10 Ferns, Begonias 
Geo. H. Mellen Co. 
Boston fern 
FERNS 
MOST BEAUTIFUL OF 
DECORATIVE PLANTS 
FOR THE HOUSE AND CONSERVATORY —No plants are easier to grow or more 
ornamental for houses or conservatory culture than these grand Ferns. They require 
very little care or attention. The ordinary temperature of the living room suits them 
nicely, and their new growths will soon surprise you with their graceful beauty. 
THE POPULAR BOSTON SWORD FERN —(Nephrolepis Exaltata Bostoniensis.) In the 
vicinity of Boston no other plant is used so extensively as this graceful Nephrolepsis, 
which differs from the ordinary Fern in having much longer fronds, which frequently 
attain a length of four feet. These fronds arch and droop over very gracefully. It is 
frequently called the Fountain Fern. Small, 15c each; large, 40c each. 
THE “ROOSEVELT FERN’’ (Nephrolepsis Roosevelt) — In general characteristic it re¬ 
sembles the Boston Fern, but with two points of great excellence over that variety. 
First it produces many more fronds, making it a bushier and handsomer plant; then 
the pinnae are undulated, giving it a pronounced wavy effect seen in no other Fern. 
Small, 15c each; large, 40c. 
OSTRICH PLUME FERN (Whitmanii)—-Gracefully divided pinnae, giving the whole 
plant an airy lace-like appearance; makes beautiful symmetrical plants even in small 
sizes. Small, 15c each; large, 40c. 
COLORADO —A new fancy fern of general form and character of Whitmanii, but up¬ 
right and sturdy as the Boston. Fronds are wide, tapering in to tip. Leaflets alternat¬ 
ing on stems. Main leaflets are smaller replicas of whole frond, projecting at right 
angles to stem. Center of each frond dark green; the outer two-thirds light green. 
No stem weakness or delicacy. Small, 20c each; large, 50c. 
SPARROWII— It has dark green foliage which, with its beautiful crested fronds, makes 
it a most unique, distinct and desirable Fern. Its robustness makes it easily grown 
by amateurs. Small, 15c each; large, 40c each. 
INNISFALLEN —This handsome, new variety originated with us. It is of the Elegantis- 
sima type, a strong and rapid grower, handsome green foliage, and has a stiff mid¬ 
rib which makes the fronds stand up better than most varieties of Ferns. It has a 
distinctness of its own. Small, 15c each; large, 40c each. 
VERONA —A handsome variety of the Elegantissima type, somewhat resembling the N. Whit¬ 
manii, but with finer ostrich plume foliage and with a stiffer midrib which makes the fronds 
stand up better. Small, 1 5e each; large, 40c each. 
Dish Fern 
DWARF CROWING FERNS FOR DISHES 
We have grown a large quantity of small Ferns suitable for Fern dishes. The use of ferneries 
as ornaments for the dinner table is now very general. 10c each; set of 8 for 75e. 
VICTORIEA —Has narrow graceful foliage of a deep green color, elegantly variegated with 
silver white. One of the prettiest of the variegated varieties. 
ASPIDIUM TSUSSIMENSE —A pretty, attractive, shapely decorative plant of strong, vigorous 
growth with dark green foliage. 
CRYTOMIUM FALCATUM (Holly Fern)—The leaf is a rich, glossy green, and each leaflet is 
about the shape and size of a rose leaf. The fronds are fine for cutting on account of their 
lasting quality. 
PTERIS WIMSETTI —Green leaves, with the end very peculiarly twisted. It is one of the best 
varieties for Fern dishes, being a short, compact grower. 
ADIANTUM CUNEATUM (Maiden Hair Fern)—A very beautiful and graceful Fern, its delicate 
fronds being much used for cut flower work. 
PTERIS CRETICA ALBA LINEATA— A very handsome Fern, nicely variegated, grows very 
rapidly into handsome plants. 
PTERIS WILSONI- —One of the most dwarf of this class, having deep green foliage, leaves 
heavily crested, giving it the appearance of a tassel. 
PTERIS CRETICA MAYII —A crested form of Pteris Cretica Albalineata, showing same 
variegations as that variety, but of dwarfer habit. 
HARDY FERNS 
These are very useful for growing close to houses and in corners which are too shady 
for other plants. 
Most ferns do best in a light soil containing much vegetable matter. 
30c each; 3 for 75c 
CHRISTMAS FERN —Fine for growing as an individual specimen and ranks with the 
Ostrich and the Osmundas in size and vigorous beauty. 
OSTRICH FERN (Onoclea Struthiopteris)—Girowing in a crown, fronds 2 to 4 feet by 6 
to 10 inches wide; a very handsome species, graceful as a palm. Use lots of manure, 
leaf mould or well rotted peat and it will multiply by underground runners, especially 
so in moist sandy or peat soil. 
INTERRUPTED FERN (Osmunda Claytoniana)-—A large fern growing in a crown 2 to 
3 feet high, 8 inches broad, clothed with rusty wool when young. 
RF^nKlIAQ FLOWERING, REX, 
TUBEROUS ROOTED AND HARDY 
FLOWERING BEGONIAS 
This beautiful class of plants is deservedly popular. They are suitable for pot culture in the 
window for winter blooming. We can furnish Flowering Begonias from 2Vi-inch pots, 20c 
each; 12 for $2.00. EXCEPT WHERE NOTED. 
ARCENTEA GUTTATA —It has purple-bronze leaves, oblong in shape, with silvery markings, 
and is in every way a most beautiful Begonia. Produces white flowers in bunches on ends 
of growth stems. 
BEEFSTEAK BECONIA (Feastii) —A low spreading Begonia, with perfectly circular leaves, red 
beneath, and dark, glossy green above, and of heavy texture. 
CHATELLAINE SUPREME —This Begonia is undoubtedly the freest blooming variety known. 
It is of easy culture, low, bushy habit and literally covered the entire year with a wealth of 
bright pink flowers with yellow stamens. 
CORALLINE LUCERNE (The Wonderful Flowering Begonia)—The blooms last from a month 
to six weeks, and are borne in immense clusters, almost hiding the plant. The color is bright 
coral-red, changing to a delicate pink. 
CRINKLED BEEFSTEAK BECONIA —Beautifully arranged, magnificent crinkled, crested and 
curled, glazed, reddish olive green foliage, topped by clusters of flesh pink flowers. 
EVANSIANA (Hardy Bedding Begonia) —This is a tuberous-rooted, herbaceous, hardy peren^. 
nial Begonia, losing its tops in the fall. When bedded out, the bulbs remain in the soil and 
start new growth in the spring. The plants like a rich, porous soil and partial shade and will 
bloom throughout the summer. Produces clusters of flowers and buds of a beautiful pink 
color by the hundreds during an ordinary growing season. 1 5c each, or 4 for 50c. 
Rex Begonia 
