The Lofthouse Legacy: A Sequel
Paul Wurz
Campbell River, British Columbia
Canada
After reading the final paragraph in an article in the Journal written by Clive Justice (Spring 2005) acknowledging Jack Lofthouse's achievements in hybridizing rhododendrons, I recognized the opportunity to be a part of the Lofthouse Legacy. Aside from this conclusion of Clive's article, I recalled a conversation at the recent ARS Annual Convention in Victoria where one of my peers questioned: "I wonder how many of Jack's hybrids will still be cultivated fifty years from now?" The consensus was: "probably not very many." On reflecting on this statement I questioned the possibility of expanding our garden in Campbell River, British Columbia, to include as many of Jack's hybrids as possible, and perhaps making a contribution to continuing the existence of many excellent rhododendrons. In our small retirement nursery we manage to propagate (by cuttings) approximately a thousand plants a year. Lofthouse rhododendrons have, and will be, a significant percentage of this number.
Jack Lofthouse with his hybrids.
Photo by Paul Wurz |
A Brief History
We started growing rhododendrons in our garden in the late '70s in a very modest way. Of the first dozen or so rhododendrons that we grew: 'Frilled Petticoats', 'One Thousand Butterflies', and 'Supergold' were in the midst. Jack's cross
Rhododendron degronianum
ssp.
yakushimanum
X 'Gypsy King' was the first rhododendron that I actively pursued, and I eventually purchased a small plant from Terry Richmond in Port Alberni, B.C.
A further interest in Lofthouse rhododendrons increased in the mid '80s when I visited, and introduced myself, to Jack in his Vancouver home with the intent of purchasing a few more of his hybrids. These visits became a regular ritual, as our third child was required to visit the Children's Hospital in Vancouver, semi-annually, for a period that extended over 15 years. As Jack and Edith Lofthouse's home was only 15 minutes away from the hospital it was a great opportunity to collect more of his plants and, more importantly, talk rhododendrons, hybridizing, and characteristics of his rhododendrons. As a relative neophyte in the rhododendron world these visits were instrumental in developing a real appreciation of the genus
Rhododendron
.
On most of these visits I returned to Campbell River with a half dozen or more of his hybrids. Some of these were registered, others named but not registered, and others were untested seedlings. During later visits Jack gave permission to register any of his unregistered plants after his death. The last plant that I obtained from Jack was a small 1-inch seedling that he picked out of a small flat. He teased me with the possibility of giving me the entire flat of 50 or more plants as he felt they would probably be in better care since by then his health was failing. This flat was a culmination of 50 or more years of hybridizing. The destiny of this flat is not known to me. I recently planted this seedling, now 18 inches tall, in my garden. Unfortunately the parentage will not be known, as my final e-mail to Jack coincided with his death in January 3, 2005.
Plant Inheritance
After Jack's death (his wife Edith continues to live in their Vancouver home), myself and Ron Knight of Pender Harbor were given permission to access the remaining plants in Jack's nursery and garden, by his daughter Sue. Each of us inherited a "pick-up" of mostly potted plants. The majority were well labeled, but others had lost their tags in the last year or so prior to his death. Many of these plants have been planted in our gardens where others remain in the "sick bed" in their pots.
A Retirement Project
After considerable thought, I decided to take on the task of collecting and planting as many of Jack's hybrids as possible. The quest for his hybrids started, perusing Nursery catalogues. This was not particularly successful, as most of his hybrids were not available. Contacting other rhododendron collectors proved more successful - as various cuttings are currently in our propagating bed. Harry Wright's book
Rhododendrons and Locations within British Columbia
has also been an excellent reference. In this publication an extensive inventory of rhododendrons grown in British Columbia are documented with the name of the "grower." Many of these gardeners have recently been contacted. Finally, the publication of this article in the ARS Journal could help access many "growers" in the Pacific Northwest. Jack often made reference to collectors of his hybrids in Washington and Oregon.
'Peach Petticoats'.
Photo by Paul Wurz |
'Yellow Petticoats'.
Photo by Paul Wurz |
'Tofino'.
Photo by Paul Wurz |
Within the last year I presented a "Lofthouse Legacy" program to most of the rhododendron societies in ARS District 1. This has been a very rewarding process and I have come up with many plants. For example, 'Pink Petticoats' from Sean Rafferty in Vancouver, 'Lady of Spain' from Arthur Ralfs in Victoria, 'Rose Blewett'* from Norm Todd in Victoria, 'Party Orange'* x 'Viennese Waltz' cross from Art Kilwart in Maple Ridge, and 'Promise of Spring' from Ken Webb in Victoria. Many Lofthouse hybrid cuttings were also collected from Dr. Bob Rhodes, Ken Gibson, Norm Todd, and Garth Wedemire. Of equal importance has been making new contacts with individuals who knew Jack.
