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Christine Wright: Polyantha

The breeding of this entire class is considerably involved, and different authorities and catalogues list the roses variously as Hybrid Wichuraianas, Hybrid Polyanthas, Polyanthas and Multifloras; for example, Hiawatha is listed in many places as a Hybrid Wichuraiana, whereas this rose is a cross between Turner's Crimson Rambler and Carmine Pillar; the first a Polyantha, and the second usually listed as a Climbing Hybrid Tea. Goldfinch is from Helene, which is a cross between Turner's Crimson Rambler and a seedling of the Polyantha Aglaia, yet this rose is sometimes listed as a Multiflora.

CECILE BRUNNER. Polyantha Hybrid; sprays; beautifully formed, small. This rose, if secured in three-year-old plants and given heavy winter protection, has proved one of the best bloomers among climbing roses. It is not as vigorous a climber as the Wichuraianas, but makes good growth of eightto ten-foot canes, on which its miniature, perfectly formed flowers appear in sprays. The color is flesh cream with a shell-pink center. It must not be confounded with the dwarf Polyantha of the same name. It may be expected to bloom splendidly in the spring, quite well in summer, and also in autumn. There are a few other climbing Polyanthas already catalogued, and several new roses of this class have been introduced recently, the best known being Miss G.

Messman, a sport of Crimson Baby Rambler; Marie- Jeanne, white; and Orleans Rose Climbing, a sport of the pink Polyantha Orleans Rose; but here these roses require protection.

Another climbing Polyantha which has done well for some growers is Climbing Clothilde Soupert. Unfortunately, plants of this variety have winter killed badly, but with special winter protection it should live up to its reputation as a constant bloomer, and south of Philadelphia it will do well. The blooms are double, the color silver flesh to shell pink.

AMERICAN PILLAR. Hybrid Polyantha. Conard, 1909. Large clusters; dark pink with a white center and yellow stamens. Very large, single. Similar to Evergreen Gem. Foliage lasts quite well.

AVIATEUR BLERIOT. Hybrid Wichuraiana; Fauque et Fils, 1910. Clusters; saffron yellow, center golden yellow. Foliage lasts quite well.