CHOICE SELECTIONS IN PLANTS. F. R. PIERSON CO., TARRYTOWN-ON- HUDSON, N. Y, 9A 
NOVELTIES IN CANNA 
]SfoW offered for ti^e first tiiije. 
HESE new Cannas which we offer to our customers this year are mainly of our own production, and are the result of very careful hybridization. They are not chance seed- 
lings, but are crosses between the latest and best sorts only, and are decided improvements, and will add variety and perfection to our list of Cannas. Among the novelties 
which we offer are four of our own introduction; one raised by another American grower; another, the best of the French productions; and another, the best of the German 
productions, which, taken all together, form a list that has never been equaled as a whole. There is not a poor variety in the lot — each variety being absolutely and perfectly 
distinct, and all will undoubtedly become standard sorts. Our own seedlings were selected from nearly a thousand plants, and while many of those which we discarded were supe- 
rior to many of the so-called novelties that have been sent out from time to time, they were not markedly distinct or superior enough to warrant us in disseminating them. We can 
offer the below-named novelties, knowing that they cannot fail to please. 
F. R. PIERSON. 
A superb variety, having the largest truss and the most perfect flower of all the Cannas 
that have been introduced up to this time. The petals are very round, overlapping each 
other, and approaching more nearly the ideal Canna. The petals recurve, giving the en- 
tire head a very compact appearance. When trusses are fully expanded it makes an im- 
mense globular head of scarlet. The color of the flower is an intense glowing scarlet, the 
centre of each flower being touched with yellow, giving it the effect of a golden heart, 
intensifying the brilliancy of the scarlet and adding to the beauty of the flower. Expert 
judges who have examined this Canna and seen it growing, pronounce it by all odds the 
finest Canna they have ever seen, and are enthusiastic in regard to it. It is very superior 
to Charles Henderson, or any other variety of a similar color, in every way — growth, size 
of flower, etc. It is an exquisite variety, and has only to be seen to be appreciated. It is 
perfect in every way, and cannot fail to please the most critical judges. It is a compact 
grower and a free bloomer, but its particular value lies in its exquisite coloring, large size 
of truss, and perfect flower. Price, $1.50 each; $15.00 per dozen. 
SUNSHINE. 
This is one of our own seedlings, and produces the largest truss of bloom and the larg- 
est individual flower, some measuring as much as six inches across. It is also one of the 
most vigorous growers, sending up numerous strong shoots, which makes it an unusually 
free bloomer. It is dwarf in habit, and is a beautiful thing. Color, deep orange suffused 
with scarlet, with a delicate fringe of gold around the petal. The name Sunshine was 
suggested for this variety on account of its brilliancy when bedded out, the flowers being 
covered with a satiny sheen which reflects the sunlight. It is by far the best variety of 
this particular shade of color that has been raised up to this time, being a very great im- 
provement on Paul Marquant, which it somewhat resembles. Price, $1.00 each; $10.00 
per dozen. 
ORIOLE. 
This is an exceedingly showy Canna, one of our own seedlings, and is very similar in 
color to Queen Charlotte; but it is a stronger grower, a freer bloomer, and has a larger 
flower and larger head of bloom. The centre of the flower is bright scarlet with a broad 
edge of yellow, which is not so wide as in Queen Charlotte the scarlet and yellow blending 
more, producing a more brilliant effect. The flowers show no tendency whatever to 
fade. Tested alongside of Queen Charlotte, it showed two or three times as many flowers, 
and, we believe, will surpass that variety for bedding purposes. It is a fine thing in every 
way. The petals measure four inches in length, it having the longest petal of any; in 
fact, the extraordinary length of the petals makes them seem narrow, whereas they are 
almost as broad as those of any other variety. Price, $1.00 each; $10.00 per dozen. 
QUEEI CHARLOTTE (Koenigin Charlotte). 
This is a very striking novelty, unquestionably the finest German novelty of the year. 
