In the 1970s rumours circulated that a yellow fuchsia had been bred. After some intense interest and speculation, nothing appeared, and the subject died a quick death, never to be mentioned again. That was until a photograph that purports to show a yellow fuchsia called ‘Sally Brass’ recently circulated on social media. A yellow fuchsia would be a breakthrough, if in fact it occurred. So, what is the reality?
There were actually two rumours: firstly, that a well-known and respected breeder, Cliff Gadsby had raised two seedlings with a yellow corolla, one single, the other double. The second rumour surrounded a double white and yellow cultivar by Wilfred Jones, called ‘Sally Brass’.
Leo Boullemier, in his checklist stated that, “It is not generally known that Cliff (Gadsby) did produce the elusive yellow, a pale primrose double in 1971 and a pale mimosa single in 1972 but he considered they looked nothing like a beautiful fuchsia for colour and although the single was somewhat attractive with a refined shaped bloom, he did not proceed with them as another fault was the weak habit of growth, he eventually discarded them…which he confirmed to me personally.”
Cliff was a well-known and respected breeder. He was responsible for many outstanding introductions, including Lady Isobel Barnett, Upward Look, Cloverdale Pearl, and Derby Imp. His hybridization programme was extensive, so producing yellow seedlings was possible as a result of his experimentation. But, we have no evidence, other than Leo’s comments, to support the existence of these raisings. I knew Leo (we both lived in Northampton) and he confirmed that he had not actually seen either seedlings.
What do we make of all this? I would expect such a significant claim to have been supported by some further evidence. Colour photographs would have been helpful; the technology was in place. Cliff Gadbsy kept detailed records of his crossings but, surprisingly, only one of the ‘yellow’ raisings is recorded, and the parentage given as ‘confidential’ x ‘confidential’. Given that the records were for his own benefit, why deny himself the names of the parents?
The comment about weak habit of growth is also not convincing: William Story in 1855 introduced Mrs Story and Queen Victoria, the first red and white cultivars, and they were a sensation. According to contemporary records they were weak, straggly and sparse in flower. But that didn’t matter as the colour break was the important development and we owe all subsequent red and whites to this breakthrough. As for being weak, it is possible to graft onto a stronger growing stock.
Verdict: there is no real information other than the reference in Leo’s book. I would have expected such a breakthrough to have been supported by some evidence. I have great doubts that such raisings ever existed.
‘Sally Brass’ was a double cultivar with white tube and sepals and yellow corolla. It was raised by Wilfred Jones of Tattenhall Nurseries in the early 1970s. there was considerable hype at the time but, again, no actual eye-witnesses. However, we do have somewhat more anecdotal evidence. For this we are indebted to Joan, Wilfred’s grand-daughter, and Gavin, her son, both for recollections and supporting evidence. The recently resurfaced photograph came by way of Alan Pacey, son of Bob Pacey of Stathern nursery fame. Alan inherited the photograph from his father, who was given it by Jones. Alan can recall sitting in the