the Paramount Hybrids of
Johnson cactus gardens (Harry Johnson)

1958 p. 31: These bright blooming cacti flower much more freely for the beginner than some of the well known older species. They are very strong rooted having hybrid vigor. The colors range from pink through various shades of shrimp and salmon to brilliant red, tangerine, strawberry pink, golden yellow a kaleidoscope of color. The flowers of the Monarch type are 6" to 8" long and extremely freely borne. Culture. They do best in a rather rich loam soil with moderate to generous waterings particularly in summer when growing. Give full sun."

1959 p. 34: "These brilliantly flowered hybrids between Echinopsis and Lobivia are strong rooted vigorous plants, very free flowering and of the easiest culture. A rich loam soil, moderate to generous watering and sunny location."

1961 p. 29: "Scintillating shades of orange, strawberry pink, golden yellow, shrimp and salmon. These beauties are irresistible! Each hybrid has been selected with an eye to distinctive color and form, free flowering qualities, vigor and ease of culture. All have been grown in our nursery for several years as a thorough test of their capabilities. With reasonable care they will flower several times during the year. Large plants producing 20-30 blossoms each time. Size of flowers averages 3"-4". Length of flower tube varies from 3"-8".

Culture: Paramount Hybrids have an unusually strong root system and with simple, ordinary handling they can be grown and flowered easily. They do best in a rather rich loam soil with moderate to generous watering during summer when growing. Give full sun. Hardy to 24°-26° F, lower with slight protection such as straw."

"I have spent over 20 years in producing my Paramount Hybrid series. The plants of this group have been chosen from thousands of hybrids. Only the best are kept, the others discarded. I personally recommend any of the Paramount Hybrids to our customers."

1962 p. 24; 1964? p. 25: "Orange-yellow center shading to darker orange or salmon at the petal tips. A handsome compact, very free flowering plant. Six flowers open at once, with as many buds remaining is not unusual for a 2-1/2 inch plant. Flower tube covered with silky wool. Body pale apple green. A fine new offering." (includes photo)

1961 p. 29: "Flower color changeable with season, usually a distinctive tomato-red. The largest growing hybrid to date, up to 12" high, 6" diameter. Deep green stems. Supply limited."

1962 p. 24: "A handsome distinct hybrid changeable with season and weather. Usually a tomato red, but can vary from almost rose to dark red. Far and away the most vigorous and largest growing hybrid to date, up to 12" high, 6" diameter. Deep green stems, black spines. Difficult and slow to propagate, supply will always be limited. Choice."

1963 p. 24: "Changeable color varying from rose to dark red with the season. Flowering off and on all summer. The largest hybrid to date, up to 12" high and 6" through. Deep green body, black spines. Choice."

`Dainty Bess'

1958 p. 31: "A small freely flowering variety with red blossoms. Stock limited."

1959 p. 34: "A pretty small plant with light crimson flowers freely borne. Give it a good loam soil, a sunny location and keep it moist during the summer and it will flower abundantly. These hybrids are very satisfactory." includes a photo.

1961 p. 29: "A small compact plant producing an abundance of light crimson flowers. Its exquisite delicacy and neatness make it attractive to everyone. A good loam soil, sunny location, and generous watering will provide all the necessities for a succession of flowers. A highly satisfactory hybrid."

`Fluffy Ruffles'

1958 p. 31; 1961 p. 29: "Ruffled 6" flowers flushed glowing orange. Free flowering vigorous."

1962 p. 24: "A vigorous, free flowering hybrid with attractive 6" ruffled flowers of flushed glowing orange."

`Forty-Niner'

1959 p. 34: "Bright yellow. Handsome"

1961 p. 29; 1962 p. 24; 1963 p. 24: "Brilliant golden yellow with bright green stem, very short harmless spines."

`Kate Walker'

p 34 in 1959 catalog: "Handsome red flowers. A fine vigorous variety."

1961 p. 29: "Handsome soft-red flowers. Neat, compact plant of exceptional vigor. Much recommended."

1962 p. 24: "An exceptionally free flowering hybrid with handsome soft red flowers. A vigorous, easily grown plant. Much recommend.

1963 p. 24: "An exceptionally free flowering hybrid with handsome soft red flowers. A vigorous, easily grown plant. Much recommended.

`Mary Patricia'

1963 p. ?(cover): "A splendid new Paramount. Petals rounded, overlapping. The plant deep, blackish green with many narrow ribs and very short harmless spines. A tall growing vigorous plant. Flowering for five months from May to October." (photo)

1963 p. 24: "see color photo on cover"

1959 p. 34: "Lovely 6" pink blossoms."

1961 p. 29: "Lovely 6" long pink blossoms with a very faint bluish cast. The color is distinctive. A fine plant. Only large, flowering plants are available this year."

1962 p. 24; 1963 p. 24: "Lovely pink blossoms with a faint bluish cast. Entirely distinct from all other Paramount Hybrids."

1958 p. 31: "Brilliant glowing orange. Flower short tubed 2-1/2 inch in diameter. Stock very limited."

page 13 in 1959 catalog

1961 p. 29: "Brilliant glowing orange. This handsome Paramount hybrid is illustrated 1/2 natural size. A free flowering variety blossoming in late spring and summer. Vigorous, with a strong root system, easily grown. Prefers a rich porous loam, full sun, generous watering during summer. We are sure you will treasure this beauty." (includes photo)

1962 p. 24; 1964? p. 25: "Brilliant glowing orange. This handsome Lobivopsis hybrid is illustrated 1/2 natural size. A free flowering variety blossoming in late spring and summer. Easily grown as it is vigorous and develops a strong root system. You will treasure this beauty." (includes photo)

1958 p. 31: "Extremely free flowering variety with lovely orange yellow blossoms. A pretty, deep green plant almost spineless. Flowers well even when young. Give it a rich loam soil repotting as necessary, watering generously during the summer. Likes full sun." (includes photo)

page 15 in 1959 catalog

1961 p. 29: "Extremely free flowering variety with lovely orange yellow blossoms. A pretty, deep green plant almost spineless. Flowers well even when young. Give it a rich loam soil full sun, watering generously during the summer." (includes photo)

1962 p. 24: see photo next page

1962 p. 25; 1964? p. 25: "Extremely free flowering variety with lovely orange-yellow blossoms. A pretty, deep green plant almost spineless. Flowers well even when young. Rich loam, full sun, watering generously during summer." (includes photo)

1963 p. 24: See page 27

1958 p. 31: "Sold out for this year"

1959 p. 34: "Glowing peach pink."

1962 p. 24: "Beautiful glowing peach pink. The blossoms are very large up to 8" long, very freely produced. One of the finest of our new Paramount hybrid series (Lobivopsis). An entrancing hybrid. Water generously during summer." (includes photo)

1959 p. 34: "One of the finest deep reds. Handsome plant with bright flowers."

1961 p. 29: "Sold out for this year."

1962 p. 24: "Deep, glowing red with faint violet overlay. Our finest red. Very free flowering, vigorous. We have only a few small plants of this beauty available this year."

1963 p. ? (cover): "One of our finest bright reds. A deep, glowing, intense color. Free flowering, the blossoms large and well formed. Plant tall, ribs narrow, deep green. Give them ample pot room as they have a vigorous root system." (includes photo)

1963 p. 24: "see cover color photo"

1958 p. 30: "Blossoms vary in intensity of coloring at different seasons from orange to bright red. A vigorous, free flowering variety. The plant is dark green with short spines on the ribs. Flowers during late spring and summer. Fine variety." includes

photo.

page 22 in 1959 catalog

1961 p. 29: "Color intensity varying from orange to bright red at different seasons. The color photo below was taken in our propagating beds during June. Our display areas are often a sheet of color at that time. Its free flowering quality are well shown in the picture. A vigorous, easily grown, easily flowered plant." (includes photo)

1962 p. 24: see color photo p. 25

1962 p. 25; 1963 p. 24: "The color photo was taken in our propagating beds during June. Its free flowering quality is amply evident. Each plant often having a dozen flowers open at once. Color varies with weather and season. A vigorous, easily grown, easily flowered plant." (includes photo)

1958 p. 31: "Pretty red blossoms very freely borne."

1959 p. 34: "Bright red flowers. Plant dwarf. Free flowering." Good grower."

1961 p. 29: "A small variety with pretty red blossoms. Flowers very freely."

1958 p. 31: "Rich salmon pink 6" flowers. Very vigorous grower."

1959 p. 34: "Salmon pink 6" flowers. Vigorous grower."

1961 p.? cover: (includes color photo)

1961 p. 29: "Pictured in full color on our front cover. Warm rose pink, very free flowering, easily grown. The newest addition to our Paramount Hybrid series. No enthusiast should be without this fine plant."

1962 p. 25: "1/4 natural size. Gorgeous, many-petalled, ruffled flowers of warm rose-pink with a dark rose stripe down the center of each petal. Imagine a dozen or more such flowers on one plant! This beauty is all anyone could wish for in a flowering cactus. A rich loam soil, plenty of water during summer and full sun will bring this easily grown charmer to perfection. Nice." (includes photo)

1964? p. 25: "1/4 natural size. Gorgeous, many-petalled, ruffled flowers of warm rose-pink with a dark rose stripe down the center of each petal. Imagine a dozen or more such flowers on one plant! This beauty is all anyone could wish for in a flowering cactus." (includes photo)

1958 p. 31; 1961 p. 29: "Red with violet overlay the petals with pale yellow central stripe. 6" blossoms."

1962 p. 24: "Red with violet overlay, petals with pale yellow center stripe."

1958 p. 31: "Brilliant tangerine. A vivid, lovely flower 5"-6". Plant strong with dark spines. Stock limited."

1961 p. 29: "Sold out for this year."

1962 p. 25; 1963 p. 24: "Brilliant tangerine. Distinct clear coloration. 5"-6" long. Plant strong with dark spines."

1962 p. 24: "A striking new introduction. Full-petalled flowers of creamy white with a terra cotta stripe down the center of each petal. Dark green stem with very short almost harmless spines. A rich loam soil, plenty of water during summer and full sun will bring this beauty to perfection. Nice." (includes photo)

1963 p. ? (cover): "A handsome Paramount Hybrid (Lobivopsis). Each petal of a soft terra-cotta, the margins shading to white. The plant is globular, bright green with wide ridges and very short, blunt spines, vigorous in growth. It has a long flowering season. April to October. Give them plenty of sunlight." (includes photo)

1963 p. 24: "see color photo on cover."

1962 p. 25: "A particularly graceful wide open flower of pure glistening white. Many petalled flowers, 5" across. We have been hoping for a good white in our Paramount series, and this is it. Pale green body, clean and compact. Only a few small 1"-2" plants available."

1963 p. ? (cover): "A particularly graceful flower of dazzling white. 5 inches across and opening widely. This new Paramount Hybrid is a favorite of those who have visited our gardens. Plant fat, globular with wide ridges and very short blunt spines.. An extremely free bloomer from April to October." (includes photo)

Other hybrids from Johnson Cactus Gardens

Chamaelopsis hybrids

Echinopsis hybrids

Trichocereus hybrids