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Seeds of Perennials 
Heatherhome’s Delphiniums (Hardy Larkspur) 
Nat. Ord. Eanunculacea 
All plants have charms, more or less. With some we must seek them, with others 
we find them at first glance. Larkspurs are invariably the leading favorites of those 
who love the hardy flowers, because they have virtues of unusual merit. Stateliness 
in appearance, boldness in power, massiveness in form and brilliancy in effect are 
a few of their recommendable features. Their greatest charm to me is the loveli¬ 
ness of their shades, a range unapproached by any other; namely, from the palest 
blue to the darkest indigo and violet. The newer forms, with immensely large flow¬ 
ers and bee-like centers, are remarkably striking. Delphiniums are in their season 
(Juno) the most gorgeous specie of the border, and, by intelligent arrangement 
and care, can be made to appear as a blaze in the garden. The stately spikes will 
grow from 4 to 6 feet tall according to variety, and if cut back immediately after 
blooming a second crop of smaller shoots appear in August, often lasting till frost 
time. These plants should never bo allowed to remain longer than three years un¬ 
disturbed, but each third year separated and replanted. This should bo done in 
the spring. Delphiniums love a rich soil and a sunny situation. A combination 
of blue Larkspur with the snowy-white Ascension Lily (Lily Candidum) is always 
stunning. Both flower at the same timo. Coal ashes, strewn over the plants in the 
fall, will prevent slugs from destroying these plants during winter and spring. 
Delphiniums can be used with splendid effect, not only in the hardy border, but as 
well in formal or Italian gardens, or as specimen plants for a bold decoration near 
entrances of buildings, or in close proximity to gates. The tall-growing varieties 
should be given a space of nearly 2 feet; for the Chinese varieties 1 foot of space 
is sufficient. 
Larkspur cannot only be easily grown from seed, but form one of the interesting 
features in connection with growing perennials from seed. Belonging, as they do, 
to an unusually large family of ancestors, the result of growing plants from seeds 
is always accompanied by chances of getting something different from what is ex¬ 
pected. This may be in the form of pleasant surprises or unpleasant disappoint¬ 
ments. At any rate, wo all love to live in hope. Each of the following varieties, 
except Delphinium Chinensis, does not attain its perfection until two years from 
sowing, although it flowers the year previous; Delphinium Chinensis, though, flow¬ 
ers even the year of sowing. Larkspur seed must absolutely be fresh in order to 
germinate. We pay particular attention to this fact and supply the freshest pos¬ 
sible seed. 
We can furnish late in July seeds of crop 1916 of our own saving and this 
should prove of splendid germinative power. When ordering, please indicate if you 
are willing to wait. 
§8661. —Amos Perry. Spikes 6 feet high, flowers 2 Vz inches across, semi-double, 
of rich, rosy mauve suffused and flushed sky-blue, black eye. . . .Pkt., $ .25 
§8662. — Andrew Carnegie. Double flowers of soft lilac with blue center. .Pkt., .25 
§ 8653 . —Hugo Poortman. Semi-double flowers of pale blue color.Pkt., .25 
§8654. —King of Delphiniums. Enormous, double flowers of indigo blue with 
white, narrow center petals.Crop failed 
§8655. —K. Th. Caron. Bright gentian blue with white center.Pkt., $ .25 
§8656. — Queen Wilhelmina. The loveliest of all Larkspur. Enormous double 
flowers of silky pale blue with center petals of rosy mauve.Crop failed 
§8657. —Zuster Xaigten. Dark blue, very clear. Pkt., $ .25 
, Please Order by 'Numbers only. 
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