Historic, archived document Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. X* :.x. ' » TULIPS PEONIES ❖ NARCISSI ANNUAL CATALOG Autumn 1938 — Spring and Summer 1939 ORONOGO FLOWER GARDENS CARTE R V I L L E, MO. BENJAMIN C. AUTEN Terms: Cash with order. No charge for packing. Goods offered subject to previous sale. All prices include delivery by mail or express, except as noted. Bulbs shipped on receipt of order, plants in regular routine of digging and shipping. Bulbs and plants usually not shipped together, nor at the same time. No guarantee goes with my bulbs or plants, as I have no control of them or of their conditions after they leave my hands; but I take extreme pains to have them true to name, and it is on them I depend for future business. My own growing only. This catalogue lists my en¬ tire line. I do not issue a separate spring list. Order early and plant early, while the bulbs are still fresh and solid. Every plant and bulb in this catalogue is for out¬ door planting before winter, but some of the varieties are adapted also to indoor growing. Though outdoor planting can be done at any time until winter closes down, the ideal time is just when the summer heat and drouth are broken. Potting in soil for indoors should be done as soon as the weather is cool enough that the potted bulbs can have a storage temperature of 50 de¬ grees or lower. The starting of bulbs in water may be delayed another month. Any soil that is right for potatoes and onions is right for anything in this catalogue. N. B.— Missouri customers will please add two pe*; cent to the amount of the order, on account of the state \ THE FORCING OF BULBS The varieties of narcissi marked “F” and “FF” are easily brought to bloom in the house in winter. For success, a certain rou¬ tine is absolutely necessary. After potting or other method of planting, the bulbs must be put where dark and very cool, the colder the better, so they do not freeze, and kept faithfully watered, for as much as two months, unless they make determined growth sooner. When the buds are above ground, or the two months are up, the bulbs can be brought to warmth and light to complete their growth. Do not get them too warm, or the buds will blast, and do not let them stand in strong sun. For potting, use good garden soil, adding a little sand or finely ground limestone and a very little powdered charcoal, if available. For growing in water, bulb fiber, pebbles, or dyed shell fragments are sometimes used. Better than any of these is charcoal grit, hen size, obtainable at any poultry-supply store. The dish pref¬ erably should be of glass, three inches or more deep. Fill the dish with the charcoal to an inch or half -inch from the top, add water until the charcoal is floated a half-inch from the bottom, and stir the charcoal and water until the charcoal floats freely, adding more water if necessary. Water may be added at any time until the charcoal is full to the top, but need not be added so long as there is still free water standing in the charcoal at the bottom, or the charcoal is moist to the top. Bulbs of hyacinths, narcissi, etc., grown indoors for winter blooming, should be kept growing until the leaves die down, then set in the ground outdoors, where they can remain at least a year un¬ disturbed. OUTDOOR GROWING Tulip and Narcissus bulbs should be planted about three inches deep to the shoulders of the bulbs as soon as possible after summer heat and drouth are broken, must remain in the ground over winter and should not be disturbed until the leaves have turned yellow in early summer. This is the correct time to dig them. Narcissi prefer to be left in the ground several years. Tulips are better dug every year, though they may be let go an extra year if small