18
Searching for Better Varieties
Nothing we have really belongs to us. It is all God's bounty, issued in trust.
DALE EVANSSometimes we like to claim more than we have a right to. It is so easy to say, "I did this," when in reality it would be more honest to say, "I was there when it happened." Many discoveries and triumphs have happened like this, and they are no less commendable.
Just what did we set out to do or accomplish? Whatever it was, we may have fumbled in our first efforts much like a child trying to stack one block atop another. The child plays the game with blocks because the blocks happen to be there at the time. So it is with the first plants we hybridize; we start work on those we have in our gardens. Later, we may choose to devote all our efforts to the bettering of one special genus of plants. Sometimes opportunity knocking at our door directs the course of our work.
Opportunity determined I should work with and make my contribution to the development of new and better miniature roses. I had a long-time interest in all plants, especially in roses, yet I did not accomplish all of my work with miniatures by myself. Much which had been done before my time helped lay the foundation. The thoughts, ideas, suggestions, successes and failures of rose and other plant breeders around the world have all had a part in determining a measure of any success I have had.
My methods and my work are constantly checked against that of others. Things I read, ideas gleaned through conversations and lectures continually force re-evaluation of my own position. The work and writings of Dr. Walter Lammerts have greatly contributed to my success in breeding miniatures even though he is known in rose circles for his development of large flowered varieties such as 'Charlotte Armstrong,' 'Chrysler Imperial,' 'American Heritage,' and 'Queen Elizabeth.' His discovery and formulation of the principle laws governing inheritance of red/yellow bicolor, bud length and other traits have helped to make these qualities available in my miniatures.
What are some of the results of my breeding efforts? What were a few of the more important aims or objectives? Did we get better or poorer results than we expected? Were there any surprises?
I think- the results speak for themselves. When I began my work with miniatures it was a natural step because I had long been interested in small flowered roses. 'Cecile Brunner' was a favorite. Then about 1927 1 acquired a little polyantha variety called 'Etoile Luisante' ('Baby Herriot') . This rose was not very double but had buds similar to 'Cecile Brunner' in form and the color was a beautiful flame of cerise-red and copper shaded with pink and yellow. Foliage was glossy and the plant had few thorns. The dwarf plants flowered abundantly in clusters. Seed hips set easily and seeds germinated readily.
The stage was set. I began to sow quantities of seeds from this variety and found that the color range was wide. Flower color varied from near white to soft yellow through various shades of pink and flame tones. A few showed the red/yellow bicolor similar to 'Talisman'. Some were low to medium height bushes. Many were of climbing or semiclimbing habit. Nearly all were constant repeat bloomers. A number set seeds as freely as the parent, 'Etoile Luisante.' Most of the climbers were single flowered and nearly all seedlings were fragrant.
After making several selections from the seedlings the others were destroyed. Of those saved three were named (all climbers). 'Renae' (Pat. 893) was introduced by Armstrong Nurseries, Ontario, California. 'Renae' is available on weeping standard from Stocking Rose Nursery, San Jose, California. It is similar to 'Climbing Pinkie,' very fragrant, an abundant bloomer with clean glossy foliage and thornless. For mild climates 'Renae' is a lovely rose but it is, along with most of the others selected from the lot, not dependably winter hardy in colder areas.
But this strain was to be an important link in the breeding of better miniatures. 'Dancing Doll' crossed with 'Oakington Ruby' produced 'Cutie.' More recently 'Dancing Doll' crossed with 'Little Buckaroo' has produced among others, an interesting plum (purple-red) colored miniature now in the testing stage.
The third selection was a flame colored single flowered climber which when crossed with 'Tom Thumb' produced 'Zee.' Without this key variety many of the better miniatures we grow today would have been impossible. This would also include all of the climbing miniatures which I have produced.
I found that 'Zee' (even though a rather weak plant itself and of pale pink color) was not only compatible as a pollen parent with many roses but that its range of usefulness was extraordinary. This is illustrated by the fact that it Is the "father" of such varieties as 'Pink Cameo,' 'Magic Wand,' 'Bit 0' Sunshine,' 'Yellow Doll,' 'Climbing Jackie,' 'Mona Ruth,' and 'Purple Elf.' It is the "grandfather" of '.June. Time,' Silver Tips,' 'Yellow Bantam,' 'Jeanie Williams,' ',jet Trail,' 'Baby Darling,' 'New Penny,' 'Eleanor,' and many others.
Another "key" in unlocking the treasure chest of better miniatures was a very dark red seedling made by crossing 'Oakington Ruby' with 'Floradora.' This red seedling is not worth keeping if we were to judge by its flowers. Its form is not too good, the dark color burns in hot sun, the plant is too large (nearly a climber) it is female sterile, and pollen is not plentiful. But what offspring it produces!
When mated with a seedling climber (Rosa wichuraiana X 'Floradora') it has produced such kinds as 'Little Buckaroo,' winner of a certificate for Garden and Park Rose, International Competition, The Hague, 1965, 'Dian,' 'Tiny Jack,' and 'Westmont 'and is the "grandfather" of 'Lollipop,' 'Frostfire,' 'Nova Red,' 'Baby Ophelia,' 'Tiny Jill' and others.
More recently some crosses of 'Little Darling' (floribunda) X 'Magic Wand' have proven most exciting and fruitful. From these crosses have come miniatures in a bewildering array of colors. There are selfs in red, soft yellow, pink, rose and white. Blends and bicolors have appeared. Nearly all have the tapered hybrid tea shaped bud so popular today and many are fragrant.
In even more recent crosses involving 'Little Darling' X 'Westmont' have appeared still other colors and blends. Some are dazzling shades of red, others are blends and bicolors, while a few approach the firelike colors of 'Tropicana.
Certainly there have been disappointments along the hybridizing trail but the successes have amply repaid the effort and patience. And there is always the chance that in next year's seedlings will be the "one" we have been hoping for.
Return to Table of Contents
Back to Old Garden Roses and Beyond