51G 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTTCULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
June  11,  1903. 
Pillar  Roses. 
Tliis  class  of  Roses  is  one  to  which  little  attention  is  given  by 
writers  in  the  Rose  eoliiinns  of  our  gardening  journals,  andi  a  few 
notes  on  the  selection  of  suitable  subjects  will  be  welcomed  by 
any  who  intend  planting  a  few  when  the  proper  season  for  doing 
so  has  arrived.  A  well  grown  pillar  Rose  is  very  striking  in 
appearance,  and  niKjUestionably  there  is  nothing  so  handsome  or 
more  beautiful  when  it  is  covered  with  wealth  of  blossom  and 
foliage. 
If  one  Avislu's  to  succeed  with  them  one  must  he  prepared  to 
give  them  every  attention,  to  make  a  study  of  their  habits  of 
growth,  and  the  nece.ssary  pruning  to  bring  them  to  a  state  of 
perfection.  No  one  can  really  admire  a  pillar  Ro.se  when,  throufdi 
neglect,  the  plant  is  nothing  hut  bare  stems  for  half  its  height 
or  more,  and  tin'  blossoms  on  it  arc'  also  poor.  Like'  most  other 
Roses  tlie  pillar  Rose  reciuires  eareful  pruning  at  the  proper 
time,  according  to  habit  of  growth,  attention  a.s  regards  evatering 
during  very  dry  periods,  and  liberal  feeding  at  intervals.  It  is 
hardly  necessary  in  this  article  to  make  any  remarks  about  plant¬ 
ing,  cither  than'to  advise  the  careful  selection  of  strong  materials 
for  making  the  pillars,  and  to  see  that  thc'se  are  firmly  embedded 
in  the  ground,  otherwise  one  lays  oiu'self  open  to  the  disappoint¬ 
ment  some  fine  clav  of  finding  that  a  strong  wind  has  laid  them 
on  the  ground,  and  that  none  too  gently.  'I’his  generally  happens 
when  thc^y  are  at  their  best  and  heav.y  with  an  abundance  of 
blossom. 
One  hardly  knows  what  to  commence  with  in  inaking  a 
selection  of  varieties,  there  being  so  many  c'Cjually  suitable  for 
the  purpose.  Perhaps  some  of  the  double  kinds  that  are  also 
useful  for  cutting  h'om  .should  receive  one’s  fir.st  consideration. 
Ard’s  Rover. — This  crimson  Rose,  with  nu).st  distinct  foliage, 
bears  many  hancl.'-ome  blossoms  that  are  most  useful  for  all  pur¬ 
poses  in  a  cut  state. 
Arcl’s  Pillar. — A  rich,  velvety  crimson,  admirabl,v  adapted  for 
a  pillar  Rose,  as  its  name  implies.  It  is  comparatively  little 
known  as  yet,  but  will  certainly  become  a  favourite  before  long, 
there  being  nothing  to  ecjual  it  in  foliage,  flower,  or  vigorous- 
growth. 
Boule  de  Neige. — Pure  white,  bearing  very  freely. 
Roiuiuet  d'Or. — A  superb  bright  yellow  of  medium  .size,  very 
pretty  and  fragrant. 
Cheshunt  Hybrid. — Most  suitable,  being  hardy  and  vigorous. 
Hanclsomo  when  in  bud,  large  and  full  in  flower,  cherry  carmine. 
(iloire  de  Dijon.-  Fawn,  tinged  salmon  in  centre,  is  one  of 
the  best  Roses  eye  have  ;  being  useful  for  almost  any  purpose,  is 
a  general  favourite. 
General  Jaccjueminot. — Another  old  favourite,  not  often 
grown  a.s  a  pillar  Rose,  but  most  usc'ful  for  the  purpose,  brilliant 
scarlet  crimson. 
John  Hopper. — Bright  rose  in  colour,  full  and  well  formed. 
Mavournc'en. — Delicate  silvery  flesh  white,  excellent  shape 
and  substance,  vigorous  and  free  flowering  habit. 
Madame  Pierre  C'oehet. — Deep  yellow,  very  fine,  really  an 
improved  “W.  A.  Richardson. 
Monsieur  Desir. — Velvety  crimson  of  good  form.  This  per¬ 
haps  should  not  be  recommended,  but  whei'O  it  succeeds  a,s  a pdlar 
it  IS  exceedingly  handsome. 
Reine  INIarie  Henriette.— One  of  the  best  climbing  red  Roses, 
succeeding  well  on  a  pillar. 