Jack's List
As Jack was in the business of hybridizing, propagating and marketing his hybrids he did have a procedure to advertise his plants worldwide. Jack's list, which he made available to nurseries and collectors, will be included in this article in an abbreviated form. Descriptions of plants, growing recommendations, awards, etc., have been deleted. His "list" was frequently added to, and updated as shown on the list. Plants that are designated with an asterisk (*) indicate which plant names have not been officially recognized or registered. Clive Justice's ARS article Spring 2005 does designate which of Jack's rhododendrons are registered.
The list obtained from Jack is not complete, as tags on plants I inherited go as high as 125, and his published list ends at 119. For example, some of Jack's hybrids such as 'Stardancer', 'Moondancer', and 'Peach Speckles'* are not on his list. Jack often labeled named plants with numbers only, in his nursery, which created some confusion. As with many hybridizers, many of his seedlings were "farmed out" to friends and collectors increasing the difficulty of monitoring his plants. In my garden I have three of Jack's crosses of 'Party Orange'* X 'Viennese Waltz' - all different!
On the following table I indicated the parentage, status of the plants in our garden, and those which I would hope to obtain in the future. If readers of this article do have access to some of Jack's plants that I am searching for I would be interested in hearing from them.
Table 1. The Lofthouse Hybrids | ||||
NO: | Plant Name: | Parentage: | Status in garden: | Source: |
1 | Pink Petticoats | (Jan Dekens X Britannia) | Recently Planted 3 ft | Sean Rafferty |
2 | White Wedding | ( R. yakushimanum 1 X R. makinoi ) | Cuttings started | K. Gibson - N. Todd |
3 | Canadian Beauty | (Mrs Horace Fogg X Point Defiance) | Established - 3 ft | J. Lofthouse |
4 | Pirouette | ( R. yakushimanum 1 X Pink Petticoats) | Recently Planted 2 ft | |
5 | Snowstorm | (Cary Ann X R. yakushimanum 1 ) | Established - 1 1/2 ft | J. Lofthouse |
6 | Unnamed 2 | ( R. yakushimanum 1 X Gipsy King) | Established - 3 ft. | T. Richmond |
7 | Promise of Spring | ( R. strigillosum X R. arboreum ) | Recently Planted | K. Webb |
8 | Cherry Float | (Naomi Seedling) | Established - 3 ft | K. Gibson - "cutting" |
9 | Wally Zeglet | ( R. fortunei selection) | Cuttings | Alouette Nursery |
10 | Lady of Spain | (Mrs Horace Fogg X Point Defiance) | Reserved | A. Ralfs |
11 | Ooh-la-la | (R. yakushimanum 1 X Pink Petticoats) | Established - 4 ft | J. Lofthouse |
12 | Truly Fair | (White Wedding X War Paint) | Searching | |
13 | Copper Kettles | ([Souvenir of W.C. Slocock x R. apodectum ] X Crest) | Searching | |
14 | Magic Moments | ( R. yakushimanum 1 X R. aberconwayi ) | Established - 2 1/2 ft | J. Lofthouse |
15 | Sierra Sunrise | (Mrs Horace Fogg X Point Defiance) | Established | J. Lofthouse |
16 | Canadian Gold | (Hotei x select R. wardii cross) | In Pot | J. Lofthouse (Inherited) |
17 | Cherry Custard | (Elsie Straver X Roman Pottery, Fabia Group) | Established - 3 ft | J. Lofthouse |
18 | Lemon Float | (Hotei X [White Wedding x R. lacteum ]) | Established - 3 ft | Clay Nursery |
19 | Golden Moments | (Hotei X [Pink Petticoats x R. wardii selfed]) | Searching | |
20 | One Thousand Butterflies | (Lems Cameo X Pink Petticoats No. 18) | Established | N. Todd |
21 | Frilled Petticoats | (Hotei X [Pink Petticoats x R. wardii selfed]) | Established | |
