The Coronation Flower

Western Star, 28 March 1911, Page 2

The Coronation Flower

Tiio Coronation flower par excellence is going" to bo tflic sweet pea, and February the first of the gardening months, is especially the season for the first sowing of this supreme flower of tlhe year. It is curious how the history of the sweet pea has marched with the coming of a new reign. The first appearance of tho yellow colour, which in full pur-

itty tts still the unachieved aim of our growers, was (in 1837. the year

of Queen Victoria's accession' One of the greatest advances ever mjade iu the development- of any flower was in 1001, the. year of King Edward's accession, when simultaneously, in

Lord Spencer.s garden and in a Cam bridge garden, were 'created' the Countess Spencer and Gladys Unwin..

the first sweet pi'as with large and wavy 'standard'—the technical name for the bad* petals as opposed to the 'wings' and the 'heel.' This year the popularity of the flower is Mke-

Iy to surpass that of any flower 0 f any time, as it can surpass most in variety, in continuance of bloom and richness of bloom. These flowers will ariS3, as was' said of the famous exhiibit, "like bonfires'" in almost every garden in the kingdom,

in great gardens and cottage gardens, and it is a question which they most naturally adorn, for they are as simple as they are gorgeous and .sweet-scented. The favorite'' 'among

the favorites this year, partly from the happy accident of its name, is likely to be The King. It is almost if not quite, the largest ol'the many huge , flowers of the Spencer typo and of a gorgeous crimson colour suitable to the ' note of high ceremony- Special prizes are to be giv£n at many village and local shows, and when 'flaming June' is here, w e may expect t 0 sec such flames « { t'h'S brilliant flower as will surpass all the records.