ROSES IN 1896.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9594, 8 December 1896, Page 3

ROSES IN 1896.

MESSRS ROSS AND LEIGHTON'S COLLECTION.

At each exhibition held by the Canterbury Rose Society these celebrated rose growers have taken most of the first prizes that have been won in the classes for nurserymen; this fact makes a visit to their gardens anticipated with more than ordinary interest. Here roses are grown in thousands and almost in endless variety, from the miniature Cecil Brunner to the stately Her Alajesty ; and the condition of this large collection is all that can be desired. They are in a good healthy state, their condition is vigorous without being coarse, and they are free from insect pests. Messrs Rosa and Leighton are growing a large number of Hybrid Teas. This section is fast coming into public' favour, and when their attributes are better known they will be in great demand. Nearly all Hybrid Teas have pood constitutions and handsome foliage, and are very floriferous, while for decorative purposes they are much more useful than the Hybrid Perpetuals. Kaiserin Augusta Victoria is a new variety and one of the beet, it has been very popular at all the Rose Shows in England this year. Not many Roeesowe their origin to Germany, bat this one does. -The blooms are large, full ami of perfect form, its habit is vigorous and its colour is described as cream, and salmon fawn ; Gustave Regis H.T. is one of those beautiful roses that should be in every collection ; the buds are long and pointed, the tips of the petals are tinged with a deeper shade, it is a free grower and has a good healthy constitution. Caroline Leatant H.T. is a beautiful addition to this class, it is very fragrant, colour bright rose. Papa Gontier H.T., is a most usefnl variety for those who require a large number of beautiful buds for decorative purposes, its colour in rosy crimson, the buds are very handsome but the blooms are not full enough for an exhibition rose. Among the Tea Scented varieties we noted % good numUr of BridMUtid. Vhw i» •

beautiful pink sport from Catherine Mermet it has the exquisite form, and other qualities of its parent. Corinna has a great reputation but he has not seen it in bloom yet. Comtesse de Panesse is one of those varieties that is useful for all purposes ; colour, rosy buff shaded darker. Countess of Jersey is generally described as a bud rose, but here the blooms are as full as any exhibition rose ueed be ; colour salmon buff. , Princess de Sagan has a rich velvety crimson colour. Jean Pernet a pale yellow, is one of the best yellow roses, all its blooms come good and full, it keeps well owing to its substance. The Hybrid Verpetuals in Messrs Ross and Leighton's garden are represented by all the best varieties, and are in grand condition. Several are blooming for the first time here. Mrs Sharman Crawford is one of the most beautiful H.P.'a, and of recent introduction. It has been awarded the National Rose Society's gold medal and a host of certificates. Marchioness of Dufferin has large globular blooms, pink with very handsome Foliage, and a good habit. Many pink flowers fade under a strong sun, but this rose keeps its purity of colour well, and does not either fade or burn. Gustave Piganeau, another grand addition to the Hybrid Perpetuals and many ethers too numerous to notice in this brief note are to be seen in the gardens in questions. The miniature buttonhole Roses are much in favour now, and they deserve all the attention paid to them, they being so useful and charming, either on the plants or made up as sprays or buttonholes. Cecil Brunner is the best known of this section, but Blanche Rebatcl is one that is very useful; it may be described as a miniature Crimson Rambler. Its blooms are produced in large clusters, Perle dOr is a perfect gem; colour, Nankeen yellow. Messrs Ross and Leighton are to be congratulated on the excellence of their stock, and the clean condition in which it is kept—the ground is well tilled, and weeds are not allowed to grow, thus the plant food they would take from the soil is left for the benefit of the Roses. Mkssrs Nairn and Sons' Cotaection. Although Messrs Nairn and Sons have not exhibited for competition at the Canterbury Rose Society's exhibitions, they have each year contributed a large collection for exhibition only. These exhibits are much enjoyed by the public ; one reason being that instead of one bloom of each rose being shown several are staged, thus enabling the visitors to compare the different merits of each variety better. Messrs Nairn and Sons' collection of roses is one of the largest and most complete in New Zealaud, and to this they are constantly adding new varieties. A visit to this collection is at all times interesting and instructive, one is sure to see Roses that are new, Roses thac are old, and Roses that the visitor had not previously known anything about. Our space will only enable us to notice the newer and better varieties. One of the first he saw was Maman Coehet. This variety has won a large number of medals and prizes in England during the Rose season, and all writers agree that it is one of the most beautiful Roses ever raised. It was shown in grand form at the National Rose Society's Exhibition held at the Crystal Palace on July 4th last, by Mr 0. G. Orpin. One of the blooms exhibited is figured in the " Gardener's Magazine " for July 11th, page 463, the colour is described as flesh salmon and yellow, its form is all that one could desire. Kaiserin Augusta Victoria, another grand acquisition is here in very, large numbers, and showing promising buds. W. F. Bewnett H.T. is a brilliant crimson, not very full when expanded, but beautiful in the bud. Furetiu Bisinark H.T. is a fleshcoloured variety with large globular blooms. Gustave Regis shows some half dozen beautiful blooms half developed. The blooms on Messrs Nairns' plants of Duchess of Albany are the beat coloured and fullest we have seen. Madame Eugene Verdier Tis one of the most satisfactory yellow roses to grow, it is a vigorous- grower "and very floriferous ; colour, deep chamois yellow. White Perle is in first-class condition and grown in large numbers. Henri Brichard H.T. has large well-formed blooms and a vigorous constitution ; colour, white with carmine centre. The Hybrid perpetuals are all in a very promising condition, and will give a grand harvest of blooms, all the best varieties are grown. We noted among others Gustave Piganeau. This is a new rose with very large globula bloom; colour, carmine lake. There are also Marchioness of Dufferin; and many otheis, but where so large a- number is grown and: all. display such general excellence, it is difficult to select any for special notice. The public saw a good display from the Mesers Nairn at the exhibition on November 9th.