Blue Book of Gardening

Blue Book of Gardening This 1920s seed catalog from Winsel-Gibbs Seed Company, Los Angeles, features new flower varieties and detailed seasonal gardening instructions for Southern California. Six featured introductions include Larkspur La France, bred for abundant lateral stems; Verbena Mammoth Golden Queen, a deep yellow ever-bearing variety; Delphinium Hollyhock Strain in pale blues with double flowers; Gaillardia The Dazzler, a dark red with orange tips; California Sunshine Asters with improved long stems for cutting; and Peerless Yellow Aster, bred to achieve reliable yellow coloring without quills. The catalog includes landscape services under architect Clinton F. Rose, specializing in rockeries and stone construction. A comprehensive month-by-month calendar provides specific planting instructions for vegetables, fruits, flowers, and ornamental trees appropriate to Southern California's climate, addressing regional issues like Devil Grass control on lawns through White Clover over-seeding.