J. WILKINSON ELLIOTT, PITTSBURGH, PA. 
26 
DELPHINIUMS—Continued. 
Group of Improved English Delphiniums. 
to the ground ; fresh growth will then be produced, which will 
give blossom. Copious watering in summer will be attended 
by increased size of spike and flower; in fact, in seasons of 
prolonged drouth water is absolutely a necessity on many soils 
if the varieties are to exhibit themselves in their true size 
and beauty of flower and spike. Top dressing is greatly rec¬ 
ommended on certain soils, instead of the bare surface of 
the ground being left exposed to the sun. Some of the 
neater dwarf alpine and other hardy plants may be utilized 
to plant between and around Delphiniums. Coal ashes 
strewn over the crowns will protect the plants from slugs 
through winter and spring. As we have intimated, any garden 
soil suits the Delphiniums; it is, however, necessary to secure 
sorts such as are offered below, in order to obtain an effect 
superior to that afforded by the old smaller-flowered varieties. 
No amount of liberal treatment will cause the smaller-flow¬ 
ered kinds of a few years back to develop into the gorgeous 
hybrids of to-day. 
“The Delphiniums were the first thing that attracted my 
attention, for they were just at their best and there was just 
about one acre of them. They made such a sight as I shall not 
soon forget, so vast was the quantity in bloom, so grand the 
spikes, and so rich and varied the different shades of blue. 
Although I have been a grower of these lovely hardy border 
plants for some twenty years, I was not prepared to see so much 
improvement in color, and was much struck with the intensity 
of the shade in many varieties as compared with the old Bella 
Donna. The varieties which have a shade of bronze in the 
center are also very fine, the contrast between the bronze center 
and the deep blue exterior being very striking. But the shades 
of color in many of the newer sorts almost baffle description, 
and I shall not attempt it. It is in the doubles and semi-doubles 
that the greatest advancement has been made, and many of 
them are trnly lovely. They are much larger and more compact 
than the old doubles of the Ranunculoides type, and conse¬ 
quently are much more valuable for ordinary garden adornment. 
The light-blue flowers with the large white eyes are very striking, 
and of this section Britannia is, I think, the very best Delphin¬ 
ium I ever saw. * * * The Delphiniums do not receive any 
special treatment here, being simply planted on a strong loamy 
soil in an open position. Some few were tied to stakes, but the 
majority do not require it, being so dwarf in comparison with 
the old sorts. This dwarfness of habit is a great gain, and the 
greater portion of the plants were not more than four to five 
feet high, yet carrying immense spikes of large bloom.”— The 
Gardening World. 
Special Offer of Improved English Delphiniums. 
I want everyone who receives this price list to try these improved English Delphiniums, and to that end offer them 
at extremely low prices. I guarantee that they will give unqualified satisfaction in every instance and will be a revelation 
of beauty to most people. p do7 
Fine Mixed English Delphiniums, grown from seed of Kelway’s famous named sorts. 5 ° . 
English Delphiniums, in separate colors, grown from Kelway’s newest named sorts. 2 00 
Selected Varieties, selected from thousands of seedlings grown from Kelway’s choicest named sorts, 3 00 
Extra Selected Varieties . 5 ° cents each 5 00 
DELPHINIUn FORMOSUM. 
In the perennial Delphiniums or Larkspurs we have one of the most beautiful and useful families in hardy plants. 
The old Delphinium Formosum is one of the few hardy plants which has been pretty generally offered by the plant trade , 
yet it is comparatively unknown, although few things can be planted that will give more satisfaction, whether the object 
is decorative effect in the garden or flowers for cutting for the house. Messrs. J. H. Small & Sons, the leading florists of 
New York and Washington, have made quite a hit with it as a novelty in cut flowers. The flowers are intense deep blue, 
perhaps the most brilliant blue to be found in flowers freely produced in long spikes; blooms 111 June and July and con¬ 
tinues for a long time in bloom, and if the plants are cut back after flowering will bloom a second time in the fall. 1 he 
plants grow to four or five feet in height, and if planted in masses about two feet apart will produce a splendid effect. 15 
cents each ; $1.25 per dozen ; $8.00 per 100. 
DELPHINIUn FORMOSUM COELESTINUM. 
This rare and scarce Delphinium has all the good qualities of the well-known Formosum, but instead of dark blue 
flowers produces great spikes of exquisite light blue bloom, the loveliest shade of blue in the floral world. I have always 
treasured this Delphinium in my garden, but could never get enough stock of it to offer. 1 his season I have secured 
three thousand plants, which I can offer at a reasonable price. Each. 20 cents; $2.00 per dozen ; $12.00 per 100. 
Per 100. 
$10 00 
13 00 
20 00 
