SOME OF THE NEWER SWEET PEAS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVIII, Issue 21, 20 November 1912, Page 40

SOME OF THE NEWER SWEET PEAS.

(By

THOMAS STEVENSON.)

A year ago there were many people pessimistic enough to forecast the decline in popular favour of the sweet pea, but up to the present there is no evidence of decline, if one can judge by the number of inquiries received as to which varieties, both new and old, are the best to grow for 1913. Certainly, the practice of autumn sowing is very much more general than it was even two or three years ago, which goes to show that the results obtained from such sowings are quite satisfactory. Generally speaking, sweet peas have done better this season than in 1911, consequently we have been better able to judge the merits of the varieties, many of which have proved even better than was anticipated. Considerable advance is still being made in the matter of new varieties, though there is nothing so outstanding as in some seasons. But we must remember that the number of good varieties and colours that have been recently introduced makes it a matter of some difficulty to secure really distinct novelties, so that we must be satisfied if new varieties are really improvements on existing ones, without

being distinct in colour. As a good instance of this I would here mention Breadmore’s Re-selected Countess Spencer, which, as I anticipated, is a distinct advance on an old favourite, and has proved one of the best and most continuous bloomers, giving considerably larger flowers than the original stock. As I have mentioned more than once, there is considerable room for an improvement in the whites. White King (A. Dickson and Sons) may prove the variety we want, but this we cannot have until 1914. And we must also wait for Constance Hinton (Dr Hinton); this variety, though giving a shade of pink in the standard of the young flowers, is, I think, decidedly an improvement, and it is quite white enough to show in a collection, the size and quality of the blooms being quite up to exhibition standard. White Queen (G. Stark and Son) must be our stand-by until we can have the two previously mentioned, and

even then this will want a lot of beating, as it is exceptionally vigorous, and gives four good flowers on the stem practically every time, and always well placed. Among eream varieties Do'bbie’s Cream (Dobbie and Co.) must take a very high position, being a sturdy grower, and giving good solid-looking flowers, but even now it does not surpass the popular Clara Curtis, which is a little deeper in colour and a little more frilled. Crimson Giant (B. W. Deal) is a very fine crimson variety, not so much waved as Sunproof Crimson, but of a distinct shade of colour and very large, though not one of the best to give four blooms on a stem. Recent introductions in the bright rose section are a decided gain to cultivators, and Edith Taylor (Sydenham and Holmes) is, I should say, one of the best peas introduced for the past three or four years. A. A. Fabius (Alsen) and Aggie Elder (Bieadmore) are identical; under either name it is a very fine pea, the colour, a brilliant rose, being equally effective for decoration and exhibition. Kathleen (B. W. Deal) is even brighter than -the three abovenamed, and may be described as cerise. Having grown this for two years, I cannot speak too highly of it. The blooms are not of the largest size, but the plant is a good grower and is very floriferous, while the colour is striking from quite

