Headliner Glads for 1955 
7t Critical Selection of the World's Finest Glad Varieties 
Glad fans generally want to know three things about 
a variety which they have not yet had a chance to try 
out for themselves: 1. How beautiful is it? 2. How 
valuable is it as a cut-flower? (i.e., how does it rate 
in performance?) and 3. How large is it? 
The generally adopted 500, 400, 300, 200, 100 size 
classification, explained on colored sheet, accurately 
describes the floret size. To assist in respect to beauty 
and cut-flower value, we devised the following rating 
system and inaugurated it five years ago as an ex- 
periment. Customer-reaction has been so favorable 
that we plan to continue it. In preparing the ratings, 
I have again sent out questionnaires to a number of 
persons of my acquaintance whom I feel to be among 
the best glad judges in the country, including both 
fanciers and growers. Also, as in previous years, I 
have refrained from rating my own varieties, leaving 
it to the friends with whom I consulted to do this for 
me. 
Because glads often vary in performance from place 
to place and from year to year, especially when not 
acclimated, I want it to be clear that I am not present- 
ing these ratings in a dogmatic spirit. Others are fully 
as much entitled to their opinions of varieties as we 
are. However, I think that these ratings, based in 
most cases on rather extensive growing experience and 
representing a consensus (and not solely my own 
opinion) will give a pretty good average picture of the 
merit of each variety and thus prove helpful to our 
customers. 
KEY 
moderately beautiful 
* beautiful 
kk very beautiful 
* *& *% supremely beautiful 
+ > Ue OF 
suitable for home garden only 
good local cut-flower 
very good cut-flower type 
e e excellent commercial type 
AGEN ENTE (518) eis ee ME 
Abu Hassan -—-% 19:6) (80 days) 
(Pelegrina x Amur) Though the color is unusual, this 
glossy deep violet gladiolus is most useful. A few 
spikes in a mixed bouquet give contrast and life. Used 
in arrangements with yellows, lavenders, or pastel rose 
shades it gives just the right accent to an interesting 
ensemble. You'll not be disappointed with this inky 
colored glad. 
(L 2-.25; 10-1.00) (M 10-.70) 
(S 10-.40) (Blbts. Pkg. .25) 
wk * *& (454) (Sisson, 
Ace of Spades 2% 1950) (35 davs) 
(King Lear x Preussen’s Gloria) The demand for this 
almost black glad was so great last year that we had 
difficulty supplying everyone who wanted it. The 
catchy name seems to have attracted many glad fans. 
While the rather plain form is not too pleasing to us 
we like its glistening black sheen and tall growth. 
Not a wet weather variety. 
(L 1-.50; 10-4.00) (M 1-.35; 10-2.80) 
(S 1-.25; 10-2.00) (Blbts. 8-.25; 100-2.50) 
* *& *& (406) (Armstrong, 1950) (85 
Andrena e @ e days) ((Elizabeth the Queen 
x Allecta) X (Rosewings x Picardy)) We think of 
Andrena when cool pastel shades are mentioned. The 
pale rose-pink florets have a frostiness about them 
which produces a sparkling effect. A hint of green in 
the light cream throat adds to the overall cool tone. 
Andrena is not too tall but the flowerhead is nicely 
proportioned. 
(L 1-.25; 10-2.00) (M 2-.30; 10-1.20) 
(S 10-.80) (Blbts. 15-.25; 10-1.00) 
x %& %& (412) (Flad, 1953) 
Amber Glory 20 F (3571S) Sent. 
light x Show Princess Seedling) Amber Glory will 
appeal to the grower of cut-flowers and those who 
like to bring flowers into the home in quantity. It is 
rather plain in form but likes to grow and bloom. 
Opens about five large, orange-throated, amber-toned 
florets on tall straight spikes that are a joy to cut. 
Prolific! 
(L 1-.50; 10-4.00) (M 1-.25; 10-2.00) 
(S 2-.30; 10-1.20) (Blbts. 10-25; 50-1.00) 
wk *& (236) (Hedgecock, 1946) (80 days) 
Atom e e (Kewpie x Golden Brown) A 
dashing, dancing, dazzling little elf. He’s robed in 
brilliant scarlet and he wears a creamy white halo at 
all times. He craves to come right in the house with 
you and loves to be surrounded with other flowers. 
He admires creamy yellows, whites, reds, and bronzes. 
(L 2-.25; 10-1.00) (M 10-.70) 
(S 10-.40) (Blbts. Pkg. .25) 
* * * * (410) (R. Pruitt, 1948) 
Aureole o ee (80 days) Consistently 
a best seller for us, Aureole is one of our most heavily 
ruffled glads. The nicely rounded, broad florets are 
well attached to the slender, medium height spikes. 
For florists work and your own home decoration you 
will find this shade of yellow most useful. Neither the 
color nor the form are accurately reproduced in the 
picture on page 32. 
(L 2-.25; 10-1.00) (M 10-.70) 
(S 10-.40) (Blbts. Pkg. .25) 
Autumn Moon 272 9 {hh 
cher, 
(75 days) (White Gold X (Autumn Gold x Cream 
Seedling of Gloaming)) We really appreciated the many 
fine qualities of Autumn Moon this past summer. Its 
earliness, its good height, its clear, light yellow color, 
and its size were all we could desire in a dependable 
cut-flower. Opens well when shipped in bud. 
(L 2-.25; 10-1.00) (M 10-.70) 
(S 10-.40) (Blbts. Pkg. .25) 
Babs x * * (210) (R. Pruitt, 1945) (65 days) 
ee Like most of the miniatures we list, 
Babs blooms very early. It is a small counterpart of 
Aureole in color, ruffling, and form. We know you'll 
enjoy using Babs and don’t overlook its ability to win 
ribbons. 
(L 2-.25; 10-1.00) (M 10-.70) 
(S 10-.40) (Blbts. Pkg. .25) 
