Bloomfield Courage. Rambler (1925.) Vigorous but adaptable climbing 
type, and a striking pillar rose, in constant bloom. Its small single flowers are of 
dark velvety red, with light centers and prominent yellow staemens, borne in large 
clusters. For maximum brilliancy and sparkle, we like it best in full sun. No bad 
habits, outstanding; highly recommended. 1.50 
Cardinal de Richelieu. Gallica. (1840.) ‘Oh I don’t like blue roses,” 
say some of our visitors, and to them, the Cardinal will not appeal. Its small double 
flowers, open violet-red, then pass through blues and purples to velvety black. Not 
for the hybrid tea lover, but deserves a place in every “advanced” rose garden. 1.75 
Castilian. Rose of Castile. (Ancient.) And now comes the first real test 
of our introductory promise to “tell the whole truth about a rose.” This ancient 
variety has been a specialty in the Lester Gardens from the beginning, and it seems 
a sacrilege for this writer to say he likes it only for its great historical interest and 
sweet smell. Given the right growing conditions, the semi-double, deep pink blooms, 
clean foliage, and antiquity would keep it on the preferred list, but because of the 
moisture in our spring air, just an occasional bloom opens to perfection. The many 
loyal friends of the old Rose of Castile must forgive me if my personal vote is 
only “maybe.” 1.75 
Chaplin’s Pink Climber. Says its originator, Chaplin Bros. Ltd., Wal- 
tham Cross, England, in 1933, “A very striking pink, maintaining its colour 
to the last. Produces large trusses of medium-sized semi-double flowers, which 
remain on the plants for a long time, from the middle of June onwards, with 
occasional flowers in the autumn, altogether making a grand display. Handsome, 
glossy foliage and quite hardy. Awards—Gold Medal, N.R.S., Cory Cup for the 
best new climbing rose, Award of Merit, Royal Horticultural Society. It is the 
best pink climber ever raised.” Pretty strong statement for a conservative Britisher, 
we agree, but its beauty on the summer house this spring places it among our favor- 
ite climbers. 1.75 
Chestnut Rose. (China.) R. Roxburghi. (1825.) Probably the most 
unique rose in our gardens, and one of the most beautiful. Vigorous, upright grower, 
with rich green foliage resembling the leaves of the locust tree, abundantly grown 
from the gray-green stalks. Ours is the double variety, about 21 inch blooms of a 
lovely but indescribable rose-pink, shading lighter to the edges. “They resemble 
the French artificial roses we used to wear on our straw hats,” says Mrs. Keays, in 
“Old Roses.” Both buds and hips are so covered with bristles as to closely resemble 
a chestnut burr. With us, always in bloom; a truly remarkable rose. 2.00 
Clytemnestra. H.Moschata. (1915.) Spreading, bushy habit; very attract- 
ive, healthy foliage. Flowers in large clusters of pale pink, semi-double blooms, 
all season, but best in fall. Has only one fault, “it holds its dead.” Very worth- 
while for the “tidy” gardener, with clippers frequently in hand, but not for the 
“rocking-chair” kind. | 1.75 
107 