when planted. Plant about six inches apart. Bulbs should not be allowed to lie in the sun when dug, nor when planting, nor at any other time. They should be stored cool, dark, and well ventilated. Do not use manure in the soil in planting bulbs or any fleshy- rooted plant. Spread it on top of the ground after planting is done. NARCISSUS BULBS Furnished in the fall only. Please notice the formula after each name: Y is for yellow, W for white, and B for bicolor, yellow or red center and white wings. The numbers 1 to 6 tell the season of bloom. F means that a variety is good for forcing, FF that it is very good. RG means that a variety is low growing, and therefore suitable for the rock garden. Coming, as it does, at the opening of spring, no flower is more welcome, or better loved, than the narcissus, known also by the pet name of daffodil. No flower is more expressive in form, nor has any other flower so many characteristic forms. The colors are yel¬ low, white, and yellow and white, with often added pink or red suffus¬ ing and edging the cup. There are several types, each having its own forms and fragrance. For indoor growing use only “F” and “FF” varieties. 6 at dozen rate. 25 at 100 rate, except as otherwise quoted. Ajax Type These are the giants of the narcissus race, the ones with the large full-length trumpets. W. P. Milner, however, though of the same form, is very small. Goldfinch. Y2FF. Deep yellow, almost orange, very flaring, heavily frilled, and very hardy. 7c, 12 for 70c, 100 for $5.20. King Alfred. Y2FF. One of the finest. 8c. Lord Roberts. Y2. Light yellow. “Dog eared.” 10c. Monarch. Y3FF. Form and size of Emperor, but better. 10c. Olympia. Y3FF. Massive flower, wide open cup. 8c. W. P. Milner. W2FRG. Exquisite when forced. 8c, 12 for 80c. Incomparabilis Type Instead of the large trumpets, these have large cups or discs, and mostly are fairly large flowers. These, and those of the two following types, are sometimes spoken of as “snub noses.” Bernardino. W4. Large flower, cup stained orange. 7c, 6 for 35c. Croesus. Y4FF. Cup flat. An aristocrat. 8c, 6 for 40c. Gloria Mundi. Y3FF. Very rich color. 7c, 12 for 70c. Jester. Y3. Creamy yellow, tinted cup. 10c, 6 for 50c. Leonie. Y3FF. Light yellow, tall and outstanding. 6c, 12 for 60c, 25 for $1.10. Lucifer. W4FF. Cup slender, with red edge. 7c, 6 for 35c. Doubles. Primrose-yellow, several kinds, none of them green. 6c, 12 for 60c, 100 for $4.00. Orange Phoenix. B2F. Double. White and orange. 7c, 6 for 35c. Sir Watkin. Y2FF. “The Welsh Giant.” 7c, 6 for 35c. Torch. Y3FF. Large flower, cup stained with red. 7c, 6 for 35c. Barrii Type Of these the cups or discs are smaller than those of the preced¬ ing type, and the flowers in general are smaller, though of some varieties the flowers are large. Some of the daintiest are of this type. Firebrand. W3F. A brilliant little flower, tall, with cup deep red. 5c, 6 for 24c, 12 for 45c, 25 for 80c, 100 for $3.00. Glitter. Y5RG. Old-gold yellow. 7c, 12 for 70c. Greenheart. W6. Spidery in form, twin-flowered. 7c, 6 for 35c. Red Beacon. W4RG. Cup flat, brilliantly edged red. 6c, 12 for 60c, 25 for $1.10. Leedsii Type _ Canary Eye. W4. Large flower, crepe-white, twisted petals, small greenish eye, stem very tall and strong. 6c, 12 for 60c, 166 for $4.00. , • , . Sirdar. W3FF. A superb flower. 10c, 6 for 50c. ; , Tiny White. W4RG. Brilliant and dainty, ,7c, 12 for 70c. ... Poeticus Type . : r Alba Plena Odorata. W6. Double, the “Gardenia- flowered,” .5c, 12 for 48c, 25 for 90c, 100 for $3.00, 250 for $6.60. Cassandra. W5FF. A noble flower. Of: purest, white.. 