POLY ANTHUS 
The Polyanthus, or cluster Primrose, is not only the most popular 
of the Primrose family but, because of its unlimited color range, end- 
less variations and ease of culture has become the leading spring- 
flowering perennial. It has been said of Polyanthus that they have 
such an air of enjoying themselves, and that their yellow eyes are 
always fixed in the direction of brightness. The sheen and vibrancy 
of their maroon, claret reds and cherry shades; the silken, rich yellows 
and orange; the intermediate overlays of bronze, copper and tangerine; 
the deep and tremendous blues; the frosted whites, and pinks—the 
shade of wild roses, apple and peach blossoms—the apricots and laven- 
noe subtle as a Corot, have the quality of capturing and holding the 
ight. 
The velvety scent of them is of an elusive sweetness, a provoca- 
tive fragrance nowhere found outside the family, one which has 
been compared to dark red wallflowers in the full sun. It is the scent 
of two of their ancestors, the meadow Cowslips and the star-like 
Primroses native to England, often modified through the absence of 
fragrance in the other two forbears of the modern Polyanthus, the 
English Oxlip and the many-colored Primrose which brightens the 
eastern shores of the Mediterranean and the Caucasus with its pink 
and carmine shades, its lavenders and purples. 
Polyanthus need no formal treatment. True, they are breath-taking 
and unforgettable in patterns using separate colors or gradations 
of one color. But for sheer pleasure which arrests time and creates 
an atmosphere of gracious charm and tranquil living plant them 
under apple or plum trees, in the shade of flowering shrubs or, if 
you are fortunate enough to have a pool or stream, colonize them 
in such secluded coolness. At Barnhaven we grow them along the 
creek, under the alders, and on the hillside in an old apple orchard 
which slopes toward the east and the snowcaps of the Cascade 
Range. These extensive plantings are necessary for the satisfaction 
of our customers who ask us to select for them and ship, and for 
the selection of parent plants which makes the Barnhaven Strain 
of Polyanthus famous for color, form, size and variety. Stalks are 
from 9 to 12 inches, umbels full and rich, foliage patterns as varied 
as color and designs of the individual blosoms which are rarely under, 
more often over, silver dollar size. 
All of the following plants are the result of hand-pollination 
and, unless otherwise stated, are $3.50 a dozen at Barnhaven. 
Piease refer to page 31 for postage rates. If specific shades of 
any color series are ordered, it is well to give an alternate 
choice. 
PASTELS— Light and delicate colors such as pink, peach, apricot and 
rose shades, ivory, cream and lavender. 
GRAND CANYON SHADES— Vivid and subtle blends approximately 
described as coppery shades, mahogany, tile, bronze, and tangerine 
often two-toned and suffused with rosy tints. 
HARVEST YELLOWS—A color range suggesting ripening grain 
fields from straw shades through golden yellow to deep orange. 
INDIAN REDS—Rich and glowing scarlets, velvety crimsons and 
black maroons with some tomato shades. 
WINTER WHITE—Large, sparkling white in variety of textures with 
gold or deep orange centers. 
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