Gladiolus bulbs, delphinium seeds from Ridgewood Gardens : spring 1928 [catalog] / Ralph M. Speelmon.

Historic, Archive Document

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

Delphinium Seeds

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RIDGEWOOD GARDENS

SPRING 1928

Registration No. 956

RALPH M. SPEELMON

Telephone Garfield 6932

800 N.E. 22nd Street Portland, Oregon

MEMBER:

J^ortklvest c. Regional Qladiolus Society
Clarke County floral Society

GREETINGS:

My fourth annual catalog goes to a group of garden¬
ing friends to whom I express thanks for continued valued
patronage. Those whose names are still being added to
my list are welcomed to the circle. To all I wish a happy
year in the garden, many pleasures and no regrets — espec¬
ially because of what may be acquired from me.

I have never attempted to grow bulbs in a large way
for the wholesale trade, though some of my stocks are
quite sizeable, and am content to remain a hobbyist. Add¬
itional varieties are sought each year with as much a view
to pleasure as profit — often more so. Outstanding varie¬
ties that appeal to me, or come highly recommended by
friends whose judgment I value, find their ways to my
garden if the appeal is not too greatly outweighed by their
prices.

MY PRICES

My prices are as low as seems possibly consistent with
the acquisition cost, growing, cataloging, marketing, etc.
Most of my prices will meet the competition of alleged
wholesale growers who circulate their price sheets to all
who ask — a thing not done in any other trade that I know
of. Obviously a single bulb of low priced varieties cannot
well be sold, separately packed and labeled at the price
per 100, but where quoted by the dozen I will sell three
at the dozen rate. My rates per dozen will approximate
the prices of the growers referred to, few of whom are in
absolute agreement on prices.

ADVERTISING

Advertising in garden publications this year will be
extremely limited. I am relying chiefly on you who re¬
ceive the catalog at time of issuance and your friends
whose names you might be so kind as to send me. The
sending of names of persons actually interested in such
as I have to sell will be rewarded in the extras sent you
with your orders. Try me and see.

QUALITY and GUARANTEES

In common with the trade I make no guarantees of the
results of your planting. All my bulbs in all stages, from
planting to shipping, receive my personal handling. No
hired help to mix them. Those sold are of best quality
and pure stock. All errors as to varieties will be rectified.
Oregon grown bulbs are hard to beat. When any grower,
here or elsewhere, boasts that bulbs grown by him are the
best in the world he is — well, we will call it “just adver¬
tising.’’

TERMS

Cash with order is requested, but will hold orders for
delivery not later than March 31st for a deposit of 25%
on orders totaling $10.00 or more. All stock offered and
orders accepted subject to prior sale.

SUBSTITUTIONS

When stock of any variety is exhausted no substitutions
will be made unless you ask it. You will get the kinds you
order or your money back.

TRANSPORTATION COSTS and SHIPMENT

Bulbs sold will be sent prepaid to any address reached
by parcels post in the United States, its territories, and

Canada. Bulbs will be shipped when danger of freezing
in transit is past. They may be forwarded to Pacific
Coast points about any time. Where weight is enough to
make the cost comparable with mail costs, shipments by
express may be made with comparative safety throughout
the winter.

DISCOUNTS

At the extremely low prices quoted herein no discounts
can be offered for retail quantities.

However, to stimulate early orders an inducement is
made for orders reaching me by March 1, 192 8. On such
orders additional bulbs of your own selection will be
allowed thus:

Orders totaling $5.00, additional bulbs to the
value of $1.00. Orders in excess of $5.00, select
additional bulbs to the value of 20% — one-fifth —
of your order. Just write your selections at the bot¬
tom of your order sheet as “EXTRAS.” For early
orders less than five dollars I will add stock of my
own selection.

COLLECTIONS

Combination offers, or “collections” never appeal to
me because they include much that is not wanted, or var¬
ieties that I already have. Such offers have appeared in
my earlier catalogs but the response indicated that others
feel much as I do about them, so they are now being
omitted.

SIZES OF BULBS

Unless otherwise designated the bulbs listed are No. 1
size, measuring 1% inches or more in diameter.

