Harry Johnson
All photos on these pages were taken by Margaret Gunn. Cactus subjects
are from her personal collection, unless otherwise noted.
Harry Johnson was a master hybridizer of cacti for over four decades of his life.
Strangely enough, he began as a nurseryman, when, at age 27, he purchased a waterlily
nursery from an old family friend, E.D. Sturtevant in Bordentown, New Jersey. The year
was 1921, and Harry moved the nursery to Hynes, California, which was later renamed Paramount.
Starting in 1931, a few cacti and succulents began to appear in the 'Johnson Water Gardens' catalog.
Five years later, the first issue of 'Johnson Cactus Gardens' catalog was published.
The last issue was dated 1968. Every year in between, except for the war years from 1943 to 1946
Johnson Cactus Gardens catalogs appeared regularly, and presented an uncopyrighted
record of his enormous interest and success in hybridization.
Paramount Hybrids
by Louis Zelenak
Developed by Harry Johnson of Paramount, California. In
the 20s he started hybridizing various Echinopsis and Lobivias and in his
early catalogs offered them as unnamed plants. Then in the 50s he started
offering them as named varieties. He was probably the first in this country
to the flowering potential of these plants. There was also a Kelly Nursery in
the Pasadena area that offered hybrids in the 40s. Basically though, a
Paramount hybrid is one developed by Harry Johnson and are the basis for the
Schich hybrids. I think Bob had personal contact with him when he moved his
nursery to Fallbrook in 1968. After that he no longer offered the beautiful
catalog but I think some of his better-known hybrids came after he moved
their, most notably Barber Pole and Red King. Some of his early plants,
notably the Red and Orange Paramount don't offer much in the way of flowers
compared with what is available now and if one doesn't have much space they
should be avoided (personal opinion).
Actually Harry Johnson and his wife were sent on a safari by their children
to Africa, the nursery was moved to Fallbrook and the place in Paramount I
think was turned into a trailer park. Henrietta's Nursery was in business the
same time as Johnson's, when Johnson died a lot his plants went to Mueller's
Nursery but Mueller died before he could catalog a lot of the plants, then,
if I recall correctly Mary Piazza bought it and she retired a couple of years
ago. This should be fairly accurate, but so many years later, I guess it
really doesn't matter. The most important thing, I guess, is that the
Paramounts have led to a new generation of hybrids for all to enjoy. I
recently gave a couple of plants to friend of ours and she is just amazed
that these could have such beautiful flowers and that is really what matters.
I purchased Miles Aracnacot and for a little flower it was impressive, a
beautiful orange with a darker outline on each of the petals.
Johnson Hybrid Photos
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Lobivia 'Fire Chief'
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Echinopsis 'Tangerine'
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Echinopsis 'L.A.'
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Echinopsis '49er'
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Echinopsis 'Blush'
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Echinopsis 'Mary Patricia'
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Homepage
- Johnson's Catalog
- Cactus Gallery
- Succullent Gallery
- Bob Schick Hybrids Gallery
- E-Mail me
