The Dahlias of Henrietta Maria Stout (1922)

This article is adapted from a dahlia catalog published in 1922 by Alt F. Clark of Netcong, New Jersey titled “Abridged Dictionary of the Dahlia: Describing Novelties and Standard varieties of the various classes and colors, with Prices and Culture Information.”

In his catalog, Clark included an entry titled “Announcing the Offering For Sale of the Dahlias, Originated by Mrs. Charles H. Stout”. This referred to the noted dahlia grower and hybridizer whose full name was Henrietta Marie Schroeder Stout. She wrote a book, published in 1922, called “The Amateur’s Book of the Dahlia” which will be offered soon here at the Historic Dahlia Archives.

In order to give Henrietta the credit she is due, and to make the list of her dahlia hybrids more easily found online, I have split off Clark’s list of Henrietta’s dahlia into this, a separate article. When her book goes up on the Archive, I will link that and this list of her dahlias to one another.

Announcing the Offering For Sale of the Dahlias, Originated by Mrs. Charles H. Stout of Short Hills, New Jersey.

By a recent arrangement I become the grower, exhibitor and distributor of all the dahlias originated by Mrs. Charles H. Stout.

Mrs. Stout has had remarkable success with dahlias — she has, for ten or twelve years, been studying, hybridizing and testing them. During that time she has been — and will continue to be — an amateur.

Because of the persistent and ever-increasing demand, she consented to permit them to be offered for sale — with the distinct understanding that her entire proceeds be devoted to charity, thus preserving unquestioned her amateur standing. 

She has been very jealous of this rating and always hesitated to sell any of her dahlias. She raises dahlias for pleasure only — with no thought of profit. Through the present arrangement Mrs. Stout continues her experiments without disturbing commercial features.

Of the many varieties created by Mrs. Stout, she has destroyed all but a few. The following list, then, contains only such sorts as are different or superior in color, form and habit to older varieties. Through earnest and constant effort for improvement and development Mrs. Stout’s dahlias have come to be known for their exquisite daintiness, unusual forms and colors.

These superb varieties were produced only by careful discrimination and almost endless testing. As dahlias go toward perfection they go toward beauty. 

The professional is inclined to sell a new variety even though he knows it is not quite as fine as could be produced. His investment of time and money is such that he feels they must be converted into cash. 

No such motives actuated Mrs. Stout — her only goal was perfection. She has several promising varieties under observation, but it can be depended upon they will not be exhibited until they have passed her own rigid tests.

Articles on dahlias written by Mrs. Stout have appeared in the Bulletins of the American Dahlia Society and the Garden Club of America, and in publications like The Flower Grower and Gardeners’ Chronicle. 

A pamphlet was written, by request, for the Horticultural Society of New York. Her book, “The Amateur’s Book of the Dahlia,’’ published by Doubleday, Page & Co., is appearing this spring.

That Mrs. Stout has lent charm and value to the advancement of the dahlia is evidenced by the demands upon her for her services as flower show judge and lecturer. She has appeared before many Garden Clubs and Horticultural Societies, and is booked to speak in many parts of the country this season.

Mrs. Stout has won, by showing her own exclusive varieties, in open competition with the best foreign and domestic sorts, many silver cups, medals, and an innumerable number of ribbons and other types of prizes during the year 1921 Mrs. Stout won 27 firsts, 4 seconds, 1 third, 6 medals, and 5 sweepstakes prizes.

It might be charged, and justly so, that because I am the distributor I am biased in favor of these dahlias.

However, the sincere praise of the thousands of disinterested flower lovers, who have viewed these dahlias at exhibitions and at Mrs. Stout’s private trial grounds, have already expressed themselves in more favorable terms than the most extravagant language I could possibly muster.

In fact, I do not even know of a publication, in any way devoted to gardening, that has not published articles of commendation. 

Like the Dahlia Show Judges, I consider every one of these varieties to be the highest form of dahlia accomplishment — the very summit of excellence achieved by patience, perseverance and scientific knowledge in crossing and selection.

(Signed) ALT F. CLARK.

Dahlias of Henrietta Maria Stout (as of 1922 or so)

ALMA MATER. Very large pure white decorative on strong stems. Plants are always covered with massive blooms well above the foliage. Seedling of Madonna in 1918. Tubers $2.00 each.