A plan that is becoming increasingly popular is, when
planting any variety in quantity, to plant several sizes for
succession of bloom. Smaller size bulbs will produce
blooms later than bulbs of larger dimensions. Then, too,
the smaller bulbs being generally in their first year from
bulblet stock, will produce strong young bulbs for the next
year’s planting. The prices of bulbs of newer varieties
sometimes causes the prospective purchaser to forego the
pleasure of possessing them; in such instances it is a meas¬
ure of economy to buy smaller sizes when available.

The standard grading by measurements by diameter is
as follows:

No. 1 — 1 % in. or over. No. 2 — 1 % to 1 % inches.

No. 3 — 1 to 1% inches. No. 4 — % to 1 inch.

No. 5 — to % inch. No. 6 — Less than y> inch.

There is some fault to be found with this method of
grading because some varieties produce relatively few No.
1 bulbs — notably Bengal Tiger, Diener’s American Beauty,
Jenny Lind. Others make enormous growth, for example:
Golden Measure, Opalescent, Purple Glory. No hesitancy
should be made in the buying of smaller sizes.

No. 1 bulbs are referred to as large; No. 4 as medium;
No. 6 as small.

ORDER OF LISTING

Varieties are listed alphabetically, according to the
principal name. For example, Elizabeth Tabor is to be
found under “T”, instead of “E” as in some catalogs.

Before Ordering please read the text preceding,
especially in relation to terms, sizes, shipment, etc.

ROGUELESS GLADIOLUS BULBS

Originations fyrom Ground the 'World — Oregon Qroivn
and Oregon Quality

THE VARIETIES

Where quoted per dozen, tliree or more at the dozen rate.

SACAJAWEA (Pratt) — Indian red with a distinct
bronze overcast. Growers from Atlantic to Pacific,
and Canada to Mexico, have tried it and I have re¬
ceived much favorable comment on. it. At Port¬
land show a man pointing toward one end of the
exhibit asked “How much are the bulbs of that
one?” “Which one?” I inquired. “The prettiest one
you’ve got” — and he led me to SACAJAWEA.

Here is an apology. When offered for the first
time last year it was stated that the price of $5.00
for large bulbs would remain the same for three
years — and it seemed reasonable to expect that
growers making such limited purchases as we could
offer would respect that limitation. But I reckoned
without my “hosts.” The first list out last fall
showed a reduction to $3.50 in line with a common
practice of reducing new varieties at about that rate
each year. Of course, every other grower including
myself will meet, or has met the reduction. Now
to the point: some folks bought bulbs on the condi¬
tions stated, and it is up to me to square it. So
when shipping time rolls around I will send them
additional stock equaling what they bought, plus
bulblets, or if that is not satisfactory a 30 % cash
refund to equalize last year’s price with that of the
present. I have no idea what prices will prevail
next year, but the present season they are:

No. 1 bulbs: Each $3.50, doz. $35.00

No. 2 bulbs: Each
No. 3 bulbs: Each
No. 4 bulbs: Each
No. 5 bulbs: Each
No. 6 bulbs: Each

3.00, doz.
2.25, doz.
1.50, doz.
1.00, doz.
.75, doz.

30:00

22.50

15.00

10.00

7.50

ALBANIA (Kemp) — A fine white . Each .0 6; doz. .50

BADENIA (Pfitzer) — Light clear blue. The richest of
its color. Pew growers raise it because it does not
reproduce rapidly. The color is about the same as
Mrs. Van Konynenburg, which is taller in height —
and price . Each .75; doz. $6.00

BELL, MATTIE (Rooney) — Buff with chocolate vein-
ing . Each .25; doz. $2.00

BENGAL TIGER (Pratt) — Bright old rose, with dark¬
er markings . . . Each .07; doz. .50

BENNETT, DR. F. E. (Diener) — Brilliant orange-
scarlet, white throat stripe . Each .30; doz. $2.50

BREAK O’ DAY (Bill) — LaFrance pink. Very early.
. Each .27; doz. $2.25

Where quoted per dozen, three or more at the dozen rate.

BUNCE, ALLAN V. (Bill) — Livid orange-yellow prim.

grandiflorus . Each .30

BOTHIN, MRS. H. E. (Diener) — Ruffled geranium

pink, scarlet blotch . Each .07; doz. .50

CARDINAL PRINCE (Kund.)— Brilliant cardinal self.