22 | Sunup-Sundown | ( Yak . x Fabia x {(Fabia x R. bureavii ) x Crest)]???? | Established | C. Smith |
23 | Excalibur | (Lems Cameo X Pink Petticoats No. 8) | Recently Planted | Cherry Point Rhodos |
24 | Lems Cameo x P. Petticoats #7 | (Lems Cameo X Pink Petticoats) | ||
25 | Lems Cameo x P. Petticoats #12 | (Lems Cameo X Pink Petticoats) | ||
26 | Sierra del Oro | (Crest X R. lacteum No. 13) | Cuttings started | G. Wedemire |
27 | Unnamed | ( R. lacteum X Point Defiance) | Searching | |
28 | Castanets | (Jan Dekens X Point Defiance No. 78) | Established | N. Todd |
29 | April Affair | (Pirouette X Promise of Spring) | Searching | |
30 | Unnamed | ([Pink Petticoats x R. wardii ] f2 X Corry Koster) | Searching | |
31 | Sierra Beauty | (Mrs Horace Fogg X Point Defiance) | Searching | |
32 | Red Petticoats* | (Pink Petticoats X Britannia) | Searching | |
33 | Coral Skies | (Lems Cameo X [(Fabia x R. bureavii ) x Crest]) | Recently Planted | C. Round |
34 | Rose Blewett* | (Lems Cameo X [(Fabia x R. bureavii ) x Crest]) | 1 Gallon Pot | N. Todd |
35 | Yellow Petticoats | (Hotei X [Pink Petticoats x R. wardii ]) f2 | Established | Clay Nursery |
36 | Supergold | (Hotei x Juanita) | Established | J. Lofthouse |
ADDITIONS 1986 | ||||
37 | Mantilla* | (Lemon Float X [ R. yakushimanum x Gypsy King] No. 18]) | Searching | |
38 | Color Carnival* | (Lemon Float X [ R. yakushimanum x Gypsy King] No. 56]) | Searching | |
39 | Unnamed | (Hotei X Cameo No. 18) | Established | J. Lofthouse |
40 | Hotei x Copper Kettles No. 5 | (Hotei X Copper Kettles No. 5) | Searching | |
41 | Christmas Candles* | ([Jan Dekens x R. haematodes ] X May Day) | Searching | |
42 | Party Package | (Lems Cameo X Ruby Bowman No. 25) | Inherited - Planted | J. Lofthouse |
43 | Spring Joy* | ( R. yakushimanum 1 X Pink Petticoats) | Searching | |
44 | Hotei x Lems Cameo No. 55 | (Hotei X Lems Cameo No. 55) | Searching | |
45A | Strawberry Float* | (Lems Cameo X Pink Petticoats No.20) | Searching | |
46 | Proposal* | (Sunup-Sundown X One Thousand Butterflies No. 82) | Searching | |
47 | Butter Brickle | (Hotei X Lems Cameo No. 82) | Established | J. Lofthouse |
48 | Tofino | (Lems Cameo X [Jalisco x King of Shrubs]) | Established | J. Lofthouse |
49 | Fusilier x Red Walloper No. 9 | (Fusilier X Red Walloper No. 9) | Searching | |
50 | Plant 83-48A | (Hotei X [White Wedding x R. lacteum ]) | Searching | |
51 | L Orchid | ([Elsie Straver x R. apodectum ] X [White Wedding x R. lacteum ]) | Searching | |
;52 | Plant 83-4-14c | (Hotei x [White Wedding x R. lacteum ] x Copper Kettles)?? | Searching | |
53 | Sierra Sunset | (Sunup-Sundown X Lems Cameo) | Searching | |
54 | Burnished Brass* | (Hotei X Copper Kettles) | Searching | |
55 | Painted Skies | (Sunup - Sundown X Lems Cameo) | Recently Planted | J. Lofthouse (Inherited) |
56 | Unnamed | (Hotei X Selected Whitneys Best Yellow) | Searching | |
57 | Unnamed | ([(Souvenir of V.C. Slocock x R. apodectum ] x Crest] X [Fabia x R. bureavii x Crest])???? | ||
58 | Enticement | (Sunup-Sundown X Lems Cameo) | Searching | |
59 | Silver Trumpets | (Sunup-Sundown X Selected Whitney hybrid) | Searching | |
60 | Star Ship One* | (Lems Cameo X [ Jalisco x (Crest x King of Shrubs)]) | Searching | |
61 | OCanada | (Lems Cameo X [Jalisco x (Crest x King of Shrubs)]) | Established | Hammonds Rhodos |
62 | Plant 83-6-5A | (Sunup-Sundown X One Thousand Butterflies) | Searching | |
