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Altha Hall Gardens

Rosslyn, Va.

1925

DAHLIAS

PEONIES

GLADIOLI

and

GANNAS

W. S. BENEDICT, Grower

General Information

Kindly send me your order as soon as possible and avoid
disappointment, as some varieties are limited. If possible,
name second choice as I do not substitute unless advised
to do so and then only with varieties of equal or greater
value.

Bulbs will be shipped-as soon after April 15 as weather
and dividing the clumps will permit. They should not be
planted before the middle of May; from the. first to the
middle of June is better.

I guarantee every bulb sent out to be true to name and
to grow when shipped, but cannot be held accountable,
if bulbs are kept in a dry place too long before planting.
As soon as received, they should be covered with moist
earth and allowed to start before planting. Will replace
bulbs the following year that do not prove true to name.

Dahlias should be planted about three and one-half feet
apart each way. Dig the hole about one foot deep and
mix a small amount of fertilizer whh dirt in the bottom
of the hole to within six inches of the top. Place the bulb
on its side and cover with about two inches of dirt, grad-
ually filling in the hole as the plant grows.

After the first killing frost, cut off stems to about four
inches above the ground and carefully remove the roots
from the ground, being careful not to break them from
stalks. Store in a cool, frost-proof cellar away from the
furnace where they will not become too dry.

The size of the bulb has nothing whatever to do with
the quality. One the size of a peanut, if it has a good eye,
will give as good a plant as one the size of a large potato.
But one eye should be allowed to a bulb in dividing them.

Terms. — ^Cash with order unless otherwise arranged.

Assortments. — For those not acquainted with the dif-
ferent varieties of dahlias, we will make up a collection of
one dozen tubers, no two of the same, of om: own selec-
tion, all named varieties and listed in this catalog, for
$5.00, $10.00 or $15.00. In each case, we will give good
values and generous count.

Reference. — Riggs National Bank, Washington, D. C.

Key to Abbreviations. — C., Cactus; Dec., Decorative;
H. C., Hybrid Cactus; P., Peony.

We make a specialty of growing those varieties that
are best for exhibiting and last well when cut for the
house. In our opinion, this constitutes two of the best
assets that a flower can have. There are enough excellent
varieties of this class so that a great many other varieties
can be discarded. The others I have listed have merits
warranting their places in this catalog.

List of Tubers

Alex. Waldie: Broomall; Dec. Color, cream overlaid
salmon pink. Similar to Bonnie Brae but better form,
stem and bush growth. $2.50.

Ambassador: Broomall; H. C. Soft yellow buff, shaded
salmon pink; fine form, very large, perfect stems.
Excellent keeper as cut flower. $5.00.

Amtm Ra (The Sun God): Seal; Dec. Burnt orange,
shaded with gold and amber. A vigorous grower with
good stems. Keeps fine cut. $2.50.

Attraction: Hornsveld; H. C. A beautiful lilac-rose pro-
duced on imusually stiff stems. One of the best keepers
when cut. $.75.

Ballet Girl: Bessie Boston; C. Some orange edged white,
others pure orange, still others variegated. A splendid
cut or exhibition flower. $1.50.

Baltimore: Vincent; Dec. A good keeping yellow on good
stems. $.50.

Ben Wilson: Dec. Red, with gold tips. A wonderful
flower, very large and heavy. Strong stems. Very
fine. $1.50.

Bianca: H. C. A new Dahlia of large size and splendid
form. Rose-lilac on strong, stiff stems. Good cut
flower variety. $1.00.

Break O’Day: Maytrott; H. C. Clear sulphur yellow
shading to sulphur white on tips. Certificate of Merit,
A.D.S. at Storrs, 1920. $.50.

California Beauty: C. A pure copper in color. Resem-
bles Golden West Cactus, except better bush and much
larger blossom. A good cut flower. $1.00.

Canteen: Vincent; Dec. A coming commercial variety.
Color is lizarene pink. Wonderful stem. A.D.S.
Certificate at Storrs, 1923. $2.00.

Carrie Menzel: Lee; P. Soft salmon pink with apricot
sheen. Good stem and bloomer. One of the best for
cutting, as it is good keeper. $1.00.

