I T was only a few years ago that hybridists commenced to show active interest in the creation of new lilies. At the 
summer show of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society held in Boston in 1937, we were awarded the large Gold 
Medal of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society for our large lily display, at the same time three of our lilies were 
awarded “Awards of Merit’’ at this exhibition. One of our introductions, Lilium x Theodore A. Havemeyer, was 
awarded an “Award of Merit” by the Royal Horticultural Society in London, July, 1937. 
While there is a multitude of true lilies in existence, only a small number have proven to he successful in the 
average American garden. For this reason 1 have confined myself to certain varieties. The varieties of new lilies appear¬ 
ing in these pages have all been thoroughly tested. You may order them with the utmost confidence that they represent 
the best that have been produced to date. 
John T. Scheepers. 
NEW AND RARE LILIES 
THE FAMOUS BACKHOUSE HYBRID LILIES 
R esulting from crossing Lilium Hansonii with the various types of Lilium Martagon. The late Mrs. R. O. Backhouse 
developed this wonderful new strain and garden lovers have much to thank this lady for, for her development of 
these very beautiful lilies. They are for the gardener who wishes to surround himself with the choicest flowers and 
plants in the creation of an “exclusive garden.” 
BROCADE. A most effective garden lily, vigorous and 
very free-flowering, growing to a height of 6 feet. Each 
inflorescence carries a multitude of orange-yellow flowers, 
overlaid with rosy pink on the outside and the interior 
marbled pink with chocolate spots on a yellow ground. 
The flowers are remarkable for their broad perianth seg¬ 
ments. Fall planting, about 8 inches deep; June-flowering. 
A few specimen bulbs, $10 each. Extra-selected bulbs, 
$7.50 each. Smaller, 2 year old bulbs, $5 each. 
GOLDEN ORB. Light, clear, straw-yellow with green 
center, freely and conspicuously spotted with small crim¬ 
son dots which are darker in color towards the center of 
the flower. The blooms are fleshy, about 3 inches across 
and pendant at the end of the stalks. The perianth re¬ 
mains flat till the pollen is ripe, after which the segments 
recurve somewhat. The exterior of the flower is ribbed 
with deep golden brown. Fall planting, about 8 inches 
deep; June-flowering. Extra-selected bulbs, $ 15 each. 
Smaller bulbs, $ 10 each. Smaller, 2 year old bulbs, $7.50 
each. 
MRS. R. O. BACKHOUSE. A tall and stately lily grow¬ 
ing upwards of five feet high, bearing from fifteen to thirty 
flowers of an orange-yellow tone, lightly spotted with 
purple. The general form of the flower is somewhat remi¬ 
niscent of Hansonii, but the petals are wider and stouter 
and the flower does not reflex so much as in Martagon; 
this lily is most distinct in character and we look upon it 
as one of the finest hybrids yet raised. Fall planting, about 
8 inches deep; June-flowering. A few specimen bulbs, 
$10 each. Extra-selected bulbs, $5 each. Smaller, 2 year 
old bulbs, $3 each. 
SCEPTRE. One of the best of the seedlings raised by 
Mrs. Backhouse and one of the last to flower. As grown 
in our trial garden the plants were over 6 feet in height. 
This variety is very vigorous and free-flowering. It must 
be seen growing to appreciate its effectiveness. The 
flowers, which are star-shaped, are pinkish buff and freely 
covered with small dark spots. When better known it will 
prove a great acquisition to the hardy flower border. Fall 
planting, about 8 inches deep; June-flowering. A few 
specimen bulbs, $10 each. Extra-selected bulbs, $7.50 
each. Smaller, 2 year old bulbs, $5 each. 
SUTTON COURT. Somewhat similar to the foregoing 
variety, but stronger in growth. The flowers are slightly 
smaller, more reflexed and heavily spotted with purple, 
while the exterior of the petal is distinctly shaded with 
pink, the internal surface being of a light yellow, the 
whole inflorescence being of a most distinct and pleasing 
appearance. Fall planting, about 8 inches deep; June-flow¬ 
ering. A few specimen bulbs, $ 10 each. Extra-selected 
bulbs, $6 each. Smaller, 2 year old bulbs, $4 each. 
BACKHOUSE HYBRID LILIES IN MIXTURE. There is 
such a great variation in lovely shadings and forms that all 
cannot be named. We now offer a superior mixture, con¬ 
sisting of carefully selected colorings; a splendid invest¬ 
ment that will increase in value and beauty from year to 
year. Only limited stock is available and we recommend 
that reservations be made early. $50 for 10. Smaller, 2 
year old bulbs, $30 for 10. 
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