THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PLANTING IN THE MASS 
For display of bloom in the summer garden Gladiolus in large masses of one variety 
has exceptional value. The time of bloom may be extended by succession plantings 
PERSONAL PREFERENCES OF A GLADIOLUS FANCIER 
I. S. HENDRICKSON 
Ex-President American Gladiolus Society 
MgF A hundred people were asked to name their favorite 
dozen of any plants for any purpose, it is almost inevita- 
ble that no two lists would be alike, so much depends on 
the individual taste; and in giving my choice of a dozen 
Gladiolus for garden use I do not expect everyone (nor perhaps 
any one) to agree with me. [It would be interesting to hear 
from other fanciers of the Gladiolus in comment on this list — 
Ed.] The list that follows is arrived at by the process of “elim- 
ination.” There may be individual varieties that surpass in 
color the variety named; but, after considering all phases to- 
gether, namely, growth, health, flower, spike, etc., as well as 
color, each one “elected” to the dozen will, 1 think, hold its 
own. 
As an example of what 1 mean, take the variety Peace. 1 
know that there are better whites such as Europa and White 
Lady; but where one person can successfully grow them there 
are nine that cannot, whereas Peace makes a fine bulb to begin 
with, then always throws a vigorous spike of very good white 
flowers so that nine out of ten persons will get satisfactory results. 
In “electing” this dozen 1 have asked myself what varieties 
out of a collection of several hundred can be depended upon to 
furnish definite color effects when used either in large-scale. 
massed decoration, or more simply in the wall- or table-vase 
which may hold only a single spray. 
The following varieties stand out in my thought as answering 
the question; and although those named are not the very latest 
introductions, they hold their own in spite of recent rivals, 
and most of us will, I believe, cling to them for some years to 
come. They afford some very striking combinations for color 
effects: Baron Hulot and Schwaben for example; or Evelyn Kirt- 
land and Peace; also Pink Perfection and Peace. 
America: Without question the most popular variety ever 
introduced; its lovely orchid color, the lavender-pink seen in 
Cattleyas, renders it ever desirable. It is the variety that 
awakened widespread interest in Gladiolus back in 1906, and 
the first to command a large sum ($ 4000 ) for the control of the 
stock. A “ gem of the first water” and, in my opinion, to-day 
unbeaten by any of its seedlings or competitors as an all-around 
useful and beautiful flower. 
Attraction: Has dark, rich crimson petals with a very large 
and conspicuous pure white centre. It is beautiful, attractive, 
and a sure producer of flowers with no other variety just filling 
its place. Introduced in 1906. 
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