During my time working for the famous rose breeder Sam McGredy, some beautiful roses were born, some of which are still popular and have not been surpassed even to this day.
The first rose that I remember was 'Evelyn Fison,' by far the best red Floribunda. And indeed, it stood out in the fields of over 1½ million roses. What a job 'Evelyn' had to be recognized; after long hours of deliberation, the Royal National Rose Society finally awarded her a gold medal in 1963. This is a beautiful rose with a large truss, well spaced with absolutely weather-resistant color. Bred from 'Moulin Rouge' x 'Korona'.
Another floribunda that was born just before 'Evelyn' is 'Daily Sketch,' a really fragrant plum and silver bicolour, which seems to flourish without disease. It has extremely good foliage. One of the best for poor soil conditions. Bred from 'Ma Perkins' x 'Grand Gala'.
1962 also saw the introduction of 'Paddy McGredy' named after Sam's sister, a beautiful Floribunda with flowers as big as Hybrid Teas, produced in great profusion and exquisitely shaped. This rose can have up to thirty blossoms open at one time. Bred from 'Spartan' x 'Tzigane'.
One of McGredy's best roses of the early sixties was 'Mischief,' a beautiful H.T. that grows strongly to a nice height, appears never to be out of flower, is disease-free and just laughs at the rain. The buds open to the beautiful shaped rose and the coral-salmon colour is most appealing. Bred from 'Peace' x 'Spartan'.
'Miss Ireland,' an H.T. bred by McGredy in 1961 is a decorative rose with rich orange petals creamy yellow on the reverse giving a bicolour effect of great charm. For those of you who like roses as cut flowers, this is the one to grow. The blooms are held erect on strong stems and contrasting dark foliage. Bred from 'Tzigane' x 'Independance'.
1963 'Uncle Walter,' 1963 rose of the year, was called after Sam's uncle . This is a vigorous H.T with strong stems that can reach five feet. The blooms themselves are classical hybrid tea shape, unfading, non-blueing, and a rich red colour. Bred from 'Brilliant' x 'Heidleberg'.
1963 also saw the birth of 'Violet Carson,' a floribunda bred from 'Madam Leo Cuny' x 'Spartan'. A rose whose lovely peach and biscuit colour with yellow reverse is both charming and novel, the softly coloured Hybrid Tea type buds open slowly and are of superb shape. A vigorous disease-resistant grower, with glossy dark green foliage. The dark red shade of the new wood is a delightful contrast to the colour of the flower. It stands up well to heavy rain.
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