No. 648: The winners

Charles Seaton reports: The Chelsea show next week is likely to provide us with the usual large crop of new varieties of flowers, fruit and vege- tables, many of them named after well-known personalities. Competitors were asked to fore- stall the professional growers and provide some new items of their own, not excluding weeds.

The entry provided a reasonable display though a little disproportioned. Some of the classes were very poorly patronised with only one or two representatives; others, particularly the politicals, were very well stocked with competing strains of the same variety.

Among perennials MALCOLM MUGGERIDGE Mill grow anywhere, self-propagating. Can be contained only by severe root-pruning'—Eileen M. Haggitt) is nowadays little esteemed, and some of the old favourites have also fallen from grace. In several cases less desirable traits have developed over the years. Here is one that enjoyed a run for some years, but has perhaps lost a little of its vigour:

BEND-TO-THE-WIND (Wilsonia pragmatica) is a commonplace plant now past its best. In its day it was a much esteemed garden plant with an ability to grow in all manner of soils and under almost any conditions. The common name is derived from its habit of bending to the slight- est breeze from whatever quarter. The flowers, which show a great range of form are com- monly a very pale rose and smell like tobacco. (B. Young).

HAROLD WILSON (as featured recently in the Sunday Times): This red-flowered plant was once far more fancied than it is now and its promise to become a hardy perennial has not been fulfilled. Experts regard it as being too big-headed ever to win popular acclaim and

three are even rumours that it will soon be ousted from the catalogue by a stronger and more acceptable strain. Nowadays its growth is not really economic. (Robin Chase.)

Some of the newer growths look as though they may be well placed to consolidate their present appeal. One is the THATCLIERBELL:

THATCHERBELL (thatcherine bellissima mar- guerite): Highly decorative perennial with variegated petals whose unpredictability is part of the thatcherbell's peculiar charm at special shows, usually in seaside- displays; highly resistant to pests; strong roots which go deep in native soil; fine wiry nature; will flourish for years. Scent faint, reminiscent of primroses. (John E. Brown.)

As will be evident, the politically-derived strains were very prominent, and included a number of Ericas—of mixed characteristics, as two samples will testify: The GREATER HEATH (Edwardia superba) has only recently become better known, having been confused earlier with the Lesser Heath (Edwardia oppositiflora). The blue flowers have large deeply dentate petals and prominent probosci. Due to the plant's marked competi- tiveness, its range is increasing, whilst it flour- ishes in marine habitats. The Greater Heath is abrasive to touch and has a pungent, antiseptic odour. In some areas it may be crowded out by Enochia (q.v.). (B. Young.)

Erica incolor L.: the DRAB HEATH. This at first sight rather uninspiring shrub has not yet lost the lead unexpectedly stolen for a short while ago from its more colourful rivals, and is still Britain's premier heath. Signs of wilt have recently been observed, but it is hoped that introduction to the Continent will stimulate growth. A conservative choice for the small garden.

Opinion was uniformally unfavourable to the numerous varieties of Powellii and Enochia. Indeed, if these judgments are representative, it is difficult to see how these strains can remain in the catalogues much longer. A typical verdict comes from B. Young:

The WOLVERHAMPTON BINDWEED (Enochia hor-

ribilis) has pure white flowers recognisable by

the hirsute upper lip of the corolla and a general resemblance to the Snapdragon. The plant has an acrid, bitter taste and is becoming a troublesome weed wherever Chernozems

(Black earths) and pale chalky soils meet, as in the Midlands. Enochia is difficult to eradicate without an intelligent policy of soil reclamation, and the seeds are probably very long-lived. The flowers lack scent and are fertilised by Wasps.

Crossbreeds and non-politicals were rather fewer than might have been expected, but were supplemented by some vigorous weeds which have established themselves in produc- tive pockets of soil. Here are a few of the more interesting growths:

THE BETJEMANITE CHRYSANTHEMUM ; this British native, indigenous to the Thames Valley, grows best on urban soil, preferably near St Pancras Station. In these conditions it will flourish, grow- ing to a height of five feet or slightly more. Makes a good cover plant for pre-stressed con- crete, prefabricated rockeries and television aerials. Feed seedlings with Hunter-Dunn's Compost and mature plants with Nostalgia.No. 5 Fragrant. (Eileen M. Haggitt) GERMAINEGREERIA: a colourful flowering nettle now well established in Britain, but not popular with some older gardeners owing to its peculiar sting, which is far more noxious to men than women. Its heady scent is an intoxicant to some females, and its sting was traditionally held responsible for outbursts of feminine frenzy. It is of no use for the pot. (W. F. N. Watson) CANTERBURY BELL (Campanula ramose). Purple. This species which originally flourished in the North of England has now become firmly estab- lished in the South where it has proved popular. It is very effective for decorative purposes. The roots should not be disturbed. It dislikes shady places, It grows to generous proportions but need not be thinned out. Propagation is by sow- ing good seed. A red variety flourishes under difficult conditions on London's South Bank. (Mrs. V. R. Ormerod) MRS MARY WHITEHOUSE: a somewhat spiky pure white bloom with strong tendencies to edge lusher and more exotic plants out of the gar- den. It is totally unsuited for use as a bedding plant and does not take to reproduction easily except under conditions of strict control. Nor does it respond to growth in wild or even semi- wild conditipns preferring the regime of the formal English garden. It can provide a striking display in a television room under suitable con- ditions. Not recommended by BBC experts.

(M. K. Cheeseman) All in all, quite a fair show, though some of the exhibits may find it hard to keep in the public eye in years to come. Certificates of merit all round, and two pounds each to the exhibits described in detail.