Centralia: Lee; Dec. Very fine flower on long, strong
stems. A splendid keeper and cut flower. Color, dark
crimson, blending lighter. $6.00.

Champagne: Bessie Boston; Dec. One of largest dahlias
grown. Color is dull golden champagne. Stem is
strong and is free bloomer. $5.00.

City of Portland: Gill; P. Color is clear, rich, deep
yellow. An ideal cut flower. Strong, vigorous plants
produce flowers freely. $1.50.

Conowingo: Vincent; C. Outside petals bronzy yellow,
shading to lemon yellow in center. One of Mr. Vin-
cent’s best. Incurved petals. $1.00.

Daddy Butler: Bessie Boston; H. C. Color is American
Beauty rose shades. Perfect stems and free bloomer.
Will keep a week when cut. $3.50.

Delice: Dec. The finest and brightest pink dahlia in
existence. One of the best known cut-flower varieties
we have. Good stems. $.35.

1

Dr. Tevis: Pelicano; Dec. A fine dahlia of salmon rose,
suffused with old gold. Has always been a prize winner
and great favorite. $.75.

Earle Williams: Doolittle; Dec. This is a new giant
flowered dahlia. Color is brilliant crimson and white.
One of the finest produced. $2.50.

El Dorado: Bessie Boston; Dec. An immense, deep
blossom of vivid gold. Good stems. One of the
premiers among dahlias. First prize, S. F., 1922. $7.50.

Emperor: Marean; Dec. One of the best in existence.
A maroon of finest type. An exceptional variety. A
prize winner of the highest merit. $3.00.

Francis Lobdell: Waite; H. C. Clear mallow pink shad-
ing to white at tips. The stems are like pieces of cane.
Fine for cutting or exhibition. $5.00.

Frau G. Scheiflf: Dec. Color is apricot, orange and yellow.
Wiry stems hold flowers above foliage. Free flowering
and fine for cutting or exhibition. $.75.

F. W. Fellows: Stredwick; C. The large orange to terra-
cotta blooms on good wiry stems make this a good
variety for cutting or exhibition. $.75.

George Walters: Carter; H. C. An immense flower of
salmon pink shading to yellow at base of petals. A
favorite variety. A prize winner. $.75.

Gladys Sherwood: Broomall; H. C. Pure white, large
flowers on very free flowering, strong stems. A prize
winner every time. $1.00.

Golden West: Broomall; H. C. The large blooms are
held erect on strong, long stems. Color is bright orange
buff. A leading cut flower. $.50.

Halvella: Dec. Color is a beautifiil shade of mallow pink
which is enlivened by a golden sheen. Stems are strong
and hold the flowers well. Fine. $3.00.

Helen Durnbaugh: Broomall; H. C. Color is soft white
shading to a glowing pink deep in the flower. Fine cut
flower variety. Beautiful. $1.00.

Hortulanus Fiet: Dec. Color lilac rose with petals shad-
ing from golden yellow at base to pale lilac at tips.
Good cut flower variety. $1.00.

Insulinde: Hornsveld; Dec. Very large orange buff over-
laid with a golden sheen. Seventh in A.D.S. list of
most popular. Good cut flower. $1.50.

Islam Patrol: Davies; H. C. A stunning red and gold
dahlia. One of the most popular dahlias exhibited at
different shows. $5.00.

Jane Selby: Dec. Color is a delicate mauve pink of im-
mense size. Fine for cutting and exhibition. Good
stems. $1.00.

Jersey’s Beauty: Waite; Dec. Awarded highest honors
whenever exhibited in strongest competition. Rated
highest of any dahlia at Experimental Gardens of A.D.S.
It is the standard by which to judge all others. The
color is a real pink, not lavender or lilac. Keeps well
when cut. $10.00. Green plants, $5.00.

J. M. Goodrich: Dec. Large flowers on long stems.
Color is a beautiful salmon pink, tipped yellow. Fine
as cut flower variety. $.50.

