The nucleus of the present 
Richards Gardens was started 
in 1918 when the present 
owner, Charles T. Richards, 
was recovering from a serious 
CaSChOLeiti eas: 
“Ordered by my doctor to take a leave of absence and not 
work for a year, I turned to gardening as a means of occu- 
pying my time. I had always greatly admired Peonies and 
now began to study them and the best methods of growing 
them. I sent to George H. Peterson of Fairlawn, New Jer- 
sey, a prominent Peony grower at that time, for 12 Peony 
plants which I grew on a vacant lot. This original planting 
is still blooming luxuriantly. 
Charles Thomas Richards 
Peony Specialist 
We Grou Ouer 20 Acres of 
Peowies Euery Year 
Growing Peonies proved fascinating work and soon I 
became a Peony hobbyist. As newer varieties came out they 
were added to my collection. I remember very well making 
a purchase of Kelway’s Glorious for which I paid $50.00, 
quite a sum in those days! 
Over the years the Peonies have been given meticulous 
care and the fields have been rogued consistently to keep 
the varieties straight and true-to-name. By 1928 I had so 
many hundreds of Peonies, it became necessary to expand, 
so I purchased the present farm which constitutes Richards 
Gardens. We now have many acres of Peonies in cultiva- 
tion and have sold hundreds of thousands of them. 
About 1933 we started the perennial gardens and now 
shes more perennials than any other nursery in the United 
tates.” 
We Offer the Highest Rated Peanieds 
AVALANCHE A choice creamy white Peony. The flower 
is large and compact, with a collar of creamy white petals 
surrounding a center of delicately tinted lilac-white petals, 
occasionally edged carmine. Blooms late in the season. 
Excellent cut flower and show variety. Each 75c. 
BARONESS SCHROEDER Large; double; midseason. 
Flesh-white tinted creamy pink. Each 75c. 
EDULIS SUPERBA A fine Peony in the dark pink class. 
Early blooming; free flowering. Good cutting variety. 
Each 60c. 
FELIX CROUSSE (8.4) Double type; large; late mid- 
season. Brilliant crimson of even tone and good silky 
luster; medium height, good foliage. Each 75c. 
FESTIVA MAXIMA (9.8) Double type; very large; 
early. White with prominent crimson flecks on a few 
central petals; tall good foliage. Each 75c. 
MARY BRAND (8.7) Rose type; large midseason. Dark 
clear crimson, with a very brilliant sheen, notably fra- 
grant for a red variety. Medium height. Outstanding 
variety. Each $1.25. 
24 
Mary Brand 
