East Bridgewater Dahlia Cardens J. K. Alexander , East Bridgewater , Massachusetts 
The Peony-Flowered Dahlia 
In presenting my list of New and selected varieties of Peony-flowered Dahlias, I wish to devote a 
few lines to the history of this comparatively new type of Dahlia; a section, which I think, will 
interest all flower lovers. 
Prompted by the great popularity of the Cactus Dahlia ; then so different from the stiff ball-shaped 
Dahlias, but only beautiful for exhibition, lacking the grace and freedom to flower of the Single Dahlia ; 
European hybridizers saw the possibility of making a type suitable for garden and cut flower purposes. 
By crossing the Cactus and other hybrid Dahlias with the Singles, and vice versa, they developed 
quite a new type; the Peony-flowered Dahlia, now popular all over the world. These long stemed, 
semi-double Dahlias were grown in Germany and Holland, and sold as ‘‘Half-double Giant Dahlias.” 
Mr. H. Hornsveld, an orchid specialist of Baarn, Holland, immediately saw their possibilities, and 
collected the largest and most promising specimens. The great development and present value of the 
Peony-flowered type is due to him. After seven years of cross-hybridizing and developing (July 1904) 
he was able to show the results at the meeting of the Dutch Horticultural Society at Roosendaal, 
where he exhibited four varieties, “Queen Wilhelmina”, “Duke Henry”, “Baron G. de Grancy”, and 
“Glory of Baarn.” Here he received a first-class certificate of Merit, and the admiration and en¬ 
couragement of growers and Dahlia lovers. A still greater success was accorded him that same season 
at the International Exhibition at Dusseldorf, Germany, where he gained the highest awards. The 
horticultural world gathered at the Show was charmed by the elegant and artistic form, the strong 
stems, and the delicate colors of the flowers. Mr. Kerr of Liverpool exclaimed, “Hornsveld’s Dahlias 
are the pride of the Show.” After Dusseldorf came Paris. A gold medal and special compliments of 
the jury were the laurels Mr. Hornsveld gathered there. Amsterdam, London, Brussels, and other 
places followed, where he had the same good fortune. 
With this encouragment he continued experimenting and introducing new things, and as his stock 
increased sufficiently, he distributed them throughout Holland. Because of their great value for cut- 
flower purposes and garden decoration, their popularity increased rapidly, and they were exported to 
other countries. 
English and American Dahlia Specialists, seeing their value, immediately commenced experimenting 
and to-day every Up-to-date Dahlia Specialist offers a collection; not only containing the best and 
latest Holland productions, but also English, German, and American creations. 
New Peony-Flowered 
Dahlias for 1917 
I will ship this collection of Three New 
Peony-flowered Dahlias to any part of 
North America for $2.00, prepaid. 
Atlanta. Alexander’s Remarkable New 
Peony-flowered Seedling. An ideal 
flower of remarkable qualities ; flow¬ 
ers beautifully formed, and of ex¬ 
cellent type. Unquestionably the 
most valuable white Peony-flowered 
variety. $1.00 each. 
MARY LINDER. Alexander’s New 
Peony-flowered Introduction. It is 
the marvelous color of this variety 
that makes it a favorite. “Mary 
Linder” is a seedling from the 
popular Hybrid Cactus Dahlia “Master 
Carl” possessing the charming golden 
orange color of that variety, but being 
true Peony in type. The flowers are not 
large, but good medium size, and are 
produced with freedom on good stems. 
This variety was originated by one of 
my customers, Mr. John Linder of Can¬ 
ton, Mass., and through his courtesy I 
have the pleasure of introducing. 75 
cents each. 
MRS. BOWEN TUFTS. Alexander’s Gigan¬ 
tic New Peony-flowered Seedling. Named 
expressly for and by permission of Mrs. 
Bowen Tufts of Boston and Allerton, 
Mass., in recognition of her admiration 
for the beautiful. This creation is the 
finest of my New Peony-flowered Dahlias, 
having gigantic deep rosy purple blos¬ 
soms, which are produced well above the 
foliage upon long graceful stems. The 
habit of the plant is excellent, flower 
stems being long, and the bushes tall 
and exceptionally sturdy. $1.00 each. 
Alice Evelyn—Peony-flowered Dahlia (See page 23). 
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