a distance. It does not burn, neither are the flowers damaged by the bad weather to any serious extent. Mr B. Deal has a more waved form of this. Very fine also is Bertrand Deal (B. W. Deal) the flowers rose-mauve. There are, again, several additions to the cream-pink section, but, being so closely alike in colour, it is a difficult matter to recommend them individually. Queen Mary (Messrs E. W. King and Co.), one of last season’s introductions, is a veritable giant, and for exhibition purposes it is excellent, and might be described as an improvement on Mrs Routzahn, though not so prone to give double standards. Another exceptionally good pale cream-pink is Lilian (Holmes and Sydenham) ; in colour it is between Zarina and Mrs Routzahn. It is a good grower, makes an excellent bunch, and, though not so large in the flower as Queen Mary, it has the advantage of keeping rather longer in stem. Lady Miller (Dobbie) is a very beautiful pea in this section, and will prove one of the most useful for decorative purposes. In the darker shades of eream-pink Minnie Furnell (Alsen) is, I think, rather better than Doris Usher, the colour and size of flower being a little in advance of it. Wenvoe Beauty, a variety I saw at Cardiff, is the brightest and best of all this section, but as I understand it is not yet fixed enough to distribute, it seems almost premature to speak about it, but it is too good a variety to lose sight of. In addition to the really decided or defined shades of pink, there are several others of equal beauty, such as Andrew Aiken (R. Bolton), Grace Darling (E AV. King), Juliet (B. W. Deal), Winifred Improved (B. W. Deal), Fair Maid Improved (G. .Stark and Son), and Mrs Stewart ( hampion (S. Bide and Sons), all of which are distinct from one another, and certainly, if not quite up to exhibition standard in size of flower they are among the very best for delicate decorative schemes. Zarina is sueh a well-known and distinct variety that the mere mention of a good Spencer form of it should be sufficient; this waved form is one of Mr Holmes’ raising, and is being distributed by Mr Robert Sydenham. W. P. Wright (W. J. Unwin), though only distributed last year, has already made a name for itself as the very best pale blue. It is one of the strongest growers, and when the plants are in good order it is. difficult to find a stem with only three blooms, fours or fives being the usual number. It is certainly an acquisition, especially for those who like delicate shades of colour. Amethyst (Sutton and Sons) I noted as being a very good variety, and, though not quite a self blue, it will, I think, prove a useful addition to this section, as will also the same firm’s Southcote Blue, which, if somewhat smaller in flower, is a better blue, and is very like a seedling of Mr Holmes’ that I grew this year. Marks Tey (Dobbie and Co.), though not a blue, has a certain amount of this colour in it. being almost a blue and bronzy-red bicolour; it is very pleasing in the bunch, a giant in growth and in flower, and should make a good exhibition variety. A sweet pea that pleases me very much, both for garden decoration and exhibition purposes, is Loyalty (G. Stark and Son), a blue flake, but of such colour in the bunch that it is well worth growing, even in a small collection. There are several varieties quite near this, but just lacking in the shade of colour that makes it so commendable. Agricola is a variety of a large size, being white with a flush of lilac or pale violet, and for those who like these tinted peas it is the one variety to grow. Birdbrook (R. Bolton) is also a very fine sweet pea, and for form and size is probably the best of the year, but as it is a flake (finely veiled chocolate on a white ground), it may not become so popular as some of the self colours. There is not a great deal fresh to record among the scarlets. Most of last year’s introductions have turned out well, my own choice being in favour of Scarlet Emperor, but I think it probable that Dobbie’s Scarlet will prove to be a little larger in the flower, while Premier (G. Stark and Son) is quite distinct in colour. As a decorative variety True Lavender (Dobbie and Co.) will no doubt take a prominent place, the colour being exceptionally soft, while the same firm’s selected stock of Lavender George Herbert should provide us with our best exhibition pea in that colour. R. F. Felton. one of Mr Bolton’s last season’s introductions, is a grand sweet pea, in

fset, one of the best for exhibition purposes, |>rovided it is not disbudded too freely: as this is distinctly a rosy-laven-der, I think there is room for both of these fine varieties. Mrs Cuthbertson (Dobbie and Co.). a pink anil white bicolour, well sustains the good opinion formed of it last season, and is easily the strongest grower and best flower in its class, though, like R. F. Felton, it must not be overgrown. The variety Thomas Stevenson Iras been in such form and in such quantity this post season that it needs no comment from me. except to say that it will be interesting to test the two stocks. Holmes’ and Dobbte’s, to see which is actually the best under general cultivation. There seems to be nothing to challenge this variety’s position at the head of its colour class at present, though in the Earl Spencer section there are several varieties that are said to supersede those already in commerce. Melba (Dobbie and Co.) and Barbara (Holmes) are both good flowers, and seem likely to keep their position until some clever cross fertiliser- of the sweetpea gives them to us in sunproof form. There are signs that this is coming, as I have seen one or two seedlings that appear sunproof, but a summer like 1911 might dispel all our hopes. Inspector (Dobbie and Co.) gives a great number of double standard flowers. consequently it appears very bright, and makes a good bunch; the colour is similar to that of Earl Spencer. King Alfred (Breadnrore) is an exceptionally large orange-pink variety, and might be described as between Anglian Pink and Anglian Orange in colour. Lady Curzon (Breadmore) is a decided improvement on Menie Christie, but it is more of a bicolour than a self. Rose Diamond (Aldersey and Jones) is a very bright pea, very similar in colour to Inspector. Anglian Fairy (E. W. King and Co.) is another of those very delicate sweet peas so useful for decoration, and may best be described as a Sybil Eekford Spencer, but the colouring is even more subtle than that variety, a shade of green being distinctly noticeable

Coronation (R. Bolton) is a variety not quite so well-known as Charles Foster, Dorothy, and Prince George, but it is nevertheless well worth growing: it pleases me even better than the two latter: the colour is apricot, with a touch of rose or pink in it. It is very pretty, and after a few hours in water it makes an exceptionally good bunch. 'Annabella Lee (Alsen) is very similar to Dorothy, but. as growing here, it does not shorten in the stem so quickly, and the flowers come rather better spaced, the last-named often coming very much in pairs and close together. The dark varieties are augmented eaeh season, and the three most noticeable novelties are Brunette (Dobbie and Co.), a deep mahogany self, and very distinct; King Manoel (G. Stark and Son), a very deep maroon of large size; and Mrs Cowdy (R. Bolton), best described as an improved Black Knight Spencer. Either of these should prove a welcome addition to any collection.—“ Gardener’s Magazine.’’