2

Judge Marean: Marean; Dec. One of the finest in cul-
tivation. Color is combination of salmon pink, red,
irridescent orange, yellow and pure gold. Mighty fine
exhibition variety. $2.00.

J. W. Davies: Bessie Boston; Dec. Color shades from
deep velvety cerise in center to lighter at edges. Fine
for cutting or exhibition. $3.00.

Kalif: Englehardt; H. C. Color is a pure scarlet. The
habit of this plant is all that can be desired. Splendid
for cutting. $.75.

Blitty Dunlap: Bessie Boston; Dec. Color is American
Beauty Rose. Stems are long and stiff. Excellent for
exhibition or cutting. $2.50.

Kiwanis: Vincent; H. C. Pale green yellow, deeper at
center. Free flowering, good stem. A.D.S. Certificate
of Merit, Storrs, Conn., 1923. $2.50.

La Favorita: Lohrmann; H. C. Color is brilliant orange.
Large flowers full to center. A capital cut flower as it
tones with autumn shades. $1.00.

Leora Creed: Salbach; Dec. Color is beautiful orange
pink. Because of its color, fine foliage, good stems
and splendid keeping qualities, it is always the first
choice of the cut flower trade. $3.00.

Logan’s White: Logan; Dec. The blooms are large, snow
white and perfect. Stems long and rigid and alwa3^s
full of blossoms. Good cut flower. $3.00.

Lolita Velasco: Bessie Boston; H. C. A fine white cac-
tus. Stems long and stiff so that flower always looks
at you. Will keep for days when cut. $4.00.

Madonna: Ware; Dec. Wavy petals of glistening white
borne freely on good stems. A mighty fine cut flowe r
and does not burn in the sun. $.50.

Marcella Gill: Gill; Dec. Color is a delightfully clear,
soft pink. Very perfectly formed and is second to none
in keeping qualities when cut. $1.00.

Margaret Bouchon: C. Color is clear pink shading to
white in center. Good keeper when cut. One of the
best pink and whites of its class. $.50.

Mariposa: Bessie Boston; Dec. Color is a bright 3"et
delicate pink, shading deeper at center. Heads the
list compiled at 1923 meeting of A.D.S. Show as to
the most popular, most called for and most in the public
eye. The stems are long and stiff and flowers are fine
for cutting or exhibition. $4.00. •

Mary C. Bums: Bessie Boston; Dec. Color is old gold
with reverse of petals a dull red. Large flowers and
good stem. $1.50.

Mephistopheles: Marean; Dec. Vivid scarlet on extra-
ordinarily strong stems. This is a masterpiece and one
of the premiers among dahlias. $3.00.

Millionaire: Stillman; Dec. Lavender, shading to white
toward center. Very large flowers. One of the finest
and most popular. $1.00.

Mina Burgle: Burgle; Dec. Finest brilliant scarlet on
good stems. A plant of fine habits and a profuse
bloomer. Good cut flower variety. $.35.

Mrs. Carl Salbach: Salbach; Dec. Color is lilac rose,
shading to white at base of petals. Perfect form on
long stems. Good cut flower. $1.00.

3

Mrs. Edna Spencer: Spencer; H. C. Color is an exquisite
lavender pink near the orchid shade. One of the finest
cut flower varieties. $1.00.

Mrs. Ethel F. T. Smith: Broomall; H. C. Creamy white.
Flowers are held far above foliage on stiff stems. $1.00.

Mrs. I. de Ver Warner: Marean; Dec. One of Judge
Marean’s best creations. Color is a rich rosy mauve.
Together with Mrs. Carl Salbach and Ambassador this
was voted second most popular at 1923 A. D. S. Show.
Splendid for exhibition and cutting. One of the finest.
$3.00.

Mrs. Wamaar: H. C.; Color is a creamy white overlaid
and blending to a very delicate pink. Gigantic flowers
on good stems. Good cut. $1.00.

Mrs. W. E. Estes: Estes; H. C. Snowy white with a
silvery sheen. Very large flowers on good stems. One
of the best whites. Extra fine. $1.50.

Oregon Beauty: Dec. An intense oriental red with
golden sheen. Good. $.35.