7c, 12 for 70c, 100 for $4.80. . .... • . K Jonquil Hybrids ... The true jonquil is one of the smallest plants of the narcissus family, with leaves like the first leaves of a seed onion. The bios-: soms come one to three on a round, slender, five-inch stem, are of the richest golden color, and have a powerful fragrance like that of the may apple, or of a black-locust tree in full bloom. Its hybrids are characteristic, the foliage slender, the flowers strong in the jon¬ quil color and fragrance. Also they are of heavy substance, and last a long time both on the plant and as cut flowers. All these varieties are deep yellow, and have good length of stem for cutting. .All FF unless the double Campernelle and Tullus Hostilius. ' Buttercup. Large. Trumpet straight. 7c, 12 for 70c, 100^ for $5.20, 250 for $11.50. V . ' ■ Buttercup. Second size. 12 for 55c, 100 for $4.00, 250 for $9.00. Campernelle. Petals long. Cup with scalloped edge. 5c, 12 for 50c, 100 for $3.20, 250 for $7.20. V, ' V'.,... Campernelle. Double. 6c, 6 for 30c. Campernelle, Giganteus. 6c. ?• . ur Campernelle, Rugulosus Maximus. 6c. •< Golden Sceptre. Cup elegantly bell shaped. Profuse bloomer. 7c, 12 for 70c, 100 for $5.00, 250 for $11.00. Lady Hillingdon. The largest and earliest. Usually two or three on a stem. 16c, 12 for $1.60. - ....... .. . ...... Tullus Hostilius. Late. Bunch-flowered,. 6c, 6 for 30c. Type and Variety Unknown “Yellow Biflorus.” One or two small flowers on a tall stem, light yellow, and strangely fragrant. 8c, 12 for 80c, 25 for $1.40. Mixture. Through twenty years of buying and testing, more va¬ rieties accumulate than can be grown and handled each kind to itself, but to grow them in mixture is easy and much less expensive. Con¬ trary to what seems to be a common impression, varieties grown in mixture do not deteriorate, but they and their progeny remain to the end of time the same as they were originally. This mixture in¬ cludes all the common types, and varieties that are giving flowers from the beginning to the close of the season. Also from it any undesirables have been carefully rogued out. Flowers in quantity and variety throughout the season this mixture can give at a mini¬ mum of cost. f - 1 ' j Lljl I " Mixture. Large bulbs. 12 for 60c, 25 for $1.00, 100 for $3.60. Mixture. Medium bulbs. 12 for 35c, 40 for $1.00, 100 for $2.00, 250 for $4.50. , , , Mixture Alba PI. Od., Oriflamme, and W. P. Milner are preferably to be planted a little deep, where cool, moist and shady. Just as a child has daintiness, grace and charm that a prize fight¬ er lacks, so the modest types of narcissi have an appeal that the stunning monsters do not have. Any variety in this list you do not already have is worth buying at its price just to have it. Each has individual charm and character, and your collection will be more interesting for having it included. TULIP BULBS Furnished in the fall only. All late flowering, and all for outdoor growing only. Every variety in this list is of the highest quality, with good stems for cutting, and of a color which does not suffer as the flow¬ er ages, nor in indoor or artificial light. In any representative tulip planting, it is the darkest flowers that contribute most to the bril¬ liancy of the display, and the blues to its most exquisite beauty. Cottage Type Bouton d’Or. Deep golden yellow. 5c, 3 for 12c, 6 for 20c. Fulgens. Darkest pure red, with clear yellow center. Lily flow¬ ered. Early. 5c, 3 for 12c, 12 for 40c, 25 for 80c, 100 for $3.00, Themis. Brilliant pure white. 6c, 3 for 15c. W. T. Ware. Deepest yellow, nearly orange, and of the highest quality. Very late. 5c, 3 for 12c, 12 for 40c, 25 for 80c. Breeder Type Jaune d’Oeuf. ‘‘Egg-yellow,” flushed purple. 5c, 3 for 12c. Prince of Orange. Rich orange. 6c, 3 for 15c. Yellow Perfection. Old-gold bronze. Blends perfectly with the Darwins. 