October  16,  1902. 
355 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
Some  Pillar  Roses. 
There  are  several  things  that  already  remind  us'  of  the 
approaching  autumn  and  winter.  The  days  are  already  much 
shorter,  the  leaves  are  beginning  to  fall,  and  the  ingathering  of 
the  fruits  of  the  earth  are  amongst  these  reminders.  The  interest 
of  many  will  soon  be  centred  on  preparing  for  and  planting  of 
Roses.  There  are  now  so  many  sections  of  Roses  that  may  be 
used  in  so  many  different  ways  that  it  is  not  always  an  easy 
matter,  especially  for  a  beginner,  to  decide  what  will  be  the  most 
satisfactory  to  plant. 
In  these  notes,  however,  we  only  intend  to  deal  with  that 
section  of  Roses  that  are  very  popular,  and  deservedly  so,  at  the 
present  time,  pillar  Roses.  The  place  of  honour  must  be  given 
to  Crimson  Rambler  (1893),  even  if  it  is  sometimes  decried. 
There  is  no  Rose  of  recent  introduction  that  has  had  such  a 
distribution,  or  become  so  popular  as  this.  Not  only  do  we  find 
it  in  the  gardens  of  the  rich,  but  also  in  cottage  gardens,  where 
it  is  much  prized.  It  is  a  most  accommodating  Rose,  as  it  may 
be  used  in  so  many  different  ways  with  equally  good  effect  ;  but 
for  arches  and  pillars  it  is  an  ideal  Rose.  When  properly  pruned, 
its  large  clusters  of  flowers  are  produced  all  round  the  pillars, 
from  near  the  ground  line  to  the  top.  The  flowering  period  will 
extend  over  several  weeks;  indeed,  a  few  may  be  found  quite 
late  into  the  autumn.  To  obtain  the  best  results,  however,  it  must 
have  good  treatment. 
Alister  Stella  Gray  is  not  such  a  strong  grower  as  the  above, 
but  it  makes  a  beautiful  pillar  Rose.  The  flowers  are  produced 
in  large  clusters — pale  yellow  with  orange  centre,  almost  white 
when  fully  expanded.  It  is  a  very  chaste  Rose,  and  should  be 
included  where  pillar  Roses  are  prized.  For  autumn  bloom¬ 
ing  it  is  one  of  the  best,  and  has  been  particularly  good  this 
autumn. 
In  Airnee  Vibert  we  have  one  of  our  oldest  Noisette  Roses, 
Although  it  is  often  used  for  arches  and  pillars,  it  does  not 
lend  itself  so  readily  as  do  many  others,  being,  perhaps,  more 
suitable  for  rambling  over  a  bank,  or  pegging  down  and  forming 
a  large  bush.  Gloire  de  Dijon  is  too  well  known  to  need  any 
description.  No  doubt  this  is  the  most  familiar  of  all  Roses, 
its  hardiness  and  free  flowering  character  making  it  suitable  for 
all  to  grow.  Grown  more  on  walls  than  any  other  Rose,  perhaps, 
but  it  also  makes  a  good  pillar  specimen. 
Reine  Marie  Henriette,  often  called  a  Red  Gloire,  is  not  so 
well  known.  It  is  a  free  grower,  and  gives  some  beautiful  blooms. 
They  are  globular,  rather  loose,  and  sweetly  scented.  If  it 
flowered  as  freely  as  the  White  Gloire,  its  usefulness  would  be 
greatly  enhanced.  I  find  it  very  subject  to  attacks  of  mildew. 
Another  good  i’ed  pillar  Rose  is  to  be  found  in  Reine  Olga  de 
Wurtemburg.  A  very  strong  grower,  with  large  leaves  and 
semi-double  flowers,  but  it  does  not  appear  to  be  a  very  free 
bloomer.  The  Waltham  Climbers  are  excellent,  and  these  I  will 
have  something  to  say  about  in  your  next  issue. — J.  S.  U. 
Roses  at  Coventry. 