Patrick O’Mara: Vincent; Dec. Color is a soft shade of
orange buff. A. D. S. Gold Medal, 1920. One of the
best cut flower varieties. $1.00

Paul Michael: Michael; Dec. Deep orange buff, shading
to old rose on reverse. Held fifth place on A.D.S. 1923
list. Good cut flower variety. $2.00.

Perle de Lyon: H. C. A pure white with petals fringed
or nicked. $.25.

Pierrot: Stredwick; C. Deep amber blending to a golden
amber at base, usually white tipped. Flowers are
pendant and large. Keep well when cut. $.50.

Pink Perfection: P. Beautiful shade of salmon pink,
with old rose suffusion and illuminated with a lively
golden sheen. Very good. $1.00.

Polar Bear: Howard and Smith; Dec. Immense pure
white blooms on long, straight stems. The best keeping
white when cut. Free bloomer. $1.00.

Pride of California: Lohrmann; Dec. The American
Beauty dahlia. Color is a crimson red on good, stiff
stems. Fine keeper when cut. $.75.

Rookwood: Bessie Boston; Dec. Artistic flowers of a
bright cerise rose. Blooms full to center until frost.
One of Bessie Boston’s best. $3.50.

Rosa Nell: Broomall; Dec. Bright clear rose. Eighth on
A.D.S. list of most popular dahlias. Fine as a cut
flower and for exhibition. $2.00.

Rotarian: Vincent; H. C. Tyrian rose and amaranth
purple; shading to pansy purple in center. A.D.S.
Certificate of Merit at Storrs, 1923. $2.50.

Shirley Brown: H. C. Rich old gold with orange red
shadings. Valuable for cutting as well as garden
decoration. $2.00.

Shudow’s Lavender: Bessie Boston; Dec. Very large
flower of a silvery lavender, shading to white. Good
stems and keeps well when cut. A prize. $4.00.

Snowdrift: Broomall; Dec. The best white decorative to
date. Flowers perfect in form. Fine for exhibition
and as a cut flower. $1.50.

4

Souv. de Gustave Douzon: Bruant; Dec. Large flowers
of orange red. Free flowering on good stems. Keeps
well when cut. $.35.

Susan G. Tevis: Bessie Boston; Dec. Dark or deep lilac
blue on ideal stems. Large, deep flowers formed of
narrow, flat and pointed petals. $7.50.

Tango: Dec. Showy orange bronze. Lasts well when
cut. Very good. $.50.

The Lion: C. Raspberry red of good size. A large bold
flower. $.50.

U. S. A.: Stillman; H. C. Color is rich glowing orange and -
good size. A sure prize winner. A.D.S. Certificate of
Merit at Storrs, Conn., 1921. $2.00.

Venus: Marean; Dec. Creamy white with lavender
suffusion. An attractive garden variety, but one of the
best cut flowers grown. Extra fine. $2.00.

Wizard of Oz: Doolittle; Dec. Rare shade of glowing
amber with soft salmon shades. Very large. The stems
are erect and stout. $5.00.

Wm. F. Gude: Dec. Piue white fluffy petals on long
stems. Good cut. $.25.

William Slocombe: Slocombe; Dec. Largest and most
beautiful canary yellow dahlia grown. Very free
flowering. Always in demand as a cut flower. $1.50.

Wodan: C. Delicate salmon shading to old gold. A very
fine dahlia. $.50.

Wolfgang von Goethe: C. A large flower of rich apricot
with carmine shadings. A fine cut flower especially
under artificial light. $.50.

World’s Best White: Murphy; Dec. The largest and
best formed white ever developed. A sensation wher-
ever seen. Good stems and fine cut flower. $5.00.

5

GLADIOLI

The interest developed in the gladiolus during the past
few years has been tremendous, and thousands of bidbs are
now planted annually where dozens were used in the past.
Their present popularity is sure to continue to increase as
they are, without doubt, one of the most attractive and
useful of all summer flowering bulbs, and, as a cut flower,
are exceedingly fine as the spikes will last for a week or
more when cut.