5c, 3 for 12c. Darwin Type Aphrodite. Pink. 6c, 3 for 15c. Clara Butt. Pink. 5c. Dal Ongaro. Light gray-blue. 6c, 3 for 15c. Elephant. Dark slaty blue, large and tall. 6c, 3 for 15c, 12 for 48c. Farncombe Sanders. The loveliest of red tulips. Exquisite both in form and in color. 5c, 3 for 12c, 12 for 40c, 25 for 80c, 100 for $3.00. Giant. Richest dark purple. Early, 6c, 3 for 15c, 12 for 48c, 25 for 90c. Jubilee. Richest dark purple. Late. 6c, 3 for 15c, 12 for 48c. Kate Greenaway. Heliotrope-white. 5c, 3 for 12c. King George V. Red. Superb in every way. 6c. La Tristesse. “Sorrow.” Brilliant ash-blue. 5c, 3 for 12c, 12 for 40c, 25 for 80c. Moralis. Blackish purple. Center white. 6c, 3 for 15c. Rev. Ewbank. Heliotrope. Early. Very tall. 5c, 3 for 12c, 12 for 40c, 25 for 80c. The Bishop. Pure violet. Massive. 6c. Darwin Mixture. This mixture includes Bartigon, Painted Lady, Princess Elizabeth, and a dozen others their equals or superiors, and colors different from those of the named list. 3 for 12c, 12 for 40c, 25 for 80c, 100 for $3.00. Do not let tulips go to seed unless you wish the seed for plant¬ ing. The bearing of seed exhausts the bulb. The flower should be taken off before it shatters. BEARDED IRISES Furnished in fall, spring or summer. These should be planted shallow, in a dry, well-drained location in full sun. They are lime lovers. All dead leaves and stems should be gathered and burned before winter. White. Fairy, La Neige, Innocenza, Taj Mahal, Fbw Seedling. Plicata. Gazelle, Parisiana, Pocahontas. Yellow: Shekinah, Pfauenauge, Romeo. Blue: Gaudichau, Lord of June, Pallida Dalmatica. Lohengrin, Esplendido, Clio, Ciengialti, Violacea Grandiflora, Bj Seedling, Tene- brae. Pink: Aurora, Queen of May, Roseway. Purple: Pumila, Kochii, Ds Seedling. Blend: Eldorado, Quaker Lady, Valery Mayet, Va Seedling, Gp Unknown. Bicolor: Ambassadeur, Mary Williamson, Marsh Marigold. Blue and Purple. Early Dark Blue, Alcazar, Canopus, Khedive, Lambourne, Lent A. Williamson, Majestic, Fbp Seedling, Prospero. 10c per plant, 3 or more of any one kind at 8c. Mixture: 15 varieties, my selection, $3.00 for 100, $2.00 for each additional 100 in the same shipment. BEARDLESS IRISES Furnished in fall or spring. These thrive in any good garden. Perry’s Blue. Tall strong plant, with clear light-blue flowers. Distinction. “The Sapphire Jewel of the Siberian’s.” Blue, with white reticulations, the combined effect being a little darker than of the preceding. Plant and flower very slender and very stately. Emperor. A very large kind, tall and strong, the flower a very dark blue-purple. Any of the above Siberians, 15c. 1 each of the 3, 40c, 3 or more of a kind at 10c. Ochroleuca. Spuria type, very handsome, and coming very late. White, with yellow blotch. 15c, 3 or more at 12c, 10 or more at 10c. Monspur. Like the above, but deep blue. Superb. 25c, 3 for 65c. Foliosa. A wild swamp iris, blue. 15c. MISCELLANEOUS Plants furnished in fall or spring, seeds at any time. Hemerocallis, Queen of May. Deep rich yellow, verging on orange, the petals long and graceful. In bloom for about a month in early summer. A few stems of it arranged in a bouquet of del¬ phiniums give a brilliant effect. 20c, 3 for 50c, 5 or more at 15c. This is the only hemerocallis I have, but it is a good one. Verbena. A wild prairie flower, perennial, in bloom from early spring until winter. Pink, and exquisitely fragrant. Fine for the rock garden, as its feathery foliage hugs the ground. 15c. Yucca. A stately ornamental plant, with tall tree-shaped spike of milk-white flowers. 25c. Allium Scorodoprasum. Lavender-blue flower-ball on four-foot stem. The bulb is used in cooking by the French Canadians. Plant as late as possible. 