. 

 Undoubtedly they are the most satisfactory of all 

 Delphiniums; every one can be given the highest 

 praise. 



Capri. Neither sea nor sky at the enchanted spot 

 this variety is named for could be of a lovelier shade 

 of pale, diaphanous blue. The plants are particularly 

 vigorous, growing to a height of 6 feet, with many 

 side branches from the main stalk, and splendid long 

 spikes of widely open flowers. An almost continuous 

 bloomer. 40 cts. each. 



Mrs. J. S. Brunton. Is of a deeper and more 

 intense blue than Capri, a blue with a luster like 

 blue enamel. Though it grows only about 2% feet 

 tall, the flower-spikes are particularly large" and 

 widely branching, and the individual blossoms ex- 

 quisitely formed. A very beautiful sort and a won- 

 derfully free bloomer. 50 cts. each. 



Theodora. Probably the loveliest of single Del- 

 phiniums, with a charm quite distinct from any 

 other kind. It has particularly finely divided foliage 

 ol a grayish green, and very graceful branching 

 spikes of large, Hat (lowers, but its chief glory is its 

 color— a clear cornflower-blue, of extraordinary 

 depth and richness, surprisingly heightened by a 

 soft brown eye. For masses it gives an effect that is 

 undeniably beautiful. Should always be staked, as 

 the stems are not quite so sturdy as the other Bella- 

 donna types. 4 to 5 ft. 50 cts. each. 



Lamartine is the darkest variety — a deep indigo, 

 contrasting vividly with its pure white center. A 

 rather low branching grower; very hardy and strik- 

 ingly effective. 40 cts. each. 



Belladonna semiplenum. Perhaps the most 

 valuable Delphinium on my list; a plant that has 

 absolutely every good quality except fragrance. As 

 its name suggests, it is semi-double, a widely open, 

 loosely formed (lower of a clear soft blue, 'a trifle 

 deeper than Capri. On each petal there is a little 

 touch ol pinkish lilac, which does not muddy the 



color in the least, as one might expect; seen close 

 at hand it gives a charming effect, and at a little 

 distance it is quite invisible. Though the plant 

 rarely exceeds 3 feet in height, the flower-spikes are 

 so loose and graceful that there is no suggestion of 

 "dumpiness." They are ideal for cutting, not only 

 because of their beauty of form and color, but 

 because an almost unlimited quantity of blooms 

 can be taken from the plants without sacrificing 

 their decorative value in the garden; new flower- 

 stems keep springing up before the old ones have 

 laded. Last summer, with the exception of about a 

 week in August, there was not a day from the last of 

 May to the last of October when my nursery rows 

 of Semiplenum were not covered with bloom.' Such 

 a record could hardly be equaled by any other plant. 

 Moreover, it is hardier and increases more rapidly 

 than any other double Larkspur. 35 cts. each, S3. 50 

 per doz. 



Moerheimi. Mr. Ruys of the Royal Moerheim 

 Nurseries, must have congratulated himself when 

 he introduced this notable pure white Delphinium. 

 Many double whites had previously been sent out 

 by the Kelways, but none that could compare with 

 Moerheimi in color or habit. As the originator has 

 stated, it is the counterpart of Capri in everything 

 but color, which is a pure, cool white, with a cream- 

 yellow eye. Nothing has been given out concerning 

 the parentage of this plant, but in habit and flowers, 

 if not in foliage, it very closely resembles an enlarged 

 Chincnse album. 



It is hardly necessary to say what splendid effects 

 can be had by using Moerheimi, either grouped alone 

 or combined with the other varieties, in which case 

 it can take the place of Lilium candidum in gardens 

 where that noble plant is difficult to establish. Try 

 planting it back of masses of deep orange California 

 poppies or African daisies. Next to Semiplenum, the 

 most continuous bloomer. 50 cts. each. 



Belladonna Seedlings. These plants are a 

 little variable in shade, but most of them are a clear 

 sky-blue, almost identical with the old Belladonna, 

 which I have discarded. The individual blossoms 

 are larger and the plants taller, averaging about 5 

 feet when established. They are free bloomers, and 

 are excellent for massing or for planting in the 

 reserve garden, where they will supply an abundance 

 ol line flowers forcutting. Good, strong plants, 25 cts. 

 each, $2.50 per doz. 



Double Varieties 



These are of a more massive, erect habit than 

 tiie Belladonna types and generally do not bloom 

 more than two or three times during the summer. 

 They are very showy. 



Amos Perry. Very large flowers on massive 

 spikes; semi-double; outer petals sky-blue, inner 

 petals rich lavender, with a conspicuous black eye. 

 Very distinct. 50 els. each. 6 ft. 



Corry. Very long spikes, closely set with immense 

 flat flowers over 2 inches across.' In color it is one 

 of the richest and most showy of the double sorts; 

 a combination of brilliant blue and violet, with a 

 dark brown center. 50 cts. each. 



Mrs. Creighton. Outer petals deep sapphire- 

 blue, inner petals rich purple, with a dark eye. A 

 very dense spike, perhaps a bit crowded for the 

 best garden ellect; but, cut and brought into the 

 house, the colors take on a peculiar luminous quality, 



Unless otherwise noted, all plants in this catalog, 15 cts. each, $1.50 per doz., $10 per 100 

 Six plants sold at the dozen rate. All plants listed at 25 cts. each are $2.50 per doz., $15 per 100 



