I’m on a bit of a gardening kick lately—if you read my recent Victory Garden Post, you’ll know what I mean! Today, I thought I’d share some delightful vintage flower catalog covers I discovered from the 1920s-1950s. They’re perfect for sparking inspiration for your spring and summer garden plans. The illustrations, colors, and of course, the flowers are absolutely fantastic—anything but boring. Let’s take a look!

All covers are from ‘Archive.org‘ and if you click the highlighted links, you can see the FULL catalogs. Please note that many of these catalogs also feature vegetables you could of purchased and grown.

Vintage Flower Catalog Covers (1920s–1950s)

Raise your hand if you are a fan of GLADIOLI’s? If that is you then this 1926 magazine is for you and its filled with everything you need to know about every variety of Gladioli.

BULBS 1929. Fantastic Art Deco illustration of the Tulip on this catalog cover (and typography) from ‘Hosea Waterer, Seedman and Blub Importer’.

Hardy Plants for New England Gardens, 1937 / Gray & Cole.

Kellogg’s Garden Beauty Book, Spring 1939.

Well isn’t this the most romantic gardening book you have ever seen? If this “harlequin romance” like cover does not catch your attention in a sea of catalogs, I don’t know what will!

Here is another from Kellogg’s featuring Miss Joan Payne, the 1940s Blossom Queen (how fun!).

Kellogg’s Garden Beauty Book, Spring 1941.

Okay one more from R.M. Kellogg Company (I just love these covers) but this time, I spy the SAME flower garden but with different ladies and different years (1943 & 1946). Someone was getting sloppy and did not think we would notice.

Geraniums : Spring and Summer 1951 / Wilson Bros.

This is my favorite catalog of all the ones I featured today. I just love the charming illustration of women tending to their geraniums in the garden—it’s so sweet and nostalgic. Even the Mid-Century house in the background adds to the appeal. Such fun gardening fashion inspiration!

Geo. J. Ball Plants and Bulbs 1953-1954 catalog featuring a woman arranging Easter Lilies on the cover.

Spring 1955 Germain Seed and Plant Company catalog cover featuring a floral arrangement of the Queen Elizabeth Rose, as well as her image.

ABOUT: Rosa ‘Queen Elizabeth’ is a pink Grandiflora rose cultivar, bred by rose grower, Dr. Walter Lammerts in the United States in 1954. ‘Queen Elizabeth’ was named in honor of Queen Elizabeth II when she ascended the British throne in 1952. The stock parents of ‘Queen Elizabeth’ are the hybrid tea, Rosa ‘Charlotte Armstrong’ and the floribunda, ‘Floradora’ (Source). 

“America’s Newest Rose. 1955 All American Winner in Regal Splendor-The Queen Elizabeth Rose”.

1959-Spring Hill Nurseries Spring Catalog (Tipp City, Ohio).

I love a good Clematis. My mother grows them and they always look so nice in her backyard garden.

Plant fans! What is your favourite flower or plant? Do you have a green thumb or no thumbs (hehehe)? Share any thoughts on this topic in the comments section below.

Further Reading: Vintage Advertising 1920s-1960s (archived) & Vintage Magazine & Catalog Posts (archived).

Thanks for dropping by!

Liz (actual image of me below HA!)

“Gardening for Happiness”