Rodgersia Pinnata.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIV, Issue 10, 9 March 1910, Page 40

Rodgersia Pinnata.

Of the Rodgersias this is certainly the most handsome species, as may be seen by the accompanying illustration. It grows about 5 feet high, with shortly pinnate leaves of ample dimensions and good substance. It is somewhat later in starting into growth than R. podophylla, but lasts in perfection much longer into the late autumn. The leaves also are not so liable to sunburn, which makes the foliage of R. podophylla so unsightly at times. Seeds of this species were sent home to Kew by Dr. A. Henry in 1898, who says: “I found it in the fruiting condition on cliffs about 8000 feet about sea-level in the great mount lin range north of Mengtse in Yunnan.” It flowered for the first time in England in July. 1902. and the plant illuscountry in July. 1902. and the plant illustrated is the original, which has not been moved since it was planted out in a seedling state nearly ten years ago. AH the basal leaves are pinnate, and produced on long, stout petioles, while those on the stems gradually diminish in size upward to digitate, ternate and simple leaf-like bracts. The stems are stout and bear a large panicle of rosecoloured flowers, which are slightly fragrant. Later on the stems, petioles and inflorescene assume a dull crimson shade, rendering it a most attractive object. All the Rodgersias -are excellent for the moist and more or less shady portions of the rock garden, and they may also lie grown with success in the shady border or in places where ferns are at home. They are all gross feeders, with thick, woody rhizomes and large foliage; therefore they require a strong, moist soil, but with thorough drainage. The plant illustrated is growing in a peat bed only just above the level of a small water-course, and the water percolates into the bed and keeps it supplied with moisture. Seeds are produced in plenty and they germinate readily, but the seedlings are rather slow in developing. The seeds should be sown in sandy peat, then placed in a little heat, and as soon as the seedlings are large enough they may be pricked off into boxes of the same compost and grown on in a cold frame till large enough to plant out. A white variety of R. pinnata was introduced from Western China in 1904 bv

Messrs Veitch and Sons through their collector. Mr. Wilson. It. resembles the type in all respects except in the colour of its flowers. R. aesculifolia, a plant with digitate leaves and panicles of small white flowers, was also introduced at the same time as the last from Central China. It is stated by Mt. Wilson to be the commonest Chinese species, extending from Central China to the Tibetan frontier. The oldest species, R. podphylla. is a Japanese plant, and is pretty well known, but not so frequently seen in good condition as it deserves to be on account of its handsome foliage, which assumes a lieautiful bronzy appearance in the autumn. The most distint species of F. tabula ris, from Northern China, with large, peltate leaves, which is also -a recent acquisition, and bears panicles of small, whitish flowers. Another but rare species is R. sambucifolia,

from the borders of China and Tibet, with long, pinnate leaves, and growing from 3 feet to 4 feet high. W. IRVING.

SOME AUSTRALIAN ROSES.

By Arthur Moore, Hunters Hill, NJS.W. No doubt, as time rolls on, Australia will take its rightful place as a raiser of typical roses and I think a list would be interesting to readers. Whilst I do not pretend to have compiled anything like an accurate catalogue of such varieties as have been issued, yet I venture to hope that in publishing the names of those known to me, that others wili supplement the list, and that a fairly correct chronicle may be established. There is unfortunately much missing • lata even in this list now published, and if those who can will be so good as to fill up the gaps, much assistance will be rendered to what. I think, is a praiseworthy attempt to establish the name of Australia in the rose world. 1906—H. T.. Australia. C. 11. Kerslake. N.S.W.. raiser. 1906— H.T.. Austral Queen. C. H. Kerslake. N.S.W. 1907— H.P.. Australian Beauty. C. H. Kerslake. N.S.W. 1900—T.. Climbing Countess La.barthe, Royal Nurseries. N.S.W. 1906— T.. Climbing White Maman Coehet. Rookwood Necropolis. N.S.W. 1907— T.. Climbing Maman Coeket, S. A. Lee. N.S.W. 1907— H.T.. Climbing Mme. Jules Grolez. S, A. Lee. N.S.W. T.. Clinrbing Sour. Malmaison, G. Watkins, Queensland. H.T.. Countess of Jersev. Bennett. N.S.W. H.P.. Earl of Hopetoun. H.T.. Earl of Jersey, Bennett. N.S.W. T., General Gordon, Bennett, N.S.W. 1887—Henry S. Badgery, Johnson. Victoria. 1908— H.P.. Lady Chelmsford, IL Wood, Queensland. 1887—T.. Lady Loch. Johnson. Victoria. 159.3—H.T.. Mrs. G. Bl Pitt. Bennett. N.S.W. 1893—T.. Mrs.-®. H. B. Bradley, Ben nett. N.y’W.

