Historic, archived document Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. 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