SEED OFFERINGS FOR 1937-38 
All seeds offered here are strictly fresh; all of them are tested f-or 
germination before placing on the market. Any failure you may experience with 
their germination will be your own. You may be the best expert in the world, 
but you cannot absolutely control your seed-bed environment. The more highly 
bred the seeds are, the more sensitive will they be to adverse environments. 
All seeds are the result of cross pollination by hand, and in my seeds there 
is no such thing as best or next best; each seed-lot represents the best in its 
class. By the best I do not mean the best in this country or in the world, but 
the best in my garden only. 
The assorted crosses are made with the idea of intensifying the particular 
characteristic for which they are bred. Thus, white crosses should give you 
comparatively more whites than colored varieties, but they do not assure you 
all white progenies. Same applies to light or dark shades, to blue colors, and 
to seifs. The light crosses will not give you only light colored seedings, but 
any color may be represented; however, you will obtain more and better light 
shaded seedlings from them than you will from other assortments. 
1. Mixed Crosses 
These represent all crosses and are of as high a quality as any other 
offered in this list. This mixture is made for the gardener who does not have 
large enough space to accomodate more than one packet of seeds. 
2. Dark Crosses 
Only darker shades of delphiniums are used here. Special attention is paid 
to deep, sparkling tones. Most of the parents are large flowered delphiniums 
with flowers three inches across or more. Occassionally a smaller flowered 
type is used to give a sharper accent to color, stiffness to the spike, length! to 
the flowering spike, etc. 
3. Light Crosses 
Like the foregoing, except that softer shades are used exclusively. Some 
of the most attractive delphiniums are to be found here. 
4. Blue Self Crosses 
This year for the first time I offer the pure blue seifs with greater con¬ 
fidence because a number of exceptionally fine blue parents are available. 
Purer colors, larger flowers, and longer spikes are now in prospect. However, 
we are still far from the ideal blue with as long spikes and as large flowers as 
the best of present-day hybrids. 
5. Orchid Self Crosses 
With a mild pride I point to this group of delphiniums as the most out¬ 
standing contribution of the Lyondel Gardens. Absolutely self colors in orchid, 
in lilac and lavender, and in smokey colors that defy description. Fine, stately 
spikes, very large flowers, and a great variety of floral patterns. These 
delphiniums are so different as to baffle the ordinary gardener. They are 
excelled for cut flowers; their charm and refinement is truly captivating. And 
the best part of it all is the fact that most of the seedlings come true to the 
color. 
6. Deep Lilac and Violet Self Crosses 
Like the foregoing in every respect except that the colors are much deeper. 
Companion plants to the orchid self delphiniums, deep lavender, violet, prune 
purple, absolutely self, these crosses will lend distinction to your garden. Not 
as large a percentage of the seedlings will come true to color as in the fore¬ 
going crosses. 
7. Pure White Crosses 
My whites have steadily improved and I am offering them to you with 
much less hesitation this year than formerly. Purer colors, larger flowers, and 
larger spikes are now available. If you want contrast in your delphinium; 
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