1905 —H.T., Mrs. Alister Clarke, A. C lark. Victoria ISS9—T.. Mrs. Charlotte Guilfoyle, John son, Victoria. 1889—T., Mrs. L. C. Lawford. Johnson. Victoria, T., Mrs. F. W. Woodroffe, A. Williams, Queensland. H.T.. Mrs. W. Ewart, A. Williams, Queensland. H.T., Mrs. C. R. Bernays, A. Williams. Queensland. H.T., Miss Rita Peterson. Queensland. Poly, Miss Dorothea Pollock, A. Wil liams, Queensland. 1908—H.T.. cl Drummoyne, Atkins. N.S.W. T.. Miss Evelyn Davey, A. Williams, Queensland. 1904—H.T.. Miss Kate Dwyer, H. Eggin ton. N.S.W.

IJOC —H.T., Penelope. X Williams, Victoria. FT, Pride o-I Runcorn, A. Williams, Queensland. T., Rev. T. C. Cole, Cole, Victoria. .T., Surprise, Queensland. T., Sir Robert Duff, Bennett, N.S.W. 1903 —H.T.. Miss Amy Atkins. Atkins, MS.W.

HORTICULTURAL AND AGRICULTURAL SHOWS.

This list does not include unnamed eeedlings grown and exhibited by Mr. S. Brundrett (Moonee Ponds, Victoria), and G. W. Kershaw, Wahroonga, N.S.W., nor does it indude two of my own raising. Crimson Belle Seibreeht and Sydney H.P, both of which are now in course of propagation. Iff the several roses standing against Bennett's name, it is to be explained that the plants were originally raised in England by H. Bennett, a prolific hybridjser of his day. and on his.death, circa 1892, they became the property of his son, C. Bennett, at that time in business at the Standard Nursery, Homebush, {N.S.W.. and were by him first distributed <o the trade—curiously enough, nene of them seem to have reatiied England. They can. however, all be obtained from Use Manager. Royal Nurseries, Homebush, which I believe is the su.:o=sor in business of the Standard Nursery. Johnson I have located in Victoria, but I have no knowledge of his work or his roses. They are alt also to be obtained from the Royal Nurseries. Of most of these roses I h’ve the pedigrees, but I have not elaborated the matter just here, owing to the. necessity of keeping spaee within bounds. Of Mr. A. Williams' roses, beyond that they exist. I have nothing to sav at present. I mav be able to obtain them and say something later on. J* -J*

We understand the Committee of the Auckland Horticultural Society do not look with favour on our proposal to -hold their Rose Show at Alexandra Park on the same day as the Agricultural Show.

One reason—and a very natural one —is that the Horticultural Society is afraid of losing its identity. We would

be the last to suggest anything which would have such a tendency, but though at first sight this may appear a probable result, it need not be. We do not for a moment suggest amalgamation. What we propose really amounts to paying rent to the Agricultural Society instead of paying for two halls in the city. Our proposition is that the Horticultural Society should make arrangements with the Agricultural Society to erect their tents and hold the rose show in Alexandra Park, charging, say, 6d. admission. We think about 20 to 25 per eent of those in the Park would pay, and that the rose show would be a financial success.

The Agricultural Society might be willing to give the Society a lump sum for the additional attraction. This could very soon be ascertained, and there can be no douut a rose show would be a very great attraction, because many people go there who have no interest in live stock or machinery, and those people spend their time ex amining the exhibits of the nurseryman and florists.

The Agricultural Society is slowly, and we think none the less surely, adding competitions in horticulture to their schedule; and it is our fear, if something is not done, and one soon, the rose show will be superseded by the Agricultural Society. But we may be pulled up ami asked. What about the children’s exhibition? Where is it to be held? We have not forgotten this section by any means. We want to give the children every possible encouragement, and we say provide a tent and have their show at the same time. The time is within sight when there will be a th reeds vs’ show, and we advocate making one big show of the whole.

Of course, the whole subject requires to be carefully thought out. and considered from the standpoint of both Soci-eties,-and it would be a step forward if a committee from both Societies were to meet and go into details. We commend the subject to the attention of both Societies and feel sure a workable arrangement satisfactory to both Societies could be devised if taken up in earnest. VERONICA.