63 | Sierra Stars | (Sunup-Sundown X One Thousand Butterflies) | Searching | |
64 | Viennese Waltz | (Lems Cameo X Pink Petticoats No.2) | Established | J. Lofthouse |
65 | Unnamed | (Lems Cameo) X [(Fabia x R. bureavii ) x Crest #1]) | Searching | |
ADDED 1986 | ||||
66 | Plant 84 - 4 - 11 A | (Lemon Float X [ R. yakushimanum x Gypsy King]) | Searching | |
67 | Plant 85 - 5 - 7A | (Lems Cameo X Ruby Bowman) | Recently Planted | N. Todd ??? |
68 | Spanish Gold x Sonata | (Spanish Gold* X Sonata) | Searching | |
69 | Unnamed | (Lems Cameo X Ruby Bowman) | Searching | |
70 | Sunrise Serenade | (Hotei X Lems Cameo) | Searching | |
71 | Sierra Treasure | (Crest X R. lacteum ) | Searching | |
72 | Mother Lode* | ([C.I.S. x Lems Goal] X [Jalisco x Yellow Creek]) | cuttings started | N. Todd/K. Gibson |
73 | Brief Encounter* | (Sunup-Sundown X Lems Cameo) | Searching | |
74 | Unnamed | (Lems Cameo X Corry Koster) | Recently Planted | J. Lofthouse (inherited) |
75 | Butter Fudge* | (Hotei X Lems Cameo #11) | Searching | |
76 | Unnamed | (Sunup - Sundown X Lems Cameo) | Searching | |
77 | Unnamed | (Lemon Float X [ R. yakushimanum x Gypsy King]) | Searching | |
78 | Unnamed | (Sunup-Sundown X Selected Whitney Hybrid) | Recently Planted | J. Lofthouse (inherited) |
79 | Yellow Butterflies* | (Hotei X E.O. Webber*) | Searching | |
80 | June Sinclair* | ([ R. macabeanum x Malahat] X R. strigillosu m hybrid)??? | Searching | |
81 | French Lady* | (Lems Cameo X [(Fabia x R. bureavii ) x Crest]) | Searching | |
82 | Unnamed | (Sunup-Sundown X One Thousand Butterflies) | Recently Planted | Alouette Nursery |
83 | Unnamed | (Sunup-Sundown X Lems Cameo) | Searching | |
84 | Jeda | (Butter Brickle X [Sunup-Sundown x selected Whitney Hybrid]) | Established | J. Lofthouse |
85 | Unnamed | (Sunup-Sundown X One thousand Butterflies) | Searching | |
86 | Sun God* | (Sunup-Sundown X Lems Cameo) | Searching | |
87 | Sierra Magic* | (Alice Street X R.wardii ) | Searching | |
88 | Kisha* | ([(Souvenir of W.C. Slocock x R. apodectum ) x Crest] x [R. bureavii x Crest]) | Searching | |
89 | Unnamed | (Butter Brickle X Noyo Chief) | Searching | |
90 | Irish Spring* | (Southern Belle X Magic Moments) | Searching | |
91 | Lorelei* | (Sunup-Sundown X Witch Doctor) | Searching | |
92 | Unnamed | ( R. yakushimanum 1 X Bow Bells) | Searching | |
ADDITIONS - 1988 - 89 | ||||
93 | Cinnamon* | (Sunup-Sundown X selected Whitney Hybrid) | Searching | |
94 | Tahitian Sunset* | (Sunup-Sundown X Lems Cameo) | Searching | |
95 | Southern Skies | (Sunup-Sundown X Lems Cameo) | Established | J. Lofthouse |
96 | Unnamed | (Butter Brickle X [Sunup-Sundown x Selected Whitney Hybrid]) | Searching | |
97 | Unnamed | (Butter Brickle X [Sunup-Sundown x selected Whitney Hybrid]) | Established | J. Lofthouse |
98 | Unnamed | (Butter Brickle X [Sunup-Sundown x selected Whitney Hybrid]) | Searching | |
99 | Chorus Line | (Lems Cameo X Pink Petticoats) | In Pot | J. Lofthouse (inherited) |
100 | Yellow Jello* | (Butter Brickle X [Sunup=Sundown x selected Whitney Hybrid]) | Searching | |
101 | French Vanilla* | (Lems Cameo X Pink Petticoats) | Searching | |
102 | Unnamed | (Sunup - Sundown X One Thousand Butterflies) | Established | J. Lofthouse |
103 | Unnamed | (Lems Cameo X Pink Petticoats) | Searching | |
104 | Unnamed | (Lems Cameo X Pink Petticoats) | Recently Planted | J. Lofthouse (inherited) |
105 | Party Orange* | (Butter Brickle X selected Zimmerman Yellow) | Established | J. Lofthouse |