. Each $1.00

CARBONE, J. A. (Diener) — Iridescent orange-salmon,

yellow throat . Each .12; doz. .85

CHALICE FLOWER (Kund.)— Ruffled creamy blush

white . Each .20

CHAMELEON (Bill)— Reddish brown, changeable . 25

CLARK, MRS. WM. E. (Fischer) — Light salmon-pink,

crimson blotch . Each .14; doz. $1.00

COLEMAN, CATHERINE (Coleman)— Large salmon,

dark red throat . Each .30

CRIMSON GLOW (Betscher)— Very large crimson.

. Each .07; doz. .45

DE POY, ADA (Salbach) — An unusual type of prim.,

apricot and bronze . Lg., .50; Med., .25; Small, .12

DIENER'S AMERICAN BEAUTY— Bright American

Beauty with creamy throat . . . Each .11; doz. .70

DOUGLAS, MRS. LEON (Diener)— Begonia-rose flak¬
ed flame and scarlet. Blooms very large; a great
exhibition type; the kind that neighbors are called
over to see.

No. 1, each .14; doz. $1.00; 100 $8.00
No. 4, each .06; doz. .50; 100 4.00
DIENER, RICHARD (Diener)— Geranium-pink, flak¬
ed rose doree, throat yellow and carmine . . .

. Each .12; doz. .80

DUCHESS OF YORK (Dames)— Tall dark purple-

blue . Each .15; doz. $1.00

ERREY, GERTRUDE (Errey) — Beautiful shell-pink

from Australia . Large, .50; Medium, .25; Small, .12

ELF (Diener) — White, lemon lip-petal. No. 1 and 2.

. . . Each .06; doz. 40

FONTAINE (Coleman) — A daintily ruffled soft creamy
pink. The kind for a bride’s bouquet. My favorite

of all the lighter shades . Each .15; doz. $1.20

FULD, MAURICE (Gage) — Huge bright pink. Showy.

. Each .50; Small, .12

FORD, HENRY (Diener) — Rhodamine purple. No

other just its color . Each .14; doz. $1.00

GOLD EAGLE (Austin) — The richest and deepest yel¬
low. Not a prim.

Large, $2.50; No. 3, $1.25; Bulblets $2.50 doz.
GLENDALE (W. B. Davis) — Dark American Beauty

red . . . Each .08; doz. .60

GIBBS, MRS. W. THURSTON (Gibbs)— Pale amar¬
anth-pink with two lively blotches of purple in the

throat. An improved Vesta Tilley . Elach .50

GLADSOME (Suttle) — Primulinus grandiflorus. Two
shades of light yellow, lower petals very pale creamy

white. Like a bi-color daffodil . Each .50

GLORIANA (Betscher) — The most beautiful shade of
salmon that I have seen. Cupped blooms.

Large, $1.00; Medium, .50; Small, .25.

Where quoted per dozen, three or more at the dozen rate.

GOLDEN MEASURE (Kelway) — The old favorite light
yellow that hybridizers are trying to equal or beat
with a deeper color . Each .08; doz. .50

HARBINGER (Sanford) — Don’t know the technical
color. To me it is a delightful burnt-orange, large
florets, medium height. An attraction at the Van¬
couver, Wash., show, but bloomed a day too late for
the regional show at Portland. Prim, grandiflorus.
. Each $2.50

HEAVENLY BLUE (Pfitzer)— Aniline blue, long spike.
This variety, shown by Mr. Rooney, took the sweep-
stakes ribbon at Vancouver.

No. 1, $15.00; No. 3, $10.00

HUNT, A. W. (Christy) — Quite large flowers of ver-
million-scarlet . Each .10; doz. .70

KIRTLAND, EVELYN (Austin)— A fine pink for cut¬
ting that everyone can buy in cutting quantities.
. Each .08; doz. .60; 100 $5.00

KUNDERD, MARIE (Kunderd) — A fine ruffled white.
. Each .10; doz. .75

KYLE, FERN (Kunderd) — Excellent creamy white,
ruffled . Each .12; doz. $1.00

KENT, "WM. (Diener) — Intensely ruffled, ivory-yellow,
edges tinged rose-pink. Considered Diener’s best.
. No. 1, .50; No. 3, .30

KILLION, MRS. M. J. (Kiny on)— Large lilywhite,
waxy blooms, faintly overcast with an opalescent
tinge as from a prism. An attraction at the Port¬
land show. I was harshly criticized for not enter¬
ing it in competition by those who thought it was
quite equal to the winner of first place at the Port¬
land show. Stock limited . Each $2.0 0

KING OF THE BLUES (Europe) — Royal purple or
indigo. Small but attractive cupped blooms.

