We have good news for you. In spite of rising production costs we have been able to lower, or at least maintain, many of the prices of the dahlias offered in this, our 1948 catalog. 

Again we have enjoyed a wonderful tuber crop. The introduction of much needed mechanical equipment has cut labor costs. 

These factors combine to make our production and handling cost per tuber less, and we are happy to be able to share this reduction in cost with you.

These are exceptionally small. The single daisy-like flowers, some varieties of which are three-quarters of an inch in diameter, and none of which are over 1-¼ inches across, have sturdy stems at least 6 inches long. 

The colors are in selfs and two tones in a range through the yellows, pinks and reds and are very clear and sparkling. The plants are compact, growing from 1 to 2 feet in height—wonderful for borders or low massing. The little bushes are literally covered with bloom from early summer until frost. 

These charming new type dahlias will be on the market in 1949 or 1950. They are being developed by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cowan, and Dr. Hal L. Smith of Floristan Gardens.

We planted a hedge of RED KNIGHT in our home garden which drew ‘’Ohs” and “Ahs” of admiration from all beholders for its dramatic, heavily flowered beauty.

The foliage is exceedingly large, leathery and dense. The stems are huge and long. The bush is sturdy and produces a constant crop of bloom and a good crop of tubers. $10.00

PINWHEEL

There is a feeling of swirling action to this fascinating cactus dahlia. The exceedingly long, very slender petals are seemingly sprayed out from the especially high center.

Color seems to flow swiftly, too, from the rich yellow of the center petals which suffuses into a flame-like rosy orange in the outer rows. Even cut flowers in arrangements, standing where they are motionless, seem to be, by optical illusion, like pinwheels —exquisite balls of colored fire.

The blooms do not seem to be as large as they actually are, yet they grow to 8 inches across by 5 inches deep. The stems, like all FLORISTAN GARDENS stems, are sturdy and long. The foliage is a deep, rich green and is heavy on the 4-foot-high bush. A hardy, wonderful, good keeping flower and a beautiful garden specimen type. Tubers $10.00

FLORISTAN’S SNOW BRIDE

Here is a huge formal decorative that will be difficult to describe in other than superlatives. The white is absolutely pure, clear, sparkling, spotless, unsullied by the slightest hint of color. An exquisite silver sheen overlays each petal. 

Yet it is the toughest, most rugged flower we have ever seen. The white purity of the bloom remains untouched or marred after the heaviest of rains, the chilliest of nights, the hottest of noonday suns. Nothing seems to hurt it or spoil its fragile looking beauty. 

The unusual madrona green foliage is very dense and heavy, although the individual leaves are not large. The stems, even by FLORISTAN GARDENS standards, are exceptionally long and heavy. The bloom is easily grown to 10 inches, the bush to 5 feet. 

Here’s the peer of them all for garden beauty and use in church, hall, altar work and for wedding arrangements, or formal, large tubers. $10.00

CHARLOTTE HOWITT

This full sister to our famous BOBBE DEANE is not a BOBBE DEANE type but has all this wonderful dahlia’s grace, good keeping qualities, habits, and placement of flowers. 

The color is a pink, deeper in tone than La France, in the petal reverse, and a pinky tan and rich yellow blend on the petal face. Golden petalets, like a small child’s ringlets, curl around the neat, tight center. The blooms are two-thirds as deep as wide, growing to 6 inches across and 4 deep. 

The rather small leaves are leathery but not dense on the 5-foot bush. The soft, glowing color, good form, and stout stems, make this formal decorative a coming favorite as a cut flower. Holds up in shipping. Tubers $5.00

Some favorite dahlias are not listed in our catalog this year but we hope to bring them out of temporary retirement next year. Frankly, they were too popular and we oversold our stock and must rebuild it. 

Of the large dahlias two 10-inch formal decoratives, AUDREY and NEVA AIREY HARRIS, and of the miniatures, BESSIE BLAKE, mentioned elsewhere, BOB HARRIS, EVELYN and HELEN HERRICK MALSED lead the list of temporary absentees. 

You may miss other favorites. But they'll be back. FLORISTAN GARDENS does not list any dahlia it expects to drop after a year or so. Dahlias listed in our catalog are worth growing and offering to the public year after year.