Trumbull – Guion Christmas Card – 1958 – GUION’S MID-WINTER FLOWER SHOW

Timely Mesage From

The Old Gardener . . . . . . . . . . .

We are issuing our Christmas Bulletin early this year in order to get the combined force of a Thanksgiving and Christmas good-will message.

After all, Christmas and what it stands for is surely a cause for Thanksgiving; and from a practical standpoint relieving Uncle Sam’s couriers of a small part of their holiday rush (and one’s friends of a surfeit of cards arriving at the very busiest time of the year), it is itself a gesture of good-will – – or at least we hope you will so regarded, because as always, an overflowing measure of good wishes is what we have been trying to convey in this our 1958 holiday season greeting.

PS – Incidentally, the flower pictures were drawn by our young “budding” artists.

this favorite group of popular perennials, all members of the Alfredo-Mariana ( my parents – Alfred (Lad) and Marian)family, consists of six varieties, each one different. Colorful and easily raised, they thrive best when not transplanted to frequently. Partly indigenous to California (Mom was raised there), the tall variety grows especially well in “truck” (reference to my father being a construction equipment mechanic) garden. One variety prefers warm climates (Marian grew up in California), the other thrives best in cold weather (Lad).  Twin buds (my brother and I) frequently develop into entirely different blossoms. This is one of our prize plant groups.

This choice variety has been developed from two main groups in the Paulette-Danneo combination of popular strains. One imported favorite is an offshoot of the noted French Lily f)amily which quickly adapts itself to changing locations. (Dan met and married Paulette in France during the war. The other branch frequently associated with foundation plantings. (Dan loves to work outside in the gardens.) Both are great nursery favorites. (Reference to the fact that Dan and Paulette have five children.)

The smaller members of this attractive group are easy to grow. Despite the delicate appearance these tiny very flowers are among the world’s heartiest.. They will bloom for years with minimal care – – a constant delight for you and your friends. Be sure to see them when you visit our garden.

FLOWER SHOWS like this reach fullest beauty and fragrance only as they blossom in the mind of the beholder. We can invite you to our main gardens in Conn., Or to our winter quarters in Naples, Florida, but deep back of it all lies the fruit you yourself must find in this Season’s Greeting from an old well-wisher.

This is one of the newer and promising additions to our selected line. For many years the largest growing member of this group – – the well-known bachelor button – – was found frequently growing high above the frost line, flourishing well in Alaskan climate. Ced remained a bachelor and lived in Alaska for over 6 years.) Another a variety flourishes near highways (pikes to you) (Ced married Fannie Pike) . A miniature offshoot is often designated as a night Bloomer. (They have a son who is a year old) Holds promise of increasing popularity as a home favorite.

This hardy group blossoms the year-round and thrives with frequent transplanting. Among the five color assortments comprising this group, some prefer sunshine to shade (Biss), others flourish best near shady trout streams and woods (Zeke). They bring color and loveliness to any home. They are frequently found growing near a variety of dogwood with thin bark, sometimes identified by the code name-Spooks. (Their dog.)

Habitat, northern New England. Found most plentifully near lakes They live 15 minutes from our Island on Lake Winnipesaukee.). Grow tall and thin on graceful stems. (Wife Jean and both daughters are tall and thin.) Largely self-supporting, especially when transplanted to southern climes. One of the prize offshoots from the famous Mortensen (Jean’s maiden name) family of beauties. Round eyed Susan  is one of the well-known varieties. Two attractive miniature flowers in this group bloom indoors in every room of the house all winter long. Every lovely flower is a true and perfect specimen, exquisitely dainty and colorful – – not to be confused with ordinary run of seedlings advertised for $.12-$.15 each.

Here is the latest achievement in the development of grafting technique in starting an entirely new strain – – a venture we are watching with considerable interest and anticipation (Dave and Ellie have adopted a son) At present at the prospect of a high measure of success is highly encouraging, in an environment combining background of careful Dutch cultivation (Ellie’s ancestry) and large plant tendencies associated with the well-known Bullardinia and Remingtonius stock, (Dave has worked at Remington-Rand plant in Bridgeport.) this young addition to our growing family of potential prizewinners is off to an auspicious start.

I’ll finish out the week with more of Grandpa’s Christmas cards.

Judy Guion

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