NEW CRIMSON ROSES

Evening Star, Issue 22460, 3 October 1936, Page 23

NEW CRIMSON ROSES

For some years now we have been waiting for the ideal crimson rose, and I should not like to say we have it yet. Great advances have, however, been made the last year or so, and one or two varieties are decidedly good (writes a contributor to ‘ Popular Gardening,’ London). W. E. Chaplin has been on the market for seven years, and has stood the test of time. It is a vigorous grower, and the blooms are usually of perfect shape and open well in ' all weathers. It is a deep crimson, and retains its colour well in all seasons, but the perfume is not very pronounced. The older Mrs Henry Winnett is sweeter, of good form, and rather darker in colour, but not quite so vigorous and free. To come to the newer ones, I had great hopes of Colonel Sharman Crawford. This has the old rose perfume, and the colour, a rich velvety crimson with darker shadings, does not blue readily, whilst, although the blooms might be a little fuller, the fine petals make the flower shapely. I do not find it too good a “ doer,” but I feel I must increase my stock. Crimson Glory is rather fuller (about 35 petals) , and, I think, will prove more vigorous. It opens well, is long lasting, and has a beautiful perfume. The colour is bright scarlet crimson with maroon shadings. I wish it were a little longer in the, petals. Destiny (about 30 .petals) has blooms of fine form and moderate size, and, although the colour is rather brighter than the last-named, it is of somewhat similai shadings. It promises to be free and vigorous, but the perfume is nothing like so pronounced as that of Crimson Glorv. A newcomer, from the Continent is Fritz Hooger. It is early to speak of this yet, but the blooms I have had are very’pointed, of good form, and contain over 50 petals. They open well in spite of rain. If it proves to be vigorous and free, it will be a rose we shall want. It is a deep scarlet crimson with darker tonings towards the base of the petals, but the colour is not so lively as I should like to see, and the perfume is almost negligible. For buttonholes 1 recommend Duchess of Montrose, a rich velvety dark crimson variety, very sweetly scented and shapely. Although on the thin side, it makes an attractive buttonhole rose if cut in the opening stages. To the exhibitor who wants a rose that will not show centre I commend Malar Ros. It is a large, full rose with

a high-pointed centre, deep crimson m colour, and one of the sweetest scented roses I know. With me it is upright in growth, and vigorous. Those who like a dark rose should try Night, a deep blackish-crimson* sweet and of good form. It is, unfow Innately, rather addicted to mildew, and in strong sun the colour sometiniea burns. It is too early for me to speak of Christopher Stone, but lovely dark colour, large petals, and rich perfume is sure to make it popular. It holds its colour w?ll, but is unfortunately too thin. It should make a good bedder.