!i. dkr\i\ell $L ^01)^’ Gfiiide. 
^ N-' N.y-V> ^ 
NEW CONTINENTAL VARIETIES. 
LB PROGRES (Van Geert)— Distinct and a great improvement, ground colour light green, 
evenly and beautifully blotched with deeper green, light lake, crimson and maroon ; fine 
FURST BISMARCK (Bcnary)— Deep purple, light lake edged orange, maroon, anil green, 
strong habit > e < 
SPLENDENS (Benary)— Centre of leaf almost aiuolive-grecn, succeeded by 
a (l^eep blackish maroon colour, finishingoff with a peculiar yet pleasing shade of rosy crimson, notched 
and edged with yellow ; distinct 
PRESIDENT GARFIELD (Benary) — Bright rosy magenta centre, veined purple, edged witli 
brownish maroon and green ; distinct and beautiful 
2s. each. March, Is. ; May and after, 6d. each 
NEW SINGLE DAHLIAS 1883. 
T. iloore, Esq^., of the Botanic Gardens, Chelsea, was the first to commence the improvement of 
the single varieties, and his .success reaches far higher than that of any other profe.ssional raiser. We 
affirm that the gracilis varieties of that gentleman, sent out by us last year are the general favourites, 
and those now offered decidedly approach very near, if they do not quite reach the standard of per- 
iection to which a single Dahlia slioidd attain for the decoration of oiir homes and gardens. 
It may he well to note that the choicer varieties of Single Dahlias should not be giown in 
ovei'-rich or heavy soil, which induces rank growth. They are much hotter cultivated iu light friable 
soils, assisted once or twice when they have reached the flowering stage, hy a mulching of short littery 
manure, water being supplied in greater or less abundance according to the requirements of each season. 
PUMILA GROUP. , 
This Group consists of varieties which grow from 2 to 2J feet in height, of dense compact habit, 
and with an abundant head of bloom ; the individual flower-heads, ranging from 2 to 2J inches 
across, well proportioned, and nicely displayed above the foliage. 
CHRYSO — A small flowered bright yellow, of good form, remarkably free 
CICERO — A neat but effective deep scarlet, the florets slightly reflexed, broad and closely set 
LEO — A small flowered orange-buff, distinct and pleasing in colour 
NECHO — A very pretty small flowered pale magenta, flushed with crimson towards the base of the 
florets 
POLO — A small neat bright purple, with the florets broad and closely set 
VIRGO— Pure white, of meuium size, neat, with reflexing florets, and very free. 
5s. each ; the set of 6, 25s. 
HUMILIS GROUP. 
This variety differs from any we have previously seen, in its exceedingly dwarf cusliion-like habit, 
the plant barely exceeding 1 foot in height, but forming a dense mass 2 feet across, close set on the 
ground surface, and covered freely with small neatly-modelled flower-heads throughout the season. We 
anticipate that this will become the parent of a new dwarf race, which will be invaluable for beds or the 
fron^arts of herbaceous borders 
PUMILA— A small clear yellow, a free bloomer, and of good form. 7s. each. 
GRACILIS GROUP. 
This group has won universal admiration on account of its dwarfish freely branching habit, its 
abundant flower-heads of elegant form and moderate size, and its graceful finely-cut foliage. To the 
splendid varieties of las^ear we have now to add the following. 
GRACILIS LUTEO-NANA — Of free flowering, bushy habit, the flower-heads clear yellow ; 
the plants are exceedingly dwarf, scarcely exceeding 1 foot in stature, and representing quite a 
miniature form of the D. gracilis type 
GRACILIS RUBRO-NANA — Of similar habit to gracilis bUeo-nana, glowing about 1 foot in 
height, the flower-heads freely produced, of a reddish scarlet, and of an attractive character 
gracilis CONCINNA-This is, to our mind, the model of the single Dahlia, as adapted 
for decorative gardening ; it has the elegant finely-cut gracilis foliage, while the flower-heads have the 
beautiful flat evenly spread arrangement of J). coccinea, the colour being a bright orange-scarlet. 
7s. each. 
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