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National Viola and Pansy Society
Journal 2001

The Census Results

Firstly a big thank you to all of those who took the trouble to complete and return the forms. In all I received replies from about two thirds of the membership, and that is quite enough to give some valid results. The reason for the census was to see just what varieties members had in their collections and identify any rarities that need to be conserved. A number of members added apologies that their collections did not contain any 'old' varieties, but old and rare do not necessarily mean the same thing. In fact a number of rare, and I am afraid to say lost varieties, are those that have been raised within the last thirty years. On the other hand 'Maggie Mott', which is an old variety, apears to be alive and well in the majority of members' collections.

The overall winner was 'Rebecca', closely followed by 'Little David' and 'Buttercup'. Very informative that the three most popular are all violettas with good manners and strong fragrance.

Well did it turn up any rarities? Well yes it did, some of them quite surprising. It is very easy to take the varieties in ones collection for granted, but given the paucity of specialist nurseries it is all too easy for a variety to simply slip quietly away. The following were listed on only one or two returns, and they must all be considered good varieties: 'James Pilling', 'David Wheldon', 'Lady Tennyson', 'Tina', 'Betty', 'Pickering Blue', 'Gladys Findlay', 'Janet', 'Ruth Elkins', 'Admiration' and 'Lord Plunket'. It might be either coincidence or of some import that all of these happen to be the larger flowered sort, and the majority of members who have them are also exhibitors. Still I do not consider any of them to be in danger, especially as I happen to grow them in reasonable quantity.

Next there are the varieties that have gone missing from the PlantFinder or have only one entry: 'Alma', 'Winifred Jones', 'Burnock Yellow', 'Lady Finyoon', 'Miss Brookes', 'Barbara', 'Evelyn Jackson', 'Pam's Fancy', 'Sarah'. I think that what all of these have in common is a somewhat lax and woody habit, and this can cause problems with propagation. So if you have any of the varieties mentiond the do try and make sure that you build up a litte stock. It would be a good thing to see any of the varieties mentioned so far appearing on the sales table at the AGM or the Annual Show as then we would clearly be doing a great service to the continued survival and cultivation; a prime reason for the existence of our society.

There were also one or two of which I had never heard, and could find no reference for. 'Yellow Rebecca' appeared on two lists. Now I have not heard of this at all and would dearly like to know from whom it originated. My first guess is that it is a sport, a genetic mutation, especially given that 'Rebecca' was originally a sport of 'Boy Blue'. If anyone can supply any information I should be most grateful. Another was 'Poplars Purple', which I think is seedling raised by one of our members. It is good to know that there is an interest in breeding going on elsewhere. Perhaps the member concerned might like to pen a small article for the Spring Newsletter. I am sure that we would all like to know what is going on, and if anything exciting might be on the way.

The Cornuta cultivars seem popular, and rightly so when one considers their floriferous nature and length of flowering period, indeed there were but few members who did not include one or two of these in their collection. 'Victoria Cawthorne' came out on top, indeed a stunning pink. However I have seen something that I think might well surpassit in a year or two. A clematis specialist in Cornwall sent me some blooms of a 'Pat Kavanagh' x Corunuta Alba seedling. True acid yellow, quite surprising given its parentage. No name as yet, but I will print details when stock has been increased and plants are available.

Overall a valuable exercise, and one that perhaps we should repeat every few years, thus building up a picture of both popular and threatened varieties.