Large, .25; doz., $2.00; Medium, .12; doz. $1.00
KUNDERD’S YELLOW WONDER — Tall buttercup-

yellow. Lighter than Gold Eagle . Each $3.00

LADY ALICE (Barber) — Ruffled orange-saffron. The
“grown-up Alice Tiplady’’ but not a prim. One of

my favorites . No. 1, $2.00; No. 3, $1.50; No. 5, $1.00

LIND, JENNIE (Hoeg) — A compact spike of coral-

pink with creamy throat .

. Each, .10; doz., .75; 100, $7.00

LOS ANGELES (Houdyshel) — Light pink with car¬
mine throat markings. Has tendency to send up
new spikes after the first are cut. ...Each .14; doz. $1.00
MISS MADISON (Boynton) — Clear light pink blooms,

good texture and large . Each .15; doz. $1.20

MINUET (Coleman) — Beautiful lavender. Many large
blooms open at once. This variety took all three

ribbons in its color class at the Portland show .

. No. 1, $2.75; No. 3, $2.00; Bulblets, $1.50 doz.

MOODY, DR. (Kinyon) — A rival of Minuet and almost
the identical color, but said to have more vigor and
productiveness. Won prizes over Minuet in some
eastern shows.. ..No. 1, $10.00; No. 2, $8.50; No. 3, $7.00

SUPPLEMENT TO 1928 CATALOG

PRIDE OF OREGON (Damon) — A new
gladiolus worthy of the name. The orig¬
inator offered to surrender the name to
anyone producing a better Glad, before
offering for sale; the privilege was not
claimed. The first description I heard
for it was, “It’s just DAZZLING,” and it
fits. Color: Iridescent orange-pink.
About a dozen large flowers open at
once; keeping quality unexcelled. Twen¬
ty-five spikes left with a Portland florist
last spring were sold almost immediately.
It is extremely early, hence not entered
in the Portland show last summer. The
prices: Each, liberal grading:

Large $10.00; medium $5.00; small $2.50.
Bulblets: Each, $1.50; 4 for $5.00.
SUNNYMEDE (Fischer) Light orange-
yellow, red blotch.

Each 20c; doz. $1.50. Med. 12c; doz. $1.00
Correction:

SCARLET BEDDER Inadvertently quoted
at 15c. The price each is $1.50.

RALPH M. SPEELMON
800 N. E. 22nd St. Portland, Oregon

LIBRARY

Where quoted per dozen, three or more at the dozen rate.

MURIEL (Pfitzer) — Heliotrope, violet throat blotches.
Sometimes called a “light blue” — I can’t see it.
Anyway it is good . Each .08; doz. .50

ORANGE WONDER (Kemp) — Rich orange self color.
New last year. A Golden Measure hybrid with
much of the parent’s qualities. Limited . Each $5.00

PETERS, MRS. P. C. (Fischer) — Amaranth-pink with
purplish throat blotch. Variously called “orchid”
and “lavender.” . No. 2, .10; doz. .60

PHAENOMEN (Pfitzer) — A beautiful combination of
the softest pink and finest yellow. All fall in love

with it . Large, .75; Medium, .38; Small, .20

Three of any size at 2 y2 times the single price.

PHIPPS, W. H. (Diener) — LaFrance pink overlaid sal¬
mon-rose . Each .30; doz. $2.75

PHIPPS, HELEN (Phipps) — An improved W. H.
Phipps. Almost the identical color. Substance and

habit better . . .

. No. 1, $5.00; No. 3, $3.00; Bulblets, $4.50 doz.

PFITZER, MRS. GERTRUDE— Not released by F. H. B.

PFITZER, PAUL (Pfitzer) — Rich reddish royal pur¬
ple, or “iris-violet.” Limited . Each $1.00

PURPLE GLORY (Kunderd) — Ruffled rich velvety

maroon, or Tyrian-Rose . Each .12; doz. .85

RED FIRE (Kunderd) — Orange scarlet. Color like

Dr. Bennett but slenderer growth. Very good .