10c, 3 for 25c. Hardy Cactus. This plant is a solid heavy cushion of closely- packed branched heads, nearly as large as a half-bushel basket. This summer it had more than 100 little blossoms at one time. Can also be grown indoors. Divisions, 15c each, 4 for 50c. Verbena. Seed of the plant already described. Packet, 10c. Oenothera (?). Another beautiful wild flower, annual, carrying dainty yellow or white flowers on slender stalks three feet high. Packet: Yellow, 10c; white, 10c. 1 each of the 3 packets, 25c. PEONIES Furnished in the fall only. Plants should be set as soon as received, placing so that the buds will be about two inches below the leveled surface of the soil when planting is completed. The roots must be kept moist until planted. Plants set out very late should be mulched. In the open field or garden, like com and potatoes, and with the same kind of care, peonies thrive rampantly. To be avoided are elms, maples, poplars, soggy ground, and manure or other litter in the soil. Alma. Jap. Light creamy pink. 50c. Aureolin. Jap. Pale pink, cream center. None daintier. 60c. Mikado. Jap. Red, with yellow cushion in center. 40c, 3 or more at 30c. Le Jour. Single. Pure white. 50c. Light Pink. Single. Like an enormous poppy. 50c. Pink. Single. Like a large wild rose. 40c, 3 or more at 30c. Vera. Single. Rich deep red. 60c. Darkness. Single. Black-red. 40c. Bertrade. Large incurved white flower. 50c. E. J. Shaylor. Dark rose-pink. 50c. Enchantment. Large. Old-rose. 40c. Florence MacBeth. Very large, very late, light pink. $1.00. Ginette. Pale pink, with crimson markings. 40c. Humoresque. Broad flower, light pink, with markings of red. 50e. . Jessie Shaylor. Blush-white. 60c. La France. Rich opalescent pink. Enormous flower. 40c. Longfellow. One of the finest of red peonies. 50c. Lora Dexheimer. Another beautiful red peony. 40c. Loveliness. Pale flesh-pink, very dainty. Very late. 50c. Luetta Pfeiffer. Very pale pink. 50c. Marie Jacquin. Single to semi-double. Tinted white. 40c. Mary Brand. Dark crimson. 50c. Milton Hill. Light shell-pink. 40c. Minnie Shaylor. Style of Marie Jacquin, but heavier. 50c. Mme. Gaudichau. Blackish crimson. 50c. Mons. Martin Cahuzac. Brilliant black-red. Very beautiful. 60c, 30 or more at 50c. Officinalis Rubra. Brilliant red. Very early. 40c. Primevere. A beautiful yellow. 60c. Richard Carvel. Bright crimson. Very early. 40c. Schuerin Pink. Beautiful salmon-pink. 50c. Solange. Cream-white, with faint coffee shade. Late. 60c, 3 or more at 50c. Souvenir de Louis Bigot. Rose pink. 50c. Therese. Beautiful violet-rose. Early. Always blooms. 50c, 3 or more at 40c. Tourangelle. Pale cream pink. Most exquisite. 40c. Winnifred Domme. Rich red. Small. 40c. W. J. Turner. Blackish crimson. Tail. 40c. The following varieties are at 30c for 1 of a kind, or 20c each for 5 or more of one kind. 1 each of 5 or more kinds, my selection of varieties, all different, all labeled, at 25c each. White: Albatre, Baroness Schroeder, Duchesse de Nemours, Fes- tiva Maxima, La Rosiere, Mme. de Verneville, Solfatare. Pale Pink: Eugenie Verdier, Humei Carnea, La Tulipe, Marcelle Dessert, Mme. Calot, Mme. Emile Galle, Octavie Demay, Pasteur. Pink: Elwood Pleas, Gloire de Charles Gombault, Germaine Bigot, Marguerite Gerard, Marie Crousse, Mile. Leonie Calot, Mme. August Dessert, Mme. de Vatry, Modele de Perfection, Mons. Jules Elie, Queen Emma, Reine Hortense, Sarah Bernhardt. Dark Pink: Constant Devred, Delicatissima, -Edttli& JSiiperba, Fragrans, Hollis Blue, Mme. Forel, Modeste Guerin. Red: Augustin d’Hour, Eugene Bigot, Felix Crousse, Grover Cleveland, Karl Rosenfield, L'Eclatante, Meissonier, Pierre Dessert. i' Do not despise this 30c list. Some of the world's finest are in it. Plants require immediate and careful attention. If you can not use this catalogue, please hand it to some flower- loving friend.