Wm.  Allen  Richardson. — Deep  orange  yellow,  a  general 
favourite  that  does  well  on  a  pillar,  except  that  it  often  has  a 
Avashed  out  appearance  from  the  effects  of  the  sun. 
The  C'rim.'.on  Rambler  is  a  most  suitable  subject  for  a  pillar, 
and  is  so  popular  as  to  need  no  description  here.  Others  of 
similar  type  are  e(iuallv  useful,  such  as  Aglaia  (the  yellow 
rambler),  ‘d’halia  (the  wllite  rambler),  Fuphrosyne  (the  pink 
rambler),  Psvche  (pale  rosy  pink,  suffused  at  base  with  salmon 
and  yellow),  Helene  (delieatc  violet).  Gardenia  Flora  (double  .snoAV 
white),  very  pretty,  and  the  Dawson  Rose  (an  American  variety), 
semi-double,  .soft  pale  rose,  dark  green  shining  foliage. 
Madame.  d’Arblay.— Is  a  Hybrid  Musk,  white,  bears  an 
abundance  of  blossoms  in  clusters,  very  hardy  and  sweetly 
scented.  .  • 
Varieties  toO'  numerous  to  mention  occur  among  the  Lliina, 
Bourbon.  Ayrshire,  Boursault.  Banksian,  and  evergreen  classes. 
Yet  another  class  among  Avhich  are  many  most  useful  varieties 
is  the  Penzance  Briar  section.  The.se  are  becoming  very  popular, 
so  in  closing  this  article,  to  mention  a  few  Avill  not  be  out  of 
place-  Amv  Robsart.  deep  rose;  Anne  of  Gier.stein.  dark  crim¬ 
son;  Catherine  Seyton,  .soft  rosy  pink;  Jeannie  Deans,  large 
semi-double  scarlet  crimson ;  Lady  Penzance,  copper  tinted ; 
Minnia,  large  pure  white  ;  Lord  Penzance,  soft  fawn.  All  these 
Hybrid  Briars  are  very  vigorous,  sweetly  .scented,  and  produce 
groat  clusters  of  bloom.  As  the  flowers  are  produced  upon  the 
preceding  year’s  growth,  they  reciuire  but  verv-  little  pruning,  it 
being  only  nece.s,sarv  to  thin  out  the  shoots,  leaving  the  remaiiider 
at  full  length.-  J.  W.  J.,  Oswestry. 
Greenhouse  Plants:  Primula  obconica. 
This  b.v  .some  is  called  the  eczema  plant,  since  so  many  have 
suffered  from  a.  form  of  that  troublesome  complaint  when  the.v 
have  handled  tlu'  leaves  in  the  course  of  gathering  the  flower 
.snikes,  or  removing  dead  or  decaying  leaves  and  floAver  stalks. 
To  persons  possc'ssed  of  delicate  skin,  and  a.  constitution 
liable  to  taint  from  irritating  foliage,  there  is  certainl.v  a.  need 
for  avoiding  either  the  cultiv.ation  of  the  Primula  or  contact 
Avith  it,  unle.s.s  the  hands  and  arms  are  protected  by  gloves  Avhile 
the  necessar.v  attendance  has  to  be  given.  There  are  .still  man.v 
people  Avho  pooh  pooh  the  idea  that  eczema  can  be  produced  by 
Primula,  obconica,  but  I  have  not  the  slightest  doubt  but  that 
this  is  absoIut(’ly  true.  A  member  of  my  OAvn  famil.y  la.st  year 
had  occasion  to  reumve  decaying  leaves  from  one  of  these  used 
as  a  AvindoAv  plant;  a  fcAV  da.vs  later  medical  aid  had  to  be  sought, 
and  the  severe  irritation  of  the  .skin  of  the  patient  Avas  at  ouco 
diagnosed  as  ec-zema.  The  doctor  himself  had  heard  of  similar 
ca..se,s,  and  liad  handh'd  the  plants  himself  Avith  the  hope  that  he 
might  “  produce  a  case  ”  ;  but  his  effort  failed  him.  It  is  nothing 
less  than  a  misfortune  that  so  useful  a  plant  should  have  a  trait 
so  aAV('-inviting ;  but  though  there  lurks  this  feeling  in  the  use  of 
tile  plant,  there  is  certainly  an  ample  sufficiency  of  merit  about 
P.  obconica  to  demand  some  attention  from  the  cultivator,  and  if 
gloved  hands  manipulate  the  leaves,  there  is  no  need  for  any 
disease  to  result  from  its  groAvth. 