When  on  a  visit  (early  in  September)  to  the  “  City  of  Spires,” 
an  opportunity  was  afforded  to  make  a  visit  to  the  rosarium  of 
Messrs.  Perkins  and  Sons.  This  firm  has  a  newly  acquired  site, 
situate  about  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  home  establishment,  in 
close  proximity  to  the  railway  station.  To  the  florist  especially 
the  names  of  Perkins  and  Coventry  are  synonymous,  as  the 
mention  of  one  is  a  reminder  of  the  other.  A  pleasant  drive 
through  devious  lanes  landed  us  at  the  venue  in  question,  amidst 
purely  pastoral  scenery. 
The  Rose  nursery  consists  of  about  twelve  acres  of  old  grass 
land,  fully  exposed,  with  a  gentle  trend  towards  the  north-west, 
and  as  yet  is  devoid  of  sheltering  hedges  to  protect  the  Roses 
from  the  fierce  winterly  winds.  Such  necessary  screens,  however, 
are  in  contemplation  to  be  formed,  principally  of  Beech.  No 
material  harm  has  been  experienced.  The  staple  soil  is 
admirably  adapted  for  Rose  cultui-e,  as  evidenced  by  the  wonder¬ 
fully  vigorous  growth  of  every  plant,  whether  Hybrid  Perpetual, 
Tea,  or  Hybrid  Tea.  The  soil  is  composed  of  a  strong,  unctuous, 
reddish  loam,  of  about  3ft  in  depth,  superimposing  a  deep 
stratum  of  clay,  rendered  friable  by  exposure  to  frost.  My 
guide,  the  elder  member  of  the  firm,  and  an  ardent  rosarian,  I 
found  actively  engaged  in  superintending  that  all-important 
employment,  “budding,”  prior  to  departing  for  a  well-earned 
holiday. 
The  principal  stock  used  for  dwarf-trained  Roses  is  the 
seedling  Briar,  also  Briars  from  cuttings,  and  comparatively 
little  difference  was  perceptible  in  their  strength,  or  of  the 
quality  of  the  Roses  grown  upon  them.  The  Manetti  stock  is 
also  largely  employed,  likewise  the  Grifferse,  of  which  Mr.  Perkins 
has  a  high  estimation  for  certain  varieties  of  Roses,  rendering 
them  almost  mildew  proof.  To  the  uninitiated,  the  process  of 
budding  on  the  dwarf  stocks  in  question  is  interesting  and 
puzzling,  the  bud  being  inserted  close  to  the  ground,  below  the 
tangled  masses  of  Briar  shoots  of  two  seasons’  growth.  The 
great  desiderata  is  to  keep  newly  inserted  buds  from  making 
growth  before  the  spring  season,  when  the  masses  of  Briar  shoots 
ar  entirely  cut  away,  so  that  the  dormant  buds  of  the  Roses 
derive  the  whole  benefit  of  sap  from  the  rootstock.  The  autumn 
Roses  were  indeed  a  glorious  sight.  The  Hybrid  Teas  especially 
presented  a  grand  feature,  whilst  also  several  of  the  Hybrid 
Perpetuals  were  remarkable  for  fine  form  and  intensity  of  colour. 
Standard  Roses  are  largely  grown.  It  should  have  been 
mentioned  regarding  the  Grifferse  stock  that  Mr.  Perkins  con¬ 
siders  it  to  be  eminently  suitable  for  strong  climbing  Roses. 
The  new  hybrid  Wicliuriana  Roses  were  noted  doing  remarkably 
well,  and  two  high  stumps  of  old  Oak  trees  in  the  centre  of  the 
garden  were  being  furnished  with  young  plants  of  them.  These 
are  essentially  creeping  or  trailing  Roses.  To  enumerate  even 
the  cream  of  the  varieties  would  almost  be  an  invidious  task, 
and  it  is  needless  to  say  that  the  newest  varieties  were  in 
evidence.  Mention  may  be  made  of  such  as  Horace  Yernet, 
of  a  fine  velvety  purple  red,  shaded  with  dark  crimson,  large,  full 
and  of  fine  form ;  also  Captain  Hayward,  Paul  Neyron,  Merveille 
de  Lvon,  and  Exposition  de  Brie,  a  fine  autumn  bloomer,  whilst 
Caroline  Testout  is  one  of  the  finest  autumn  Roses  in  existence. 