106 | Unnamed | (Sunup - Sundown x selected Whitney Hybrid) | Searching | |
107 | Sierra Dawn* | (Butter Brickle X selected Zimmerman Yellow) | Recently planted | J. Lofthouse (inherited) |
108 | Unnamed | (Butter Brickle X [Lems Cameo x Corry Koster]) | Searching | |
ADDITIONS 1990 | ||||
109 | April Beauty* | ([ R. lacteum x Point Defiance] X Juanita) | Searching | |
110 | Plant No. 89 - 5 - 15* | (Supergold X Butter Brickle) | Searching | |
111 | Lofthouses Legacy | (Butter Brickle X Viennese Waltz) | Established | J. Lofthouse |
112 | Hawaiian Sunset* | (Sierra del Oro X O.P. Hybrid) | Searching | |
113 | Rainbows End | (Butter Brickle X [Fabia x Lems Early Orange]) | Searching | |
114 | Treasure Chest* | (Butter Brickle X [Sunup-Sundown x selected Whitney hybrid]) | Searching | |
115 | Unnamed | (Butter Brickle X [Sunup-Sundown x selected Whitney hybrid]) | Searching | |
116 | Fruit Cocktail* | (Butter Brickle X Viennese Waltz) | Recently Planted | J. Lofthouse (inherited) |
117 | Unnamed | (Sunup - Sundown X Witch Doctor) | Recently Planted | J. Lofthouse (inherited) |
118 | Unnamed | (Butter Brickle X [Sunup-Sundown x selected Whitney Hybrid]) | Searching (L. Clay) | |
119 | Plant No. 85 - 5 - 18A* | (Hotei X Lems Cameo) | Searching | |
1
R. degronianum
ssp.
yakushimanum
according to the Edinburgh Revision classification.
2 Plants marked "Unnamed" were originally given names that had already been used as registered names of other rhododendrons. |
||||
Plants in Our Garden Not Included on Jack's List
'Moon Dancer'
'Star Dancer'
'Peach Speckles'*
'Butter Brickle' X 'Noyo Chief'
'Party Orange'* X 'Viennese Waltz'
'Party Orange'* X 'Viennese Waltz'
Photo by Paul Wurz |
'Butter Brickle' X 'Jeda'
('Hotei' x 'Juanita') X 'Viennese Waltz'
'Butter Brickle' X 'Babylon'
'Butter Brickle' X 'Babylon'
Photo by Paul Wurz |
'Camflo'*
R. montroseanum
X 'Malahat'
R. montroseanum
X 'Elizabeth'
'Pure Class'*
'Party Orange'* X 'Sierra del Oro'
'Party Orange'* X 'Sierra del Oro'
Photo by Paul Wurz |
'Yellow Petticoats' X 'Viennese Waltz'
'Butter Brickle' X ('Sunup-Sundown x selected Whitney hybrid)
'Sierra del Oro' X 'Viennese Waltz'
'Butter Brickle' X 'Sierra Treasure'
'Fusilier' X 'Red Walloper'
R. degronianum
ssp.
yakushimanum
Exbury X 'Butter Brickle'
R. degronianum
ssp.
yakushimanum
Exbury X 'Butter Brickle'
Photo by Paul Wurz |
'Jeda' X 'Viennese Waltz'
'Jeda' X 'Viennese Waltz'
Photo by Paul Wurz |
R. montroseanum
X 'Viennese Waltz'
R. macabeanum
X 'Promise of Spring'
'Butter Brickle' X 'Ruby Bowman'
Conclusion
The process of collecting as many of Jack's hybrids as possible and developing a central location where they can be displayed is proving to be a very interesting and challenging experience. During this process I have come in contact with many of Jack's acquaintances which frequently led to discussion of the attributes of his plants. Although a small percentage of his plants were difficult to cultivate, and did not live up to their expectations, there is little doubt that Jack possessed a remarkable ability to create, and duplicate desirable characteristics of the genus
Rhododendron
that led to the development of excellent plants. I personally believe that he deserves recognition as one of the excellent hybridizers in the rhododendron world. I also would like to thank those individuals that have contributed Jack's plants to our garden.
* Name is not registered.
Paul Wurz is a member of the North Island Chapter.