Chapter 16 - Hybrid Polyantha And Floribunda Roses

The use of the term 'Floribunda' is fairly recent. It was felt that the continued use of the words Hybrid Polyantha was no longer applicable as so many of the new cluster roses had no polyantha strain in them, and so the new term has been adopted, while still retaining the older name for the earliest varieties. With the introduction of so many new varieties it is very possible that this will eventually drop out altogether.

The early Hybrid Polyanthas were the result of crosses between a dwarf Polyantha such as Orlean's Rose and a Hybrid Tea. The Floribundas, however, are of very mixed parentage. Frensham, for instance, has the blood of Rosa polyantha, wichuraiana, chinensis, indica and foetida, so perhaps the use of a name which has no particular meaning is the best way of overcoming the difficulty of defining these roses. I have already mentioned the probable use of the term 'Grandiflora' for those Floribundas which have blooms that resemble those of the Hybrid Teas.

On looking through the list of varieties I recommended in the previous editions of the book, I am amazed at the great advances that have been made in these roses, and still they come in greater and greater numbers.

It is often suggested that we are getting too many, a suggestion with which I cannot agree, for after all, 'The cream will always come to the top', and also finality has by no means been reached. To my mind the ideal to strive for is a Floribunda of good growth, but not too wildly vigorous or the intervals between blooming will be long, good healthy foliage, and trusses of bloom of medium size. If these are very large, blooming is not continuous. I consider it very important that the length of the pedicels (flower stalks) should be in proportion to the size of the bloom so that each individual flower should not be crowded by its neighbor, and should also be strong enough to keep the flower erect in bad weather. Form of the flower so far has not been given much consideration, but I think it should be if these roses are going to be something more than plants providing a great splash of color. Without a doubt color is very important, perhaps most of all in this type of rose, but nevertheless, I believe the time is passing when those with a confused mass of petals will be accepted merely because they happen to be of a brilliant color. Already I see signs of an improvement in form in some of the newer ones, and this trend is welcomed. I do not wish to infer that any improvement in form is going to mean every flower a miniature Hybrid Tea, far from it. I should be sorry to see pure single roses disappear, but I dislike the type of flower that has a number of incipient petals in the centre, marring the beauty of the stamens. The lasting qualities of the blooms is another very important factor. Either the blooms should shatter their petals or if they are retained they should not turn a disagreeable color. Unfortunately those that shatter their petals are usually the most prolific seeders, and therefore need constant attention for the removal of seed pods. These then are the qualities I consider will be in all our Floribundas in the future, and from the newest we have in commerce and those on trial at St Albans that ideal is well on the way to being fulfilled. Undoubtedly the greatest advance was when Fashion was introduced by Gene Boerner of Jackson & Perkins of California. Here was an interesting new break in color and it is almost a tragedy that this rose is being turned out of many gardens owing to its disposition to rust. Unfortunately although there have been many roses introduced since of orange and salmon shades, there is none that possesses the delightful color of Fashion. Korona, Spartan, Highlight and Jimmy Cricket are all of different tones of orange, the brightest of them being Korona. Were I restricted to one this would be my choice. Growth is vigorous and healthy and the blooms, while having little pretence to form, are borne freely. Spartan has the largest blooms with many petals but a large number of the blooms are borne on single stems. Perhaps for cutting purposes this might be termed an advantage, but it is not what one expects from a Flori-bunda. Highlight, it would seem, varies according to the weather for without a doubt it is not at its best in dull, rainy spells. Jiminy Cricket is more refined in its habit of growth and seems to do well in adverse weather conditions.

As purely a bedding rose, Salmon Perfection has much to recommend it, where a bright bit of colour is the main object. The trusses of bloom are large and it is quite sterile and in consequence requires very little attention. Not perhaps everyone's choice, but I have included it because of its trouble-free character.

There are several red Floribundas which have claims for inclusion in our gardens. Although Frensham still holds pride of place, these others I shall mention, are distinct and very satisfactory in their own particular way. Ama, the most recent introduction, has been compared with Frensham. The blooms in both cases are crimson but there the resemblance ends. The blooms are a little brighter than the older rose, but possess little of their individual charm. The vigor of the plants would seem to be about equal, judging from what I have observed in gardens other than my own.

Two more scarlet-red roses of recent introduction of somewhat dwarf yet good habit are Sarabande and Paprika, and in fact I predict that in time there will be few gardens that do not contain specimens of these varieties. Sarabande is the brighter of the two, its scarlet-red petals being set off beautifully by its golden stamens, but both are outstanding on account of their resistance to disease.

Red Favorite is another which has become deservedly popular but likely to be superseded by the previously mentioned varieties. It is, however, a very tidy rose not wildly vigorous and ideal for a low bed. The blooms are an even shade of deep red and of very neat form, and moreover they seem to be produced constantly.

Red Wonder is a rose that has never impressed the judges when it has been shown for an award. It seems that this is one of those roses that look better growing than when cut, for I have always been impressed by its fine growth and general appearance in the Trial Ground and in McGredy's Rose Garden at Derriaghy near Belfast.

De Ruiter's Herald became very popular as a colorful bedder rose, but it has now been replaced by Border King which is not only more vigorous in habit but also has larger trusses with blooms of greater size. What is also important is that it never looks shabby, but retains its brightness over a long period.

Rosemary Rose is a red of a different shade, in fact it is one of those colors difficult to define. One could hardly ever call this rose bright and yet it has an appeal which improves on acquaintance. The blooms, borne on medium trusses, are flat, though very neat in formation, but the greatest charm of this rose is in the deep reddish foliage that does not green with age, which seems just right for the color of the blooms. Unfortunately, it is very prone to mildew in some areas.

