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The Royal Horticultural Society & National Dahlia Society Trials at Wisley 2003
Last year I visited Wisley just the once it was on the 18th of September and I
took two seedlings with me one called J125 and the other called
Charlie Dimmock. After staging both cultivars, (the
Royal Horticultural Society like you to call them cultivars well they’re mostly
botanists and it’s right and proper) Any way, I’d set my seedlings up and after
lunch we went down to the trial grounds and inspected the dahlias, the staff
must have worked hard last year, what with the with heat and drought. As I
looked over the beds I made a note that I’d like to try
Trelyn Kiwi and a Dutch variety from Verwers in Holland called
Karma Sangria. Both looked like excellent material
for breeding, you can get them both from David Hill of Abacus Nurseries in
Wales. I’ve already sent him my order.
My entry in the trials was Sir Bobby `M’ it looked
a bit tired and was nowhere near as bright a yellow as on my patch. But I do
realise, compared to our efforts, what a huge project is undertaken at Wisley.
To do any good the cultivars have to be absolutely first class, I can vouch for
the attention to detail which each and every variety gets. Everything about
Wisley is professional there isn’t anything out of place and the way they’re
grown with chestnut poles and six inch square mesh is remarkable. Each variety
is given the correct amount of space to develop, unlike the varieties in my
rather cramp surroundings at home. I didn’t think the over all look was as
spectacular as other years but when water lily dahlias were opening inside a
fortnight from colour in 2003, you can’t expect anything else. To soon we were
making our way back in the rush hour traffic, how these commuters do this run to
London every day beats me, but it is one day of every year that I’ll never get
tired of and a place I wish I lived nearer to.
Now for the Wisley winners which were email to me by Mr. James Armitage the
Secretary of the Joint Dahlia Committee.
Ryecroft Jan: Group 6B Miniature Decorative Raised
and exhibited by Mr. P Godsmark of West Sussex.
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Award of Merit for Exhibition
Told you it was a good’un! They measure all the blooms at Wisley, every detail
is recorded, regards colour, size, height, and it’s all filed for future
reference. These blooms measured 90 mm in diameter and so were judged as
miniatures. The form is really good, and the more I see it, I realise this will
be one of the miniature whites to beat. It’s amazing, even though they were
white, they still had a colour chart number, and it was 158C. I’ve only told you
this to let you know how professional this set up is, imagine different degrees
of whiteness. I’m still waiting for the white Tide man to turn up, for all those
under seventy, forget it.
Ann Breckenfelder: Group 3 Collerette Raised by Mr.
Cor Geerling from the Netherlands and exhibited by Mr. Graham Carey. Diameter
110 mm Bright pillar box red outer petals, yellow collar splashed with the same
red.
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Award of Merit for Exhibition |
Another of Mr. Geerlings creations, what a wonderful past time is the breeding of all sorts of dahlias. Photograph courtesy of Mr. Dave Reid and out of the National Dahlia Society 2003 Winter Bulletin.
Hillcrest Hannah: Group 5E Miniature Decorative
Raised and exhibited by Mr. L Jackson of Cumbria. Diameter 90 mm Yellow.
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Award of Merit for Exhibition
I really liked this one, a perfect partner for Ryecroft Jan. Crisp and bright.
First photograph I took at Wisley on the 18th September, second courtesy of
Halls of Heddons web site, from who it’s available.
Hillcrest Regal: Group 3 Collerette Raised and
exhibited by Mr. L Jackson of Cumbria
Diameter 100 mm Red-purple outer petals, collar same colour with lighter blends.
Useful for cutting as are all the collerettes, flowered from July 22nd.
Available from Abacus Nurseries, Winchester Growers and the sender.
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Award of Merit for Exhibition and Garden.
I must try breeding some of these, but remembering what Harry Lawson said in his
great book on breeding, `Don’t stretch your self’’ perhaps not.
Photograph courtesy of Geoff Hoyle. Off the Internet.
Sir Alf Ramsey: Group 5A Giant Decorative Raised by
Mr. P Cleaver and exhibited by Mr. L R Wright of `Dahliadel’ Essex Diameter 280
mm White at the centre darkening to mauve. Sadly Peter Clever is no longer with
us, but what a wonderful legacy he left behind.
