




FOREWORD 
Delphinium Species oumber, I believe, over 300, of 
which we in America have in cultivation not a dozen 
species. 
Many of, or I might say most of the species would 
not prove of any horticultural value as garden plants 
or for the florist trade. I therefore, have chosen only 
those species which I feel may be of use to lovers of 
this delightful perennial as garden subjects, some of 
the dwarf types for rock gardens, several species which 
I feel are of most interest to florists for cut flowers, 
and also species which may prove of value to those who 
love to hybridize to produce something new in the 
realm of floriculture. In my explanation of the char- 
acteristics of the various species, I have used Prof. 
Bailey’s Hortus 2nd and also his latest book, ‘‘The 
Garden Of Larkspurs,’’ where I did not have personal 
experience with a particular species. In the event that 
a plant does not come up to the standard for the 
variety, one must take into consideration environment, 
and many other factors which affect growth. For in- 
stance, a certain plant may attain the height of five 
feet in parts of Europe, whereas in certain parts of 
America it will not grow over three feet. I will be 
constantly in search of new and interesting species 
from the world field, but there will be times when 
even with our fast mode of transportation I will run 
short of hard to get varieties, for several of them 
come from far off Asia and Africa in the higher regions 
where cool temperatures prevail. If I have something 
new to bring out in mid-year, I shall attach a supple- 
ment to this catalogue. And last but not least, if you 
are really interested in the Delphinium as one of, if 
not the most beautiful of border perennials, and would 
like to see it become widespread as in England where 
it has been so successfully propagated, join the ‘‘Amer- 
ican Delphinium Society.’’ Address Mr. Carl Grant 
Wilson, 22150 Euclid Ave., Euclid, Ohio, secretary and 
treasurer. The fee is $2.00 a year, and this covers 
beautiful Year-Book and several bulletins during the 
year on all phases of culture. 
CULTURE NOTES 
SEEDING—Where a packet or more is to be 
planted, nothing comes in handier than a florist’s flat, 
say about 15 by 20 by 4 inches deep. This gives 
enough space to plant about a packet of three hundred 
seed. The best time for planting seeds of Delphinium 
is in the early spring, say March or April in the 
northern states, when the use of a hot bed or cold 
frame is available, or one may start the seed in the 
house or other building where temperatures are around 
' 70 and lighting conditions are proper. The seed may 
be sown directly in an outdoor seedbed if one takes 
care to protect same from flooding rains and give 
proper protection when seedlings come up. I have 
found the use of a hot bed with bottom heat from 
electric cable to give very best results for raising early 
plants which bloom profusely in the fall or summer, 
but many do not have these advantages. 
For soil to plant in, I prefer a sandy loam, but if 
the soil is of a heavy texture, I add about 4, sand to 
give good drainage and aeration. Prepare the surface 
well and if using a flat or other container of similar 
nature, lay out rows about 1 in. deep and 2 in. apart, 
sow seed about 1% in. apart and sift mixture of sand 
and soil over seed and press into contact with seed. 
Seedbed is ready to be watered by either a fine spray 
until thoroughly soaked, or in the case of a flat, one 