. Each .10; doz. .75

SCARLET BEDDER (Salbach) — A fine new prim. .Each .15

SCARLET PRINCEPS (K)— Large scarlet self .

. Each .07; doz. .60; 100 $5.00

SCARLET WONDER (Co wee) — The largest scarlet .

. Each .12; doz. .85

SHIELA’S SISTER (Coleman) — Large early salmon.

. . . . . Each .07; doz. 60

SULPHUR FRILLS (K) — Intensely ruffled light sul¬
phur . . . . Each .15; doz. $1.20

No. 3 and 4: Each .08; doz. .60
SUNSET GLOW (Gibbs) — Very, very early scarlet-

orange prim, with yellow throat — the colors of a
sunset. Plant them in several sizes and liberal
quantities for succession of bloom, and a bed of
them will not disappoint you.

Large .12; doz., $1.00; 100 $6.00

- No. 3 .09; doz., .75; 100 4.50

No. 4 .07; doz., .65; 100 4.00

SUPBRBA (Coleman) — Carmine-scarlet. Very early.

. Each .20; doz. $1.80

VAN KONYNENBURG, MRS. (Pfitzer )— Rich aniline
blue. An improved Badenia....No. 1, $5.00; No. 3, $2.50
VICTOR (Errey) — Brilliant scarlet, large white blotch.

. Large, $2.00; Medium, $1.25; Small, .90

VEILCHENBLAU (Pfitzer) — Large violet-blue.

Each: Large, $2.00; Medium, $1.25; Small, .90

Three: Large, $5.00; Medium, $3.00; Small, $2.2 5

WILLIAMSON, E. B. (Kunderd) — Mallow purple prim.
. Each .12; doz. $1.00

OTHER VARIETIES

Have very small quantities of the following varieties

at prices each as listed:

BECK, RITA (F) — LaFrance Pink . No. 1 and 2, $3.00

BON ECHO (Bonsteel) — Tall cream . No. 3 .40

CLEOPATRA (Bill) — Metallic yelow . No. 1 $1.00

GENESSEE (J. C. D.) — Light cream buff . No. 1 .15

IDAMAE (Salbach) — Large ivory white . No. 1 .12

LAVENDER BRIDE — Deep blotched lavender..No. 1 .25

LACINATUS (K)— Lacinated rose . ...No. 1 $1.00

NANCY HANKS (S)— Orange pink, beauty . No. 1 .50

OSALIN (S) — Coral-pink . No. 1 .50

ORANGE FLAME(K) — Like Dr. Bennett . No. 1 .20

ORANGE PRINCE (Vos)— Orange prim . No. 1 .12

ROSE MIST (F)— Soft rose . No. 1 .50

ROSALIND (K)— Ruffled dark red . No. 1 .50

STARBRIGHT (B)— Yellow; red stripe . ..No. 1 $1.00

SARABAND (S) — Dusky plum-purple . No. 1 $1.00

STAR OF THE SEA (Ellis)— Peach red . No. 1 $7.50

TROUP, PROF. JAS. — Eosine pink prim . No. 3 .50

THE ORCHID (Spr) — Orchid pink . No. 1 $2.50

THE ORCHID (Spr) — Orchid pink . No. 2 $2.00

DELPHINIUM SEEDS

From choice Wrexham plants. Not a scrub in the
garden, so no chance for inferior pollen. Start them in
flat, placed in a cold shady place. Transfer to green¬
house — hotbed or cold frame for slower germination — set
out when about 2 or 3 inches high.

Pkt., over 100 seeds, $1.00

Join the American Gladiolus Society. The Review (a
fine magazine issued monthly) is easily worth the mem¬
bership fee of $2, in fact some single issues are worth
that much. Tear off and mail this coupon to the Secretary
with your remittance.

I hereby apply for membership in the American
Gladiolus Society, enclosing $2 for 1928 dues, $1 of which
is for subscription to the “Review.”

Name .

Street and No. .

City . State . . .

Mail this coupon and $2 to
ROSCOE A. HUFF, Secy., Goshen, Ind.

Credit for this application goes to Ralph M. Speelmon,
800 N. E. 22nd St., Portland, Ore.

BAILEY