CLIMBING BANKSIAN ROSE 43 



Climbing Roses for the conservatory must not be 

 overlooked. Is there any Rose, or any kind of flower 

 whatever, more delicately lovely than a Marshal Niel? 

 It is exactly fifty years since this Rose was introduced 

 to the public. Of unknown parentage, with a habit, 

 foliage, and flowers that distinguish it from all other 

 Roses, deliciously fragrant, perfect in form and colour, 

 the Marchal stands out by itself. It requires skill to 

 get the plant to do its best, but, when that is accom- 

 plished, what a glorious best it is ! I have seen it planted 

 to replace Grape Vines in a large vinery, and the 

 plants in winter produced flowers literally in thousands. 

 That was forty years ago, when a good Marechal Neil bud 

 was sold for sixpence. It is one of the very best forcing 

 Roses, but one of the worst for mildew. Still, it is no 

 doubt first among climbing varieties for the greenhouse 

 to-day. Next to it would come Gloire de Dijon, older 

 even than the Marechal. Dean Hole has said, "Were I 

 condemned to have but one rose for the rest of my life, 

 I should ask for a strong plant of Gloire de Dijon." It is 

 a sturdy grower, produces flowers by the hundred, and 

 stands glasshouse treatment well. William Allen Richard- 

 son has similar qualities. Its flowers are smaller, but in 

 bud they are delightful, and their colour, two shades of 

 orange or orange and cream, is pleasing. Whilst being 

 at home in the open where Roses will grow, it is good 

 as a greenhouse climber. It is an excellent button-hole 

 flower. 



One of the best climbing Roses where it gets what it 

 wants, and one of the least satisfactory where the condi- 

 tions are unfavourable, is the Banksia Rose. The Rev. J. H. 

 Pemberton recently wrote in the Garden that *' it is the most 



