QBARS - v29n3 R. catawbiense var. 'Powell Glass'

R. catawbiense var. 'Powell Glass'
Robert G. Shanklin, Old Lyme, Connecticut

This is the beautiful white fifth generation R. catawbiense variant developed by Edmond Amateis by inbreeding with siblings (best white with best white) in the third and fourth generations. He secured seeds of 'Catalgla' ( catawbiense album , Glass) from Joseph Gable who, in turn, had received seeds of the original plant from Mr. Powell Glass who found it while in flower in the mountains of Virginia in 1936. (Quarterly Bulletin, January 15, 1960).

Mr. Amateis commented in the Bulletin that he felt "reasonably certain that the white genes were well stabilized and that 'Powell Glass' could be bred without fear of throwing any tints of purple." We have not tested this theory but from reports from others as well as from minimal personal experience, 'Powell Glass' is proving to be a valuable breeders' aid. As a seed parent crossed with R. yakushimanum the transmittal of hardiness is still under test in our garden.

Mr. Amateis' generous gift of a plant in 1960 has given us great pleasure for 14 years as it has never failed to produce full trusses of medium-size containing pure white flowers with very light purple stamens on nearly every terminal. The plant is now six feet high and five feet wide, vigorous and well-clothed with light green leaves. Extremely hardy, it has never been damaged in temperatures as low as -18° F. Although Mr. Amateis apparently considered that the greatest value of 'Powell Glass' would be in its breeding qualities of hardiness and stabilized color, our specimen possesses additional premium qualities as an ornamental and has grown into better than average form.

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(The photograph is reproduced from Stanley Shuler's book The Gardener's Basic Book of Trees and Shrubs , Simon and Schuster, 1973 with the generous permission of the author.)