17
How a Rose Gets It's Name
A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
SHAKESPEAREWould you like to know how a rose gets its name? This is a very important phase of rose breeding. The name may determine the acceptance of the rose so it should be right for the variety. For example, the name 'Frosty' should belong to a very white rose; and it does.
We must select the variety long before we attach a specific name to it. Selection of parental varieties, preparation, storage and planting are some of the steps we take along the way.
As blooms appear the seed flats are observed daily. Any interesting or likely plant is marked by sticking a small stake beside it. I use misprint wood labels or labels for varieties no longer grown. These are split with a knife into two to four slender stakes and are just right for the purpose. When the second flowering occurs these marked plants are potted into 3-inch pots for further growth and observation. Usually not more than ten to twenty per cent of my seedlings are thus potted. After these have grown and flowered again, another selection is made. Only the most promising of those originally potted are moved into one gallon nursery cans for further growth and observation. Soon a few cuttings may be taken.
A 4-inch plastic label on which is written the identification number of the cross and other pertinent information is placed in each pot and transferred with the plant to the gallon can. This identification label stays with that plant all through the testing period and until it either gets a name or is discarded. For example: suppose the label on the seed flat reads 14-65-. This first number means that particular lot of seed is (in this case) from a cross of 'Pinocchio' X 'Magic Wand.'- The next number -65- designates the year this particular cross was made. Then, if any seedling of this lot is considered worth propagating for further test it is given a final number (different for each plant) . So the label may read 14-65-7 and all test plants propagated from the original seedling will bear this same identifying number.
Finally the day arrives when we must make our decision. If the plant has somehow failed to prove that it is better in some way than previous varieties it may be discarded along with all plants propagated for testing or it may be saved to be used in further crosses. As one breeder expressed it "this one just isn't finished yet." It may carry traits which are desirable such as color, lasting quality or disease resistance. Used in other crosses it may produce desirable offspring. Every experienced breeder knows that some of his best parent material would prove worthless as a commercial variety. It is varieties such as these, for example my miniature rose 'Zee,' which are often most valuable to the breeder.
But suppose that after several years of observing and testing our seedling 14-65-7 we decide that here is a new variety worth growing. We have built up a small stock of young plants. The variety has attractive flowers, it blooms well, propagates satisfactorily and appears to possess other worthwhile qualities. We then decide on a time for introduction, or arrange for someone else to grow and introduce our new variety.
A name must be selected, but what name? Often the name will suggest itself or a visitor may suggest one. The name should be timely. It should be interesting and appropriate. It should be easy to say and short as possible. Sometimes roses are named for places, events or persons. I try to be continually alert to any likely names or suggestions for names. A list is kept and constantly enlarged.
I watch newspapers and magazines for suggestions. Even the dictionary is searched. Suggestions may come from radio and television, or from chance remarks made by family members and friends. But what I like may not appeal to others so a possible name may have to pass the test of 11 what do other people think of this?" A check is made of Modern Roses VI to learn if the name has been used before. Then application is made to the American Rose Society, 4048 Roselea Place, Columbus, Ohio, on forms which they supply, to register the name I have chosen. If approved by the Registration Committee this then becomes the official registered name for my new rose variety.
Now, how did I choose some of the names for my miniature roses? As suggested earlier a list of possible names is kept. So, when a name is needed the list is consulted. That is how such names as 'HI Ho,' 'Nova Red' and 'New Penny' were selected.
The perfect buds of a little pink climber suggested a cameo so 'Pink Cameo' was named. One day while watering a bed of young plants of a choice new red selection the words from a song suggested 'Little Buckaroo.' A favorite niece named Joyce (the name had already been used on a rose) was honored by naming the miniature rose, 'Pink Joy.'. 'Pink Heather' reminded me of the soft lavender-pink color of certain heather varieties. 'Frostfire' was named from a silverware pattern.
A certain plant distributor wanted to introduce two of my varieties and suggested that the word "tiny" be used so the red one became 'Tiny Jack' and its pink companion was named 'Tiny Jill.' 'Eleanor' and 'Mona Ruth' are named for my two daughters and 'Dian' for an "adopted daughter." And it was Dian who upon seeing three buds of a yellow seedling held them up and said, "They're just like a bit of sunshine." So 'Bit 0' Sunshine' got its name. The graceful buds of another yellow miniature made me think of a yellow figurine, so 'Yellow Doll' was named.
'Baby Ophelia' is similar in color and form to the famous old rose 'Ophelia.' The tiny buds of a new yellow seedling resembled yellow beads so 'Yellow Necklace' became the name. The fringed effect of the flowers of yet another tiny rose caused me to borrow the name of an African violet, 'Fringette.'
Buds and flowers of a seedling, being observed while growing in the greenhouse suggested the clean freshness of an Easter Lilly so its name became 'Easter Morning.' The sleek form and whiteness of a new variety on test suggested 'Jet Trail' and another rose from the same cross kept being referred to as a miniature 'Little Darling' (floribunda) hence the name 'Baby Darling.' 'Yellow Bantam' was borrowed from a tiny button chrysanthemum. 'Candy Cane' was a natural, because it is striped.
The name 'Beauty Secret' was suggested by a cosmetics advertisement and Jeanie Williams'-well, those of the Dallas, Texas, Rose Society know her as "Our Jeanie," a real credit to teenage America and a consistent prize winner in the Dallas Rose Shows.
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