Bulbs should be planted from four to six inches deep, in
rows about eighteen inches apart, and about four inches
apart in the row or may be bedded, planting six inches
apart each way. If bulbs are planted at intervals of every
ten days to two weeks, from the time that ground can be
worked until about the first of July, you will have flowers
until frost.

Flower spikes, when wanted for indoor use, should be
cut when the first flower opens. Care should be taken to
leave at least four leaves on the stalk to mature the bulb.
Each day the dead flowers should be removed and about
half an inch of the stem cut off.

After the first killing frost, bulbs should be removed
from the ground, thoroughly dried or cured, and stored in
a frost proof cellar.

Assortments. — Lots of two dozen bulbs, of my selection,
of named varieties listed herein, for $2.00, $3.00, $4.00
and $5.00.

Note. — All bulbs supplied are of No. 1 or blooming size.
One half dozen at dozen rates. Write for prices on 100
lots.

Alice Tiplady: Kunderd; Primulinus. Bright orange open
flowers, graceful stems; splendid decorative cut flower.

Each, 15c.; doz., $1.50.

America: Beautiful lavender pink. Each, 8c.; doz., $.80.

Anna Eberius: Diener. Dark velvety purple; throat
darker. Flowers large; spikes three to four feet. A
grand variety. Each, 25c.; doz., $2.50.

Baron J. Hulot: Lemoine. Dark violet blue; one of the
best of this shade. Each, 10c.; doz., $1.00.

Bertrex: Austin. Pure white with lavender hue in throat*

Each, 10c.; doz., $1.00.

Byron L. Smith: Kunderd. One of the very best. Most
refined lavender pink on white ground. Fine as cut

flower. Each, 25c.; doz., $2.50.

Carmen Sylva: Decorah. Pure snow white, throat
slightly penciled lilac. Stem tall, slender and wiry.
Fine cut. Each, 25c.; doz., $2.50.

Crimson Glow: Betscher. Brilliant crimson; large open
flower and good spike. Each, 25c. ; doz., $2.50.

E. J. Shaylor: Kunderd. A beautiful pure, deep rose
pink. Certificate of Merit by Horticultural Society of
England, 1920. Each, 20c.; doz., $2.00.

Electric: Keur. Blue streaked. Strong grower. Rare
and distinct. Each, 20c. ; doz., $2.00.

Evelyn Kirtland: Austin. Rich rosy pink, tipped red,
with lighter shade in throat; lower petals blotched with
crimson. Each, 15c.; doz., $1.50.

6

Flora: Velthuys. Clear canary yellow; large wide open
flowers. Very fine. Each, 15c.; doz., $1.50.

Gold: Hoeg. Pure golden yellow, throat a shade deeper.
Large flowers, many open at one time. A grand variety.

Each, 50c. ; doz., $5.00.

Grethen Zang: Austin. Tall spike of geranium pink,
with carmine stripes in throat. You will want ar^uls
of these. Each, 10c., doz., $1.00.

Halley. Lovely salmon pink. Early. Good forcer.

Each, 8c.; doz., 80c.

Herada: Austin. A much fancied shade of deep lilac
mauve. Each, 15c.; doz., $1.50.

Hubertus. Pale blue. One of the best blues. Each,
25c.; doz., $2.50.

Kimderdi Glory: Kunderd, Large creamy white flowers
with a crimson stripe in each petal; ruffled. Each, 10c.;
doz., $1.00.

Le Marchal Foch: Van Dusen. Apple blossom pink with
carmine center. Hugh flowers well placed on spike.
Very fine. Each, 15c.; doz., $1.50.

Lily White. An extremely fine white. Early. Each,
15c.; doz., $1.50.

L’lmmaculee. Pure white, long spike with many flowers
open at one time, very early; one of the best of the
whites. Each, 10c.; doz., $1.00.

Louise: Wright. The showiest of all gladiolus. Clear
pure lavender with a blotch of velvet red. Big flower;
free grower. Each, 25c.; doz., $2.50.

Mary Pickford: Kimderd. An extraordinary flower and
spike of most delicate creamy white. Worthy of a
great name. Each, 20c.; doz., $2.00.

