JARS v61n3 - The Lofthouse Legacy: A Sequel

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.

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.

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	(Lem’s 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	(Lem’s Cameo X Pink Petticoats No. 8)	Recently Planted	Cherry Point Rhodos
24	Lem’s Cameo x P. Petticoats #7	(Lem’s Cameo X Pink Petticoats)
25	Lem’s Cameo x P. Petticoats #12	(Lem’s 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	(Lem’s Cameo X [(Fabia x R. bureavii ) x Crest])	Recently Planted	C. Round
34	Rose Blewett*	(Lem’s 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	(Lem’s Cameo X Ruby Bowman No. 25)	Inherited - Planted	J. Lofthouse
43	Spring Joy*	( R. yakushimanum 1 X Pink Petticoats)	Searching
44	Hotei x Lem’s Cameo No. 55	(Hotei X Lem’s Cameo No. 55)	Searching
45A	Strawberry Float*	(Lem’s Cameo X Pink Petticoats No.20)	Searching
46	Proposal*	(Sunup-Sundown X One Thousand Butterflies No. 82)	Searching
47	Butter Brickle	(Hotei X Lem’s Cameo No. 82)	Established	J. Lofthouse
48	Tofino	(Lem’s 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 83-4—8A	(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 Lem’s Cameo)	Searching
54	Burnished Brass*	(Hotei X Copper Kettles)	Searching
55	Painted Skies	(Sunup - Sundown X Lem’s Cameo)	Recently Planted	J. Lofthouse (Inherited)
56	Unnamed	(Hotei X Selected Whitney’s 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 Lem’s Cameo)	Searching
59	Silver Trumpets	(Sunup-Sundown X Selected Whitney hybrid)	Searching
60	Star Ship One*	(Lem’s Cameo X [ Jalisco x (Crest x King of Shrubs)])	Searching
61	O’Canada	(Lem’s Cameo X [Jalisco x (Crest x King of Shrubs)])	Established	Hammond’s 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	(Lem’s Cameo X Pink Petticoats No.2)	Established	J. Lofthouse
65	Unnamed	(Lem’s 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	(Lem’s Cameo X Ruby Bowman)	Recently Planted	N. Todd ???
68	Spanish Gold x Sonata	(Spanish Gold* X Sonata)	Searching
69	Unnamed	(Lem’s Cameo X Ruby Bowman)	Searching
70	Sunrise Serenade	(Hotei X Lem’s Cameo)	Searching
71	Sierra Treasure	(Crest X R. lacteum )	Searching
72	Mother Lode*	([C.I.S. x Lem’s Goal] X [Jalisco x Yellow Creek])	cuttings started	N. Todd/K. Gibson
73	Brief Encounter*	(Sunup-Sundown X Lem’s Cameo)	Searching
74	Unnamed	(Lem’s Cameo X Corry Koster)	Recently Planted	J. Lofthouse (inherited)
75	Butter Fudge*	(Hotei X Lem’s Cameo #11)	Searching
76	Unnamed	(Sunup - Sundown X Lem’s 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*	(Lem’s 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 Lem’s 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 Lem’s 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 Lem’s Cameo)	Searching
95	Southern Skies	(Sunup-Sundown X Lem’s 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	(Lem’s 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*	(Lem’s Cameo X Pink Petticoats)	Searching
102	Unnamed	(Sunup - Sundown X One Thousand Butterflies)	Established	J. Lofthouse
103	Unnamed	(Lem’s Cameo X Pink Petticoats)	Searching
104	Unnamed	(Lem’s 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 [Lem’s 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	Lofthouse’s Legacy	(Butter Brickle X Viennese Waltz)	Established	J. Lofthouse
112	Hawaiian Sunset*	(Sierra del Oro X O.P. Hybrid)	Searching
113	Rainbow’s End	(Butter Brickle X [Fabia x Lem’s 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 Lem’s 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'

'Butter Brickle' X 'Jeda'
('Hotei' x 'Juanita') X 'Viennese Waltz'
'Butter Brickle' X 'Babylon'

'Camflo'*
R. montroseanum X 'Malahat'
R. montroseanum X 'Elizabeth'
'Pure Class'*
'Party Orange'* X 'Sierra del Oro'

'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'

'Jeda' X 'Viennese Waltz'

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.