Pink roses of all types would seem to be the most common and yet there is still plenty of room for improvement. Else Poulsen was a great rose in spite of its liability to mildew, and it was a pure pink. As far as I have observed there has been nothing introduced since that has all its good qualities. There have been several that could be described as pink, but they nearly all have a blending of either yellow, salmon or orange; not that they are less beautiful for that, but pure colors are wanted as well as combinations.

August Seebauer, a seedling from Else Poulsen, is the nearest to a pure pink. I wish I could write better things about this rose, for with me it is not very satisfactory. The best part of it is its blooms which are large for this type of rose and at times are of elegant form. My objections are that there seems to be long intervals between bloom periods, the best display being in September. In spite of all this it is one I shall not discard until it is replaced by a better one. Of course, it must be understood that my opinions are based on my own observations and it is quite possible that in other gardens it may behave much better.

Bonnie Maid might be described as a deeper colored Dainty Maid. The blooms have rather more petals but the habit of the plant is similar. This should be a popular rose when better known.

With a great fanfare of trumpets and ballyhoo Queen Elizabeth was introduced into this country from America. When it was first seen growing at the Trial Ground everyone, including myself, was captivated. Here was a really great rose, which was going to carry all before it. Now that many have grown it and have been able to appraise its true worth—has it borne out its first promise ? I am not too sure. It was described as the first of a new type of rose, a type to which a new name 'Grandiflora' was given, to define a Flori-bunda with blooms of the Hybrid Tea character. The claims to distinction of the rose are undoubtedly its vigorous and healthy habit of growth; it is a rose that will grow anywhere, where roses can be grown. Its failings are that it is not free flowering, and the blooms, while pleasing in the tight bloom state, are disappointing in the expanded flower, not having the form one would expect from such good growth.

Tivoli is described as a warm pink, and from what I have seen of it that is an apt description. The plant is vigorous and should make a fine subject for bedding. Of rather less recent introduction is United Nations. Although I have grown this rose for some years it is only lately that I have realized what a good rose it is. The intervals of blooming are short so there are few occasions when the plants are completely out of flower. Another thing in its favor is that it is completely sterile, which no doubt is responsible for its free blooming nature. The color is rather more salmon than pink, but a very pleasing shade nevertheless. On the debit side is its susceptibility to mildew.

In yellow Floribundas we have some real acquisitions—Allgold, Yellow Hammer, Faust and Sandringham. All are very good in their own particular way and provide a color which was lacking in this type of rose. Allgold is, by far, the purest and best color, although Yellow Hammer is good. The former is of dwarf and spreading habit but would no doubt improve its stature with light pruning. It is very free-flowering having flowers, buds and new growth on the plants at the same time, which is not a very common thing as a rule. Yellow Hammer is taller and although the color of the blooms is perhaps not quite so bright as those of Allgold they are by no means dull. Both roses have received the Gold Medal of the National Rose Society. Faust is another rose to capture high honors, having won the President's Trophy for the best new rose of the year 1956. This is a Spek's Yellow/Masquerade cross, and it so happens when the latter is used as one of the parents the yellow in the blooms changes to a reddish tint, a result which is by no means unpleasing. Faust is a good grower and for it I forecast a popular future. I have been impressed with Sandringham for its fine strong habit of growth and its clean deep primrose trusses of blooms which are semi-double, displaying their stamens to advantage. Furthermore this rose carries a fine scent, a quality which unfortunately is not very pronounced in Floribundas as a whole.

We are getting several Floribundas with the Masquerade habit of variation in the color of the bloom. Yellow at first, the colour changes to pink and then to red. In Masquerade this was a novelty and soon enjoyed a great amount of popularity. However, if we have too many roses with this habit it may be considered a drawback. However, it is undoubtedly better for a yellow rose to turn red than white as such a number of yellow roses in the past were apt to do.

Sundance is one of these yellow roses that change to pink as the blooms age. With me it has not been a great success but that may be due to the near zero frosts to which the plants have been subjected, and I shall give it a further trial before condemning it on its performance in my garden. Circus, another quick change artist, is one with which I have no faults to find. The blooms are very neat, the habit of the plants is all one could wish. It is an ideal rose for bedding, presenting a bright and cheerful picture. This is a decided acquisition. Sweet Repose has created quite a lot of interest, since it has been introduced. The color is pink and gold, a most charming combination. The plant is vigorous and the handsome trusses are borne in quantity with fine healthy foliage. A rose that will become popular when better known if only on account of its lovely fragrance.

For those that like something vivid in roses, Firecracker would be a good choice. The blooms in large trusses are a vivid scarlet with a light centre. The individual blooms have no pretence to form, but few roses are capable of making such a brilliant display as this one. Growth is strong and the habit spreading. Described as a miniature Peace, Columbine is something quite distinct. The blooms are large for this type of rose and of very pretty formation. The ground color is not such a deep yellow as in Peace, but rather a deep primrose. The growth of the plant is inclined to be open and a little straggly but not sufficiently so to condemn it on that score. Vogue is a rose that has taken me several seasons to become attached to, and now I realize its value. Evidently many shared my feelings for it has never really become popular. Growth is good, fairly upright and the blooms, although not brilliant in colour, which is a soft deep salmon pink, are large and of good form.

Older Floribundas which have all stood the test of time and should be included in any selection are:

Alain                                                    Ma Perkins
Dainty Maid                                         Mary
Dusky Maiden                                      Masquerade
Frensham                                             Orange Triumph
Goldilocks                                            Pinocchio
Independence                                       Poulsen's Pink

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