That  no  scare  attaches  to  the  gardening  community,  as  a 
Avhole,  is  plainly  proved  by  the  several  superior  strains  and  new 
selections  brought  before  the  purchasing  public  by  the  trade 
groAvers  and  seedsmen  of  late.  I  have  myself  for  several  .seasons 
been  selecting  for  deep  coloured  floAvers,  and  noAV  have  a  large 
batch  destined,  some  for  pot  purposes,  others  for  the  floAver 
bods.  In  this  latter  u.se  there  is  as  yet  an  aspect  of  noA-elty,  for 
so  fi'AV  Avoiild  appear  succe.ssful  in  getting  enough  stock  from 
purchased  seed.  SoAvn  as  soon  as  ripe,  avc  find  no  difficulty  in 
getting  a  good  percentage  to  germinate,  but  front  purchased 
.seeds  I  have  never  obtained  more  than  sufficient  for  pot  culture. 
This  experience  is  true  not  only  of  P.  obconica,  but  others  of  the 
Primrose  family.  Polyanthus  and  garden  Primrose  not  less  than 
others  of  more 'rarity'.  It  is  by  no  means  free  in  .seed  production 
Avithout  tlie  aid  of  insect  life,  or  the  camel-hair  brush,  and  there 
are  so  many  that  are  termed  pin-eyed  and  .so  feAV  Avith  thrum 
eyes.  This  Avould,  in  a.  measure,  probably  account  for  this 
sterility  of  seed  groAvth. 
The.y  ore  naturally  somoAvliat  sIoav  in  groAvth,  at  least  in  their 
earl.v  stages  of  advance;  and  Avhen  the  sIoav  and  often  tedious 
Avaiting  for  seed  germination  is  considered,  there  need  be  an  early 
start  made  to  procure  strong  floAvering  plants  by  the  autumn.  This 
is  much  simplified  by  .soAving  in  midsummer;  then  a.  longer  span 
can  be  taken,  there  is  less  Avorrj-  as  to  the  ultimate  results,  and 
finer  plants  are  provided  for  the  Avinter  season.  They  may  (luito 
easily  be  increased  by  diA'ision,  and  retained,  if  nccessarj-,  for 
several  years.  My  original  plant  of  a  dark  shade  was  retained, 
and  .seed  saA-ed  from  it  for  four  seasons,  though  I  Avill  not  sa.y  its 
vigour  or  display  approached  in  any  sense  that  of  the  progeny. 
Compared  Avith  the  large-floAvered  and  deep-coloured  .strains  iioaa' 
available,  the  old  lilac-tinted  forms  are  not  worth  growing,  and 
have  not  a  tithe  of  the  .same  value  in  a  cultural  or  decorative 
sense. 
At  Tyntesfield,  near  Bristol,  I  saw  last  autumn  some  un¬ 
commonly  fine  plants  of  an  excellent  stock,  not  of  any  uiufonu 
colour  but  varied  in  character  of  groAvth  and  floAver.  borne  of 
these  had  a  distinctly  dark  ring  round  the  ej-c,  which  made  them 
very  attractive  and  .striking;  as  Avere  the  large  healthy  plants 
arranged  by  Mr.  Wilkinson  round  the  side  stages  of  the  spacious 
conservatory  or  Avinter  garden.  Fibry  loam,  rendered  porou.s  and 
SAveet  by  additions  of  leaf  soil  and  peat,  about  equal  parts  of  eacli, 
Avill  usually  giA'c  a  good  return  of  healthy  seedlings,  if  care  i.s 
taken  to  sliade  from  direct  .sun,  and  the  compost  is  kept  uniformly, 
though  not  exce.s.sivelv,  moist.  Droughty  .soil  is  sure  to  have 
a  bad  effect  in  the  germinating  stage;  but  when  they  have 
advanced  to  the  second  leaf,  they  will  usually  make  lieadway. 
Ours  AA’ere  pricked  out  into  shalloAV  boxes,  and  alloAied  to  remain 
all  the  Avinter  in  the.'^e,  standing  on  a  shelf  in  a  cold  house.  In 
March  they  Avere  potted  singly,  and  at  bedding  time  they  'viro 
strong  in  liAaf  and  flower.  Potted  into  suitable  sizes  these  will 
make  pot  plants  almost  as  large  as  could  be  desired  by  the  autumn, 
and  that,  too,  without  any  particular  effort  or  even  frame  accom¬ 
modation.  Needless  to  'say  that,  when  full  of  root  and  floAver. 
feeding  with  stimulating  food  is  a  necessary  item  to  maintain 
their  health  and  vigour  of  leaf  and  flower.- A\  .  Strugnell. 