It was raised by Pfitzer of Stuttgart, and has attracted a great deal of attention, as it has 
a very beautiful and distinct flower. The centre of the flower is bright scarlet, bordered 
with a wide band of pure gold encircling each petal, which produces a very novel and 
beautiful effect. It is a dwarf grower, growing about three feet in height. On account 
of its general beauty it cannot fail to attain the greatest popularity, and it should certainly 
be in every collection. Price, 75 cents each; $7.50 per dozen. 
COLUMBIA. 
A gem among Cannas; is an American seedling, and, probably, taking everything into 
account, the most distinct Canna that has been disseminated since the introduction of 
Mme. Crozy, as it has an entirely distinct habit of growth, and the character of the flower 
is equally distinct ; color, rich cardinal red. It is a very strong grower, but very short 
and stocky, with abundant foliage. The most peculiar characteristic of the plant is its 
branching habit, sometimes having three or four trusses of bloom on the same spike, all 
open at the same time, producing a mass of bloom of an even height. The petals have re- 
markable substance, lasting upon the truss longer than those of any other variety — wind 
and rain having less effect upon them, which is a long step forward in this direction, 
flowers remaining good upon the heads of bloom for weeks at a time. What is wanted 
in Cannas is flowers that have the ability to stand wind and rain, and that are not easily 
marred. Columbia comes nearer meeting this requirement than any other variety up to 
this time. Price, $1.50 each; $15.00 per dozen. 
This is a grand variety, pronounced by all who have seen it the finest yellow Canna 
raised to date. It is of the very highest quality as regards either size of flower, habit of 
plant, or size of head of bloom. The flower is not a perfectly pure yellow, but is so nearly 
so as to show no trace of color at a short distance. It is very finely speckled with the 
lightest red, which is apparent only upon close examination, and which tends to intensify 
the yellow rather than to detract from the purity of the color, the effect of the flower at a 
distance of a few feet being a very deep golden yellow. It is so yellow that, when placed 
alongside of Florence Vaughan, it makes that variety look red. In Eldorado we have a 
first-class yellow, which it will be hard to beat. The flowers never fade, dropping from 
the flower spike as soon as they pass perfection, leaving it always bright and clean, so 
that the bed is always a mass of the brightest golden yellow. All yellows that have been 
introduced up to this time have faded badly, and have been, inferior to Eldorado in size. 
Eldorado is an ideal Canna in everyway, and so near a pure yellow as to leave little to be 
desired. It is as good as the best of the other colors, and will supersede all other yellows 
that have been introduced prior to this time. 
This is not a seedling of our own, but is a new French variety which we have thoroughly 
tested the past year alongside of other yellows of both foreign and domestic introduction, 
and find that it surpasses all yellows that have been brought to our attention up to this 
time. It seems to be a pure seedling from Mme. Crozy, with, which variety it is identical 
in habit of growth, height, etc. The flowers are of the largest size, being larger, fuller, 
and more perfect in every way than Mme. Crozy, They are broader, with broader petals 
— petals being almost an inch and a half in width. 
Everyone who sees Eldorado is charmed with it, and it is sure to meet with as large a 
sale as any that have been introduced, if not larger, as it will meet the demand for a 
high quality yellow Canna. Having tested it thoroughly for a year, we have had an op- 
portunity of watching it, and have no hesitation whatever in recommending it in the very 
highest terms. Price, $1.00 each; $10.00 per dozen. 
HELEN GOULD. 
This variety was raised by Mr. Ferdinand Mangold, Superintendent for Miss Helen 
Gould, at Lyndhurst, the magnificent country seat of the late Jay Gould. Mr. Mangold, 
who named this Canna, considers it one of the finest bedding Cannas that he has ever 
seen. It is quite distinct in habit, is a tall grower, and produces long trusses of rich apri- 
cot-orange flowers. It is a very striking color, and lights up well, the trusses as they 
develop assuming a somewhat drooping appearance, as in Alphonse Bouvier. 
Price, $1.00 each; $10.00 per dozen. 
F0K ILLUSTRATIONS SEE OPPOSITE PAGE, 
