though the Monarda (Bee Balm) is a North American wild flower, vir- 

 tually all garden varieties have been developed in Europe from seed of our 

 native species sent there as early as 1744. It is perhaps significant that we 

 are at long last developing our own garden flowers from our own native 

 species to fit the particular environment found here at home in Northern 

 New England. 



"Granite Pink" Bee Balm attracts both bees and humming birds in 

 large numbers wherever it is grown. Its green-centered, bright pink flowers 

 2-^ inches in diameter literally cover the plants, not just over the top, but 

 down the sides as well, forming a large mound of color in the garden 

 starting about July 15th and not ending until September 1st. The plants are 

 outstanding, not only for their unusually long period of bloom, but also 

 for their ability to grow on wet or dry, heavy or light soils of moderate fer- 

 tility. Bee Balms spread rapidly by stolons making large round clumps 

 that may be divided to form new clumps frequently, if desired, or left to 

 form one large, sohd mass of pink flowers. This perennial is hardy without 

 winter protection in most gardens as far north as Canada. 



Increase of Monarda "Granite Pink" is under way and it is hoped that 

 there will be plants available for everyone at local nurseries within three 

 years' time. 



E. B. RiSLEY 



Two Late Lilac Varieties Named 



Two late blooming lilacs have been named during the past year. Both 

 are seedlings of the variety Royalty. The first, named Anna Amhoff, is a 

 white variety blooming about two weeks later than ordinary lilacs. The 

 flowers are white when fully opened but have a light pink cast while still in 

 the unopened stage. The second variety, Nellie Bean, a purple variety also 

 blooming two weeks later than common lilacs, has proved very vigorous 

 and productive. Both varieties are excellent landscape plants and make the 

 third of a trio which includes James MacFarlane, a pink variety named 

 several years ago now being propagated by a considerable number of nur- 

 series. Propagating wood of the two new varieties is now available, but 

 it will be some time before the plants are available to the general public. 



A. F. Yeager, E. B. Risley 



Progress in Breeding Rambler Roses for Cold Climates 



Rambler roses of high quality, possessing winter hardiness sufficient to 

 permit survival of the canes without protection throughout all of the north- 

 eastern United States, are being developed at the University of New Hamp- 

 shire Horticulture Farm. Skinners Rambler, a "wild" appearing, single 

 pink flowered rose with twenty foot canes that are hardy in Manitoba, Can- 

 ada, forms the base for the breeding work. This summer, flowers were seen 

 on 46 of its descendants and it is expected that the majority of 200 more 

 will bloom in 1955. Of those that flowered this year, 4 may prove worthy 

 for distribution and others are being used for further breeding. These 4 

 include an 85 petal pink, a light yellow, and 2 whites, all doubled flowered 

 and vigorous. 



E. B. Risley 



36 