The  two  old  nurseries  contain  Dahlias,  Phloxes,  Gladioli,  and  a 
host  of  herbaceous  perennials. — G. 
Ordering  Roses. 
Roses  should  be  ordered  as  soon  as  possible  after  the  Rose 
catalogues  are  issued  in  October,  since  this  will  ensure  the  arrival 
of  the  plants  as  early  in  November  as  they  can  with  safety  be 
removed  from  the  nurseries,  and  the  probability  of  obtaining 
the  best  plants,  because  these  are  usually  sold  first. 
- - 
Gadding  tnd  Gathering. 
“Here  awa’,  There  awa’.” 
New  Cactus  Dahlias. 
A  considerable  number  of  novelties  amongst  Cactus  Dahlias 
were  certificated  at  the  meetings  that  have  been  held  in  London 
during  the  season  which  is  now  practically  closed.  Those  men¬ 
tioned  beneath  are  all  new,  though  all  have  not  received  certifi¬ 
cates.  That  fact,  however,  is  not  always  a  guide  to  the  real 
merits  of  a  flower  for  the  garden,  and  some  of  the  non-cert ificated 
flowers  are  better  lasting,  and  have  charms  which  are  quite 
sufficient  to  entitle  them  to  special  notice.  It  is  presumed  that 
the  undermentioned  will  be  in  commerce  during  and  after  next 
spring. 
H.  J.  Jones. — A  handsome  flower,  with  deep  primrose  centre, 
the  petals  surrounding  the  middle  being  flat,  but  those  at  the 
base  of  the  blooms  are  beautifully  fluted  and  very  lengthy, 
radiating  attractively.  It  is  one  of  the  most  effective  new 
varieties  of  the  past  season. 
Ringdove. — Though  this  variety  was  not  certificated,  it  is 
yet  one  of  .the  prettiest  novelties  seen  at  the  London  shows.  The 
petals  are  rather  too  broad,  reminding  one  of  the  older  type  of 
Cactus  Dahlia,  and  the  colour  may  not  suit  everyone.  It  is 
orange-red,  with  the  tips  of  the  petals  a  light,  faded,  silvery-lilac 
— a  novel  colour. 
Prince  of  Orange  is  one  of  the  best  among  newcomers.  The 
flower  is  of  the  popular  incurved  form,  with  finely  fluted  and 
narrow  petals.  The  centre  is  of  a  deep  glowing  golden  shade, 
passing  off  to  a  salmon  red  tint  towards  the  basal  half  of  the 
flower. 
F.  A.  Wellesley  is  undoubtedly  one  of  the  best  half-dozen  of 
last  season’s  novelties.  The  large  blooms  are  well  held  up  on  dark- 
skinned  wiry  stems.  The  incurving,  fluted  florets  are  deep, 
bright  cherry-red  or  crimson,  and  there  is  plenty  of  material  in 
each  flower,  yet  it  is  not.  clumsy.  It  is  one  to  be  especially  noted. 
Mrs.  T.  Cherry  has  a  capital,  bud-like,  and  firm  centre,  but 
is  of  very  moderate  size.  The  colour  is  bright  lilac-red.  It  is 
distinctive,  though  not  very  effective  for  garden  decoration.  In 
vases  and  bowls  the  colour  would  be  novel. 
Redcap  is  a  splendid  little  flower,  quite  a  gem  for  decorative 
uses.  The  blossoms  are  small,  but  “smartly”  built,  with  firm 
florets,  nicely  fluted  and  incurving  at  the  tips.  It  is  a  pretty, 
rounded  flower,  coloured  bright  crimson,  with  a  dash  of  scarlet. 
Vesuvius. — From  what  was  seen  of  this  variety  of  Fancy 
Cactus  Dahlia  at  the  recent  exhibitions,  it  seems  to  be  a  flower  to 
last  well.  It  has  a  splendid  conical  centre,  and  the  petals  incurve. 
They  are  somewhat  broadened  at  the  base.  The  ground-colour  is 
deep  yellow  with  a  shade  of  bronze,  and  splashed  with  bright 
crimson. 
