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NEW TYPES OF AMAZING SIZE AND INFINITELY MORE BEAUTIFUL COLORS ARE PRESENTED IN 
Duckham’s Delphiniums 
Superb forms and colors that have awakened a new interest in these most 
charming old-fashioned flowers 
OR YEARS and years the Delphinium or old-fashioned 
Larkspur has been a favorite for the hardy border. 
However beautiful the old varieties were, they are not 
to be compared with the modern types, the choicest of 
which are still in the hands of a few specialists who devote their 
whole time to bringing them to a still higher state of perfection. 
Our Delphiniums are now well known in every state from 
Maine to California. At every flower show where they have been 
exhibited they have invariably outclassed every competing 
group. For four years our exhibits have carried off the highest 
honors with four special Gold Medals at the great New York 
show, where the world’s finest Delphiniums have been shown. 
Single, semi-double, and double flowers, glorious color shading 
from indigo-blue to pale mauve, lavender, soft pink, and white, 
cover one-half to two-thirds of the giant 5- and 6-foot spikes. 
Every dozen plants include practically the entire color-range of 
this magnificent strain. 
Since the last issue of our Catalogue, we have once more won 
the highest awards for our Delphiniums at the leading shows in 
America. Some of the new colors and unique forms are truly 
amazing in their beauty. We keep in continuous touch with the 
English sources of the hybrids we originally imported and 
distributed in America, and have been fortunate in securing 
special favors from them by receiving consignments of their very 
choicest creations. Adding these to our already famous strain 
has made it unique and outstanding in superiority. 
Young plants which produced their first flowers fall of 1936, 
and which are offered for spring planting, will bring many de¬ 
lightful surprises to those who order now. 
The spikes are of huge proportions and interestingly variable; 
some are broad at the base, tapering to a fine point; some col¬ 
umnar, of uniform diameter; others so compact that the florets 
overlap; while others have a graceful open formation. 
The flowers range from the singles with their individual charm, 
the heavier semi-doubles, to the doubles with two distinct rows 
of petals; they are all wonderfully beautiful. 
Helpful Hints on Growing Delphiniums 
In choosing a site for your border, select one with a southern 
aspect, sheltered from the north by wall, hedge fence, or shrub¬ 
bery. Don’t plant them in low-lying, damp ground. Delphinium 
like well-drained, clayey soil, deeply dug, and heavily fertilized 
with rotten manure. 
Prepare the soil several weeks before planting. Leave it in the 
rough after spading in the manure to give it time to settle and 
permit the manure to mix with it thoroughly. Spade second time 
before planting. 
Choose a clear, dry day for the work. Unpack the plants im¬ 
mediately on arrival. Keep them away from cellar or boiler heat. 
Plant at least 3 feet away from other plants in the border, 
preferably in the back row. Make holes wide enough to accommo¬ 
date the roots spread out. Hold crown of plant level with surface 
of bed, spread out roots, pack earth between and over them. 
Place a stout 5-foot stake in hole to tie and protect the growing 
shoots later. 
Plant in the spring as early as possible—when soil is in a 
workable, friable form. Plant in the fall from September 15 to 
November 15. Either season is good if proper attention is given 
to planting details. 
Apply Duckham’s Delphinium Food at intervals of a few 
weeks in summer. Water regularly and often. Cut away old 
(first) flower-spikes after blooming to induce a second crop. 
One teaspoonful of Black-Leaf 40 and one tablespoonful of 
Bordeaux mixture in one gallon of soapy water, sprayed on 
frequently and thoroughly, will keep the plants healthy and 
free of insects. 
Join the Delphinium Society of America. We will forward your application 
WILLIAM C. DUCKHAM CO. ♦ MADISON, NEW JERSEY 