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Award of Merit for Exhibition
That measurement’s about, 11 inches in old money, not bad in trial ground
conditions, a good grower could probably put another two inches on that, I
wonder what the record is for this variety? Superb well established now, gained
a Gold Certificate in 1999
Taratahi Ruby: Group 4D Small Water Lily Flowered
Raised by Mr. J Frater and exhibited by Mr. Walker of Hertfordshire Diameter 145
mm Red with yellow base.
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Award of Exhibition Merit |
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Everyone has this in their breeding programme, if they haven’t they should have. The strength is phenomenal, although dominant. I think the first time I heard the term, `ram rod stems’, was when the great and Late Derek Hewlett referred to this very cultivar, in the National Dahlia’s Winter Bulletin 2000. I always find a place for this great dahlia, besides this was the seed bearer of Charlie Dimmock, the pollen provider was Yvonne, know wonder she became so tall.
Wanda’s Capella: Group 5A Giant Decorative Raised
and exhibited by Mr L R Wright of Dahliadel Essex. Diameter 280 mm Yellow.
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Award of Merit for Exhibition |
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Bet there’s a bit of Giant Semi-Cactus in this one. Nice clear soft yellow of
huge proportions already has a Gold Certificate.
Marston Lilac: Group 5E Raised by Mr. J Digweed and
exhibited by Mr. F B Taylor of Cheshire Diameter 80 mm Purple
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Award of Merit for Exhibition
Number one choice at Pencoed College Wales. Any variety that comes through last
years gruelling weather conditions gets my vote. I’m old enough to remember
`Bonnie Blue’ and it’s terrible weak necks. Nothing wrong with these stems. The
second flower I must confess I borrowed from the 2004 report.
Mary’s Jomanda: Group 6B Miniature Ball Raised and
exhibited by Mr D G Houghton Cumbria. Diameter 95 mm Pink turning to a lighter
pink.
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Award of Merit for Exhibition
Won Harry Howarth Medal in 2002 and they haven’t stopped praising it yet, I
agree, a fantastic natural miniature, just about as perfect as you can get. Wish
it had sported in my garden Mr Houghton. The first photograph was from Halls
site the second I borrowed from my 2004 report.
Oreti Jewel: Group 9E Miniature Semi-Cactus Raised
by Walter Jack of New Zealand sent for trial by Mr. Graham Carey and available
from Surrey Dahlias. Diameter 110 mm Red.
NO IMAGE
Award of Garden Merit
These miniature semi-cactus are getting more and more popular with gardeners, as
well as the exhibitor. This one started to flower from July 29th and is, like
all of this type, very useful for cutting.
It’s Wicked: Group 10 Miscellaneous (Subject to
Registration) Raised and sent by Mr. M P Harvey
Lilliput-Dwarf Bedding Diameter 45 mm Single with small 10 mm yellow disc, outer
florets short , fairly broad, distinct, separated, blunt and flat, red, lightly
flushed at the tip.
NO IMAGE
Wow! with a description like that every one should have one. These little
Lilliputs are perfect for garden display, with an overall height of 50 cm this
one sounds smashing, and it flowered from June 27th
If you have a photograph of this little gem Mr. Harvey, I’ll stick it on the web
site.
Stevie D: (Subject to availability) Group 5D Small
Decorative Sent for trial by the late Mr. Derek Hewlett. Diameter 120 mm Red
tipped white.
NO IMAGE
I would love to have a photograph of this one for my web site. It was probably
the last variety Derek submitted to Wisley and it seems it was probably a cut
flower type. We all miss Derek’s Hewlett’s wonderful summaries on new cultivars.
Fortunately Graham Carey has stepped into the breach and judging from his first
article in the 2003 Winter Bulletin he is just as dedicated as the man he is
replacing. I for one, wish him all the best , although I must say, he doesn’t
need to worry, we all enjoyed his first write up on the new varieties, and we’re
grateful he has taken on such an arduous job.
I’m not sure who raised Stevie D but if anyone knows I’d be obliged if they’d
email me with the information, and perhaps a photograph.
That’s it, I’ll give you the results again next year, God willing, that’s as
long as I don’t get countless emails telling me not to.
