Candidissimum and other stuff

[Ellen Hornig]

Apparently the clone of candidissimum that I peddle is self-fertile; I
know Roy H. got good seeds from it, the first year he grew it.  I, on the
other hand, have yet to see it set seed; but this year I intend to be sure
there are males near the females.  It also has a healthy rose scent.  I'm
not aware that it has any medals to prove its merits, being of - sniff -
eastern European origin (never part of the Empire, alas) - and also being
possessed of plebian pink stripes.  Paul, we'll just have to trade a few
and see whether there are significant differences.

On the hardiness front, 3 of 3 mature A. tortuosum planted out in the
garden last fall (thanks, Tony :-) ) are coming up now, in bud and looking
handsome.  They were down c. 1' (30 cm) deep.  Two of three small A.
ringens, however, seem to have failed the test (the blooming-size one
limped up, much gnawed by slugs).  The candidissimums are starting up now;
no sign yet of the franchetianums.  I'll start worrying in a few more
days.  Y'all just don't understand how mild the climate in balmy upstate
NY can be....

Ellen Hornig
Oswego, NY
USDA zone 5b (-10 to -20F), avg. snowfall 120" (3m)