Mr. Mark: Velthuys. Beautiful shade of “Harding”
blue, wine red throat with a yellow blotch. Early.
Each, 15c.; doz., $1.50.

Mrs. Dr. Norton: Kunderd. Creamy white, tipped pink,
with pale yellow throat. A very handsome flower.

Each, 15c.; doz., $1.50.

Mrs. Francis King: Coblentz. Brilliant vermillion scarlet ;
tall spikes make it a splendid and effective cut flower.

Each, 10c.; doz., $1.00.

Mrs. Frank R. Pendleton: Kimderd. A variety of ex-
treme beauty and wide popularity. Color is clear rose
with crimson blotches. Each, 10c.; doz., $1.00.

Muriel: Velthuys. Pale violet blue with purplish blue
blotch on lower petals. Fine stem. Magnificent.

Each, 25c. ; doz., $2.50.

Myrtle: Kunderd. The most beautiful pink yet intro-
duced. This stands among the elite of Kimderd 's
many productions. Ruffled. Each, 20c. ; doz., $2.00.

Niagara: Cream and canary yellow, splashed carmine.

Each, 10c.; doz., $1.00.

Orange Glory: Kunderd. Bright orange with paler
throat. An exquisite color and a splendid spike.
Ruffled. Each, 25c.; doz., $2.50.

Panama: Banning. Light rosy pink; early. Each, 8c.;
doz., 80c.

7

Peace. White with lilac feathering in throat. Good.

Each, 10c.; doz., $1.00.

Prince of Wales: Kelway. An early, large flowered
variety of a delightful salmon shade. Very popular.

Each, 10c.; doz., $1.00.

Purple Glory: Kunderd. A giant ruflied flower of reddish
purple. A wonder. Each, 50c. ; doz., $5.00.

Rev. Ewbank. One of the finest blues. Very good.

Each, 20c. ; doz., $2.00.

Rose Ash: Metzner. A gladiolus that offers a decidedly
new color. Old rose, overlaid and blended daphne
pink and daphne red. General effect what is known as
Ashes of Roses. It is easily of XXXX quality and one
of the finest grown. Each, 40c.; doz., $4.00.

Schwaben: Pfitzer. A vigorous spike, with large com-
pact flowers; color clear yellow with crimson throat.

Each, 10c.; doz., $1.00.

Souvenir: Primulinus. Beautiful rich canary yellow;
tall, graceful spike. This and Alice Tiplady two of the
best Prims. Each, 25c. ; doz., $2.50.

White Glory: Kunderd. Fine white with pale blue throat.
Very attractive spike. Fine as a delicate iris. Ruffled.
Each, 25c.; doz., $2.50.

Yellow Treasure: Austin. A rich yellow, deeper on lower
petals, no lines but a flushing of coppery old rose in
throat. Very fine. Each, 35c. ; doz., $3.50.

GANNAS

Gannas make one of the finest bedding flowers we have.
From the time they start to bloom until frost they are one
riot of color. We grow but four varieties, and these four
the best that we can find.

Four Grand Gannas that Stand Out Above All Others

King Humbert, 4 ft. This remarkable Gold Medal
Ganna has been the sensation the past ten years and is
the greatest favorite today. Scarlet flowers with bronze
foliage. Each, 25c.; doz., $2.50.

Mrs. Alfred Gonard. One of the very best Gannas in
commerce today. The large, exquisitely shaded salmon
pink flowers are produced in great abundance. We
consider this as superior to all other pink flowered
Gannas. 4 ft. Each, 25c.; doz., $2.50.

The President. This immense new flaming scarlet has
come into wider use more quickly than any other Ganna.
The color is red and the foliage is a rich green and burn
proof in the hottest weather. 4 ft. Each, 25c.; doz.,
$2.50.

Yellow King Humbert. An orchid flowering sport of the
well known King Humbert. Has the same habit of
growth as its parent. Golor is a deep rich yellow,
softly spotted and blotched with bright red. Foliage
is a very dark green. 4 ft. Each, 25c. ; doz., $2.50.

Peony list will be issued in July or August.

We have a number of perennials also. If interested,
send for list.

NAnONAL CAPITAL