BONNIE. Bright cerise decorative. A fine commercial sort for florists. Does not need disbudding. Medium sized flowers with long, wiry stems. For garden decoration and for cut flower purposes Bonnie is not surpassed — -flowers last a week or ten days after cutting. Bonnie has never been exhibited singly, but when grouped with J. Harrison Dick, Shantung, Minnesink, Nine of Spades, Penelope van Princess, Lucy Langdon, Gertrude Dahl and Golden Sunshine, was awarded first prize as the most meritorious exhibit by an amateur by the American Dahlia Society in 1920. Plants $2.00 each.

CAMEO. Flesh pink and white decorative. Large flowers on good stems. No dahlia grown will give more pleasure and satisfaction. Easy to grow and fit for any purpose. Originated in 1918. $5 a tuber.

EMILY D. RENWICK. Iridescent rose. Mrs. Stout's entire stock of this decorative variety was bought by George Smith and Sons of East Orange, N. J. The entire proceeds were used for casting a medal in the name of Emily D. Renwick and awarded annually by the Short Hills Garden Club for achievement. Tubers are being offered for sale, for the first time during 1922, by George Smith and Sons. Orders may be sent to them directly or I will fill orders from stock secured from them. $3.00 each.

GERTRUDE DAHL. Opalescent pink peony flowered. Some trade publications describe this variety as flesh pink. Originated in 1913, this dahlia was named by the American Dahlia Society for Mrs. Gertrude Dahl Mordecai, a descendant of Prof. Andre Dahl — after whom all dahlias are named. In 1916 won the Mordecai Cup for best undisseminated seedling dahlia and was awarded a certificate by the A. D. S. Also a certificate by the Horticultural Society of New York and first prize, Lawrence, L. I., Short Hills, N. J., and Maplewood, N. J., and has never been beaten when shown. Free flowering and early. Plants $2.00 each. 

GOLDEN SUNSHINE. A duplex variety — golden yellow overlaid salmon. Seedling of 1912. For purposes of registration, it is called Golden Sunshine, although the original name was Sunshine. In reviewing the first show ever held by the A. D. S. in 1915 the Florists' Exchange said: “Among the varieties shown for a certificate was a semi-double named Sunshine, from Mrs. Stout, remarkably distinct and beautiful.” This is Mrs. Stout's greatest prize winner. Received the first certificate ever issued by the American Dahlia Society in 1915. Certificates in 1916 by Horticultural Society of New York and New York Florists' Club. Won first prize in single and duplex class at the Short Hills Garden Club Shows every year since 1913. Received Garden Magazine Achievement Medal, 1915. Two first prizes and sweepstake prize at Portland, Oregon, in 1916. ^ Sweepstake prize, Maplewood, N. J., 1916, and has won eight silver cups at various other dahlia shows. In 1921 won first and second prize for best duplex at a show of the Short Hills Garden Club. Two prizes were offered, on different days, at the latest show of the A. D. S. for “best vase of Duplex,” in the open for all class — Golden Sunshine was awarded first prize in both entries. $2.00 each tuber.

J. HARRISON DICK. Pale corn-colored with picoted lavender edges. A hybrid cactus originated in 1917. Plants are of upright growth and bear fluffy blooms. This variety was first exhibited by Mrs. Stout at the show of the American Dahlia Society in 1916, where it was awarded a certificate. It was again exhibited and won first prize in 1919 and then named by the Judges of the show in honor of the late Secretary of the Society, J. Harrison Dick. Mrs. Stout contributed her entire stock of this variety to the A. D. S. Through its President, Mr. Richard Vincent, Jr., the Society sold plants at $2.00 each, Mrs. Stout being the first purchaser of five plants. Received certificate from the Horticultural Society of New York in 1920. Tubers $2.00 each. 

HUMORESQUE. A 1919 decorative. Brown with the reverse of petals shaded lavender-rose. The odd but beautiful twisting petals make this dahlia a different type from any other dahlia grown. In 1920 received a certificate from Hort. Society of New York. Received first prize at the 1921 show of the Short Hills Garden Club. Tubers $5.00 each.

LUCY LANGDON. A decorative seedling of 1917. A shade of lavender that is a delight to the eye. In season the plants are always covered with blooms which are just as perfect late in the season as early. Received certificates A. D. S. in 1918 and Horticultural Society of New York in 1919. A prize winner in 1921 A. D. S. Show for “Vase of Decoratives, 12 blooms.” Tubers $2.00. 

MEXICAN BEAUTY. Same color as the American Beauty rose, with the reverse of petals lighter shade. In fact, this hybrid cactus, when originated in 1918, was called American Beauty, but could not be registered with the A. D. S., as there were already two varieties bearing that name. Heavy flowers on strong stems — with a brilliancy of color that is unexcelled. In 1920 received a certificate from Hort. Society of N. Y. A prize winner under “Hybrid Cactus,” at the 1921 Short Hills Garden Club Show. $2.00 each. 

MINNESINK. A hybrid cactus of perfect type with blood red flowers. Certificates A. D. S. and Hort. Soc. of N. Y., 1920. Received the A. D. S. Silver Medal for best dahlia in the whole show at the Short Hills Garden Club, 1919. Won prize for finest dahlia in the 1921 Show at Ridgewood N. J. The blossoms gleam like giant rubies in the sun. Price $2.00 each.

NAOMI. Pink decorative. Stems like a walking stick — so stiff and straight. Orders accepted for 1923 delivery only 

NINE OF SPADES. A seedling of 1918 named for the charter members of the Short Hills Garden Club. A blood red peony with long quilled petals like poinsettias. Enormous flowers on strong stems. No better red in cultivation. Blooms incessantly. Possesses every good habit that should recommend it to private or professional growers of dahlias, i In other words, an exclusive new dahlia for the connoisseur. Awarded a first prize at the 1921 show of the Short Hills Garden Club. $2.00 each.

PENELOPE VAN PRINCES. A pleasing salmon-colored I hybrid cactus. Originated in 1917 and received certificate A. D. S. 1918. Grouped with J. Harrison Dick, Gertrude Dahl and Emily D. Renwick, received a silver medal from Hort. Soc. of N. Y. in 1919. This is the handsomest flower you ever saw — anywhere. Low growth with large flowers on very stiff stems. Received a first prize in 1921 at the Short Hills Garden Club Show. Plants $2.00.

PROMETHEUS. Introduction for 1922. Garden Magazine for November, 1921, reviewing the 7th Annual Show of the A. D. S., said: “In the collection of seedlings shown by Mrs. Stout was one of special merit, Prometheus, hybrid cactus, of splendid form on long graceful stems. It is a soft salmon with orange rather than pink shadings.” $10.00. 

SHANTUNG. A Geisha seedling of 1919 with the fantastic form and all the Oriental colors suggested by the Japanese dancing girl. Can be grown 12 inches in diameter. Stems exceptionally long and straight — covered with large flowers all summer. The lover of beauty will find Shantung “spotted with fire and gold, in tints of flowers.” The absolute mutiny of color and beauty of form are simply amazing. Search the continent and you will find nothing to compare with this variety, because it is one of Mrs. Stout’s best creations. Received silver medal, A. D. S., 1919, for the most meritorious exhibit in show of the Short Hills Garden Club and silver medal. Short Hills Garden Club, for best seedling. In 1920 received a certificate from the Horticultural Society of N. Y. First prize in 1921 for “Peony Flowered Dahlias” at a show of the Short Hills Garden Club. $5.00. 

TRUDEL. A decorative variety originated in 1919. For introduction in 1923. “Child of, and exact color of, Golden Sunshine.”

WESTHOPE. A good type decorative — light yellow with a slight pinkish tinge at the base of petals. Enormous flowers on long stems. Can be grown 10 inches in diameter and 5 inches deep. A high class novelty that has always attracted immediate attention at Mrs. Stout’s private trial grounds since its creation in 1918. Received A. D. S. prize for best undisseminated seedling dahlia exhibited by an amateur in 1920. In 1921, at the show of the Short Hills Garden Club, won first prize under “Decorative Dahlias'' and first prize under “Yellow Dahlias.” $10.00 each, $100 a dozen. 

WHITE SUNSHINE. A beautifully formed single, with round petals of the purest white — seedling from Golden Sunshine X Gertrude Dahl. Originated by Mrs. Stout in 1917. A most distinctive variety with exceptionally good habits. A prize winner at the 1921 shows of the Horticultural Society of New York and the American Dahlia Society. Tubers $2.00.