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 Gardening Catalog-1950s vintage catalog from 1952 from Spring Hill Nurseries featuring illustration of flowers you can grow.

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.

1920s vintage flower magazine from 1926 featuring an illustration of Gladioli's in front of a Tudor style house the background.

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

1920s vintage flower catalog for Bulbs in 1929 featuring an Art Deco Illustration of a Tulip and typography.

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.

1940s vintage Garden Catalog from 1946 featuring a 1940s woman with a 1940s hairstyle posing in front of a white picket fence with a flower garden in front.

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!

1950s vintage gardening catalog from spring summer 1951 for how to grow Geraniums featuring an illustration of two women in 1950s workwear including fun 1950s hat and a hairscarf.

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

1950s vintage flower catalog for bulbs and plants from Geo. J. Ball Inc 1953-1954 featuring an image of a woman with 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).

1950s flower catalog featuring on the cover a floral arrangement of the 'Queen Elizabeth Rose', along with her picture in the bottom (the 2nd).

“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.

1950s vintage catalog from 1959 from Spring Hill Nurseries featuring illustration of flowers for your garden and a Mid Century House garden with roses

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”

1940s vintage magazine cover from Better Homes & Gardens in June 1940 featuring a woman standing in her garden reading a magazine about how to garden in overalls and 1940s hairstyle.

Step back in time to the golden age of holiday cheer with vintage Christmas magazines and catalogs from the 1920s through the 1960s. These publications captured the magic of mid-century festivities, from dazzling holiday fashion spreads and retro gift ideas to nostalgic recipes and charming home décor inspiration.

Whether you’re a history buff, a collector, or simply love the timeless charm of old-fashioned Christmases, these treasures offer a delightful glimpse into how past generations celebrated the season.

Further Reading: December Magazine Covers 1920s-1950s (feature some festive Christmas covers) & Vintage Christmas Catalogues

Mid Century Homes as seen in a December 1950s Better Homes & Gardens Christmas Magazine.

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy & eBay, are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Note: If the item you click on is no longer available, don’t fret! Etsy has loads of vintage items that might just catch your eye. Just do some searching. Happy shopping!

Vintage Christmas Magazine & Catalog Covers 1920s-1960s

FAO Schwarz Christmas Catalog in 1920.

Family Circle Magazine December 1961. Available as a Digital Download to enjoy right now!

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS:

* Just Like a Man!
* How Mrs. Santa Claus Saved Christmas – 12 paged illustrated story
* Exciting Holiday Decorations to Make Yourself
* Little People Craft made from Clothespins
* All Aboard for Cookyland – vintage Christmas Cookie Recipes
* Open House – the friendliest way to Entertain – entertaining ideas and recipes for your own MCM-style Open House
* 6 Make-Ahead Casseroles
* Discover the Joys of Reading to Your Children
* Piggy Bank Gifts Children Can Buy

1960s Vintage Magazine- December1961 Family Circle Christmas Edition featuring Mr and Mrs. Claus on the cover. Magazine featured Holiday Decorating Ideas, 22 Cookie ideas and more!

Mid-Century Christmas Cookie Ideas & an Open House Candlelight Buffet Menu.

All Aboard for Cookyland - vintage 1960s Christmas Cookie Recipes

Open House - the friendliest way to Entertain - entertaining ideas and recipes for your own MCM-style Open House

Source: Etsy-VintageMagLuv

1956 Sears Christmas Wish Book featuring two little kids in the PJ’s amazed by the tree with all the gifts under it.

I love this catalog cover so much because it brings me back to my brother and I doing the same thing as kids.

(Note: avail for sale from ArtComixHaven at time of posting)

1950 Vintage Catalog: 1956 Sears Christmas Wish Book featuring two little kids in pajamas looking at the Christmas Tree filled with toys

Source: christmasmusetechnical.com

“Let’s give the boys a Merry Christmas”. December 1941 Farmer’s Magazine featuring a man and woman in uniform enjoying a Christmas cake.

1940s Vintage Magazine: "Let's give the boys a Merry Christmas". December 1941 Farmer's Magazine featuring a man and woman in uniform enjoying a Christmas cake.

Source: Etsy-OldbutGoldCrafts

The American Journal of Nursing – the Christmas edition – from December 1950.

The magazine is filled with medical/nurse-related articles, photographs and fabulous advertising.

Source: Etsy-BarnboardAntiques

Better Homes & Gardens Christmas Ideas for 1963 Magazine.

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS:

Delicious Recipes for holiday treats
400 New Ideas that say Merry Christmas
Decorations for home, Inside & Out
Traditional Tree and novelty tree designs
And more!

1960s Vintage Magazine: Better Homes & Gardens Christmas Ideas for 1963. This magazine has Christmas stories, crafts, recipes, and great Christmas advertisements.

I love these stunning Mid Century entry way holiday decoration ideas, especially the two red door looks.

Mid Century home Entry way door ideas for decorating for Christmas as seen in a 1963 Better Homes & Gardens Magazine.

Source: Etsy-TwoLadybugsVintage

Mademoiselle magazine from December 1947 “Christmas”, featuring a stylish skier on the cover.

1940s Vintage Magazine: Mademoiselle Christmas December 1947 featuring a woman in a ski outfit and skis on the cover.

Source: Etsy-PapayasStudio

December 1969-EBONY Magazine.

Woman’s Home Companion December 1932. Carrying Christmas gifts in the snow.

1930s Vintage Magazine Cover: 1930s vintage magazine cover Vintage Christmas Magazine Cover from Women's Home Companion 1932 featuring an illustration of mom with her kids in the snow with Christmas presents

Chatelaine Magazine December 1949 Christmas Cover–The Canadian Woman’s Magazine.

Further Reading: Chatelaine-The Canadian Magazine for Women since 1928

1965 December Scouting Magazine –A Magazine For Adults (featuring teenagers on the cover).

1960s Vintage Christmas Magazine-SCOUTING December 1965 featuring two young adults decorating a Christmas Tree.

Source: eBay

1930’s Christmas Catalog “Western Auto Stores” “Christmas w/Gifts For Everyone” (see inside here-avail at time of posting).

1930's Christmas Catalog "Western Auto Stores" "Christmas w/Gifts For Everyone". The cover features an illustration of Santa checking his list.

1930s Vintage Christmas Catalog from Western Auto Stores featuring gifts for everyone like toys for kids.

Source: eBay

December 1950, 1951 & 1952 Le Petit Echo de la Mode French ladies magazines Christmas special.

The magazines from the 1950s is full of beautiful illustrations of very chic women and kids in 1950s fashions, gorgeous advertisements, diagrams for sewing and knitting patterns, and bits and pieces of novels and interesting articles.