LILACS 
GROUP I (continued) 
Blue Hyacinth, BCDE 
From the time we first saw it in flower no other name 
seemed appropriate. The single flowers have the 
longest corolla tube and lobes (‘‘petals”) we have 
ever seen. The latter are strap-shaped, recurved, and 
so long that if straightened out the flowers would 
be up to 134 inches wide. Buds are light mauve, open 
flowers blue. Early, moderately fragrant and reason- 
ably productive. Clusters are very large, often a foot 
long and 8 or 9 inches wide. It has always been great- 
ly admired at our lilac shows. Our own opinion of 
its merits is corroborated by J. C. Wister, famous 
author of “Lilacs for America,’ who wrote us last 
summer saying “It bloomed here this spring and was 
exceedingly beautiful.” 
Cora Brandt, DE 
The double white flowers of moderate size are borne 
well above leaves in broad, much-compounded clus- 
ters made up of as many as six spikelets. The flowers 
are not at all crowded in the clusters which spoils so 
many double lilacs. These features make it unique 
among double whites. The plant is compact and un- 
usually well formed with numerous spreading 
branches making it a heavy producer. It is of mod- 
erate growth and blooms in midseason. A further 
good point is that flowers are very firm, so keep 
well when cut. This is named as a tribute to the high- 
ly efficient work of the gracious lady who has been 
secretary of California Horticultural Society since its 
organization in 1933. For sale east and west as well 
as outside the U.S. A. 
Kate Sessions, CDE 
We can say without qualification that this is the 
earliest Lilac we have ever seen. The flowers are 
single, medium purple in bud, opening mauve pur- 
ple, finally blue (H. C. C. Campanula Violet 37/2.) 
The clusters, almost always compound, are large in 
both length and width while the individual flowers 
are enormous, often attaining 114 inches across. 
Growth is between moderate and vigorous. Produces 
heavily, starting to bloom when quite young. It is a 
common practice to refer to named lilacs as “‘hy- 
brids,”’ but in fact almost all are not. This, however, 
is an actual hybrid, S. vulgaris x oblata, which well 
accounts for its earliness. 
Named as a souvenir of Miss Kate Olivia Sessions, 
who died in San Diego March, 1940, at the age of 
83. She was active as a nurserywoman up to the time 
of her death and had introduced a wealth of new 
plants into California. Balboa Park in San Diego 
is practically a monument to her. We trust our lilac 
will be considered as good as her memory deserves. 
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