Aurelian Hybrid Lilies 
Produced by DeGraaff 
SUNBURST STRAIN 
New Aurelian Selections 
AURELIAN “Apricot Queen’’—159-This remarkable and handsome 
new hybrid resulted from a re-combination of certain of the best 
characteristics of the Aurelian lilies. It is an exceptionally large 
bowl-shaped flower, more like an Auratum in its general appearance. 
It’s free flowering, medium height, three to four feet, especially 
suited to the middle or foreground of the hardy border. Apricot 
Queen is one of those never to be forgotten lilies which, once you 
have seen, you will never be satisfied until it is flowering in your own 
garden. It is, of course, propagated vegetatively from a single origi- 
nal clon. It has a strong constitution and seems to propagate well 
and quite rapidly. It is recommended to lily breeders as it has proven 
itself an excellent parent in the production of numerous very fine 
hybrids. Culture the same as other Aurelians. Stock Limited. 
Each $8.35 
AURELIAN Sunburst “Special Selections’’—149—During the past sev- 
eral years Mr. DeGraaff has been vegetatively propagating numerous 
selections from this strain and though there are but a few bulbs of 
each different color, we offer them to those who want this strain 
in unmixed selections. They are now available in Apricot, Bicolor, 
Ivory, Orange, pale Yellow, Lemon Yellow and Yellow. Except that 
they may be had in specified colors, they are the same as the strain, 
No. 150. In ordering please give first and second choice of colors 
if possible. Each $18.75 
Among Mr. DeGraaff’s contributions to the fast growing host of 
new lilies, these Aurelian Hybrids are probably the most important. 
They result from literally thousands of crosses between L. Henryi, 
L. Sulphureum and trumpet lilies such as Olympic Hybrids, L. Sar- 
gentiae and many others, with selections crossed, re-crossed and 
back crossed in almost every imaginable fashion. We first offered 
three of them in 1951, namely Sunburst, Heart’s Desire and Gold2zn 
Clarion strains. This year we are adding some special selections 
to them. 
Not only are Aurelians important because they offer lilies with 
the ‘‘new”’ look, but equally of note are their exceptional qualities 
of health, vigor, vitality, free flowering, strength of stem, size of 
bloom and all ‘round good behavior. We have long recognized the 
inherent superiority of hybrids over species and this group is a 
perfect example to prove our point. Grown in the open field without 
the least pampering, they stand out preeminent. Planted in the 
border with any other lilies, their quality is strikingly evident. Truly, 
they are ‘‘lilies of the future’’. 
Last summer, one of our good customers in the middle west wrote 
me an excited letter. Among his new Centifoliums we sent him the 
previous fall, he finds blooming a most extraordinary lily and he 
describes what was evidently an Aurelian, accidently mixed in at 
digging time. Never had he seen such beauty and would | please 
tell him what it was. The letters last fall about Aurelians ordered and 
shipped in ‘52 have made us very happy. We knew they would 
satisfy and they more than did so. 
These Aurelians are among the strongest growing of all new 
lilies. Last summer | visited the fields when they were in full bloom. 
The day was very hot with strong gusty winds. Most lilies would 
have been in tatters but these Aurelians stood up well and took the 
punishment. Two days later | was back to check their condition and 
all were seemingly perfect. Seldom would they have to stand that 
kind of treatment in the average garden but we know they can 
take it. 
They appreciate a partially shaded spot if possible and the bloom 
will hold its delicate colors and last longer. August flowering. Plant- 
ing depth (PD) 6 inches. Ht. 4 to 7 feet. 
AURELIAN “Sunburst’’ Strain—150-These show their Henryi blood 
but are much larger and less reflexed. The picture does not do them 
justice. Many spread eight inches or more. Twenty blooms pz2r stem 
is not unusual and their general habit and placement of bloom is 
like their parent Henryi, well spaced but not so pendant. This group 
is sold as a mixture with colors ranging from white with golden or 
apricot throats, some throats striped green, to all shades of yellow, 
cream, buff, apricot and now and then, almost orange. All in all, 
they are a grand group. Remember, mixed only. 
3 for $5.30, each $1.95, Doz. $20.95 
AURELIAN “Hearts Desire’’ Strain—151—Intermediate in form be- 
tween Henryi and the trumpet lilies, these are widely-flared. Shal- 
low bowl-shaped blooms in shades of cream, yellow, apricot and 
near white. Most have orange throats and shade cream-yellow at 
tips of petals. They are a beautiful lot, welcome in any garden. These, 
like the Sunburst strain, are sold mixed only. 
3 for $6.75, each $2.45, Doz. $26.85 
AURELIAN “Golden Clarion’ Strain—152-Typical trumpet lilies, 
the like of which we have longed for these many years. If you love 
the gorgeous Olympic Hybrids, you will indeed rejoice in the per- 
fection and beauty of these ivory to butter colored trumpets. They 
are still scarce and rare which is reflected in their price but as fore- 
runners of a new race, you will welcome them. Sold in mixed shades 
only. 3 for $14.95, each $5.65 
