NEWEST CREATIONS IN ROSES

Evening Star, Issue 21718, 12 May 1934, Page 23

NEWEST CREATIONS IN ROSES

NOVELTIES OF 1833 The ‘Bose Animal,’ the official publication of the National Bose Society (England), a copy of which is open before me (writes the gardening contributor of the Napier ‘ Daily Telegraph ’), is a hoard of really authentic and worthwhile information derived from all the best and most reliable sources, and, further, the result of actual trials and experiments conducted bv experts at the society’s own rose trial grounds at Hayward’s Heath. ROSE TRIALS. It was only to be expected that roses, in common with other garden plants, responded in various ways to the exceptionally fine season experienced in Great Britain during 1933. It is especially worthy of notice-to* those in the Napier district thaj; yellow roses suffered less than any others under the hot .sunshine. Lack of rainfall was a restricting and limiting _ factor. At Hayward’s Heath the rainfall in 1933 was exactly 13in below the normal. Under such conditions it was extremely difficult for newly-planted roses to make progress, and, consequently, after their first inspection in June the Trial Ground Committee cancelled subsequent inspections in July and August. At the end of September the trials were again inspected, and it was decided to withhold making any awards until 1934, when more accurate judging should be possible. The value of the trial ground as a test for constitution, vigour, colour, form, habit, and fragrance is set out in the following paragraph of the report:—“The trial ground during the short period of its most successful existence not have been tested by the weather conditions more severely or in a greater variety of ways, when we bear in mind the severe winter, coupled with the summer drought of 1929, the lack of sunshine and low temperatures of the 1931 season, the many frosts and sunlessncss of 1932, and now the record sun and absence of rain during the summer months of last year. The small percentage of loss sustained in the trial ground during these years points to the hardy constitution of modern roses, and emphasises the especial need of care in planting and proper drainage.” Roses which have been subjected to close inspection under the most exacting conditions and receive special awards from a committee of experts, deserve our attention.

During the past three years 11930, 1931, 1932) 126 special awards have been given to individual varieties contributed by ten countries, by far the largest number of first-class awards going to new varieties from Northern Ireland, ff divided into colour groups, we find that the awards are made up as follows: —White or nearly white, 7 ; buff and salmon-yellow, 8; goldenyellow, 7; orange-flame and orangered, 8; pale pink and rose pink. 27; shrimp-pink, salmon, and old rose, 19; peach-red and old carmined-red. 9: carmine and carmine-pink. 13; scarlet, crimson, and dark red, 28. This, in a rough way, gives some information on tlic colours of the newer and better roses in commerce to-day; and, while a new variety may not necessarily bo any bettor than an old one. those carrying an award of the society may be depended upon. SOME NEW ROSES. The following extracts are taken from a most interesting article by the editor (.Mr Courtney Page), which appears on page 181, and details those varieties which were* awarded special prizes at the 1933 show:— Samuel Popys.—H.T., pale lemon in colour. The buds are attractive in the half-open stage, and develop into a large, good, shaped bloom, with long stilt petals. Fragrant. Growth is vigorous in habit. Empress.—H.T. The blooms, which are large, with a high pointed centre, are carried erect on long, stiff stems. The colour is a bright shade of pink, with a lovely sheen, reminding one of Mrs A. R. Barraclough. Delightfully fragrant. Foliage of a dark green colour. Lady English.—A bright rose-pink variety, with flood shaped, very fragrant blooms. The foliage, which is abundant, a leathery, dark green. Karen Poulscn.— Hybrid Polyantha. A rose that will have few rivals as regards colour, which is a glorious fiery crimson that lasts right up to time I bo petals tall. Foliage bright green, ami free from mildew. Betty Prior. Hybrid Polyantha. The single blooms are 4in across, and carried in clusters oti long, stiff stems. The foliage is a pale green, tinted with

purple, which makes it most attractive. It is a perpetual blooming variety, and lasts well into the autumn. Madge Wildfire.—A very dainty variety of the hybrid tea class, with large double blooms, the petals of which are recurved. The colour is a rich, glowing pink that lasts well. The habit ot growth is vigorous and upright, while the reddy-grcen foliage makes it an attractive bedding variety. It is very sweetly scented, and does not mind rain.

It is interesting to note that membership of the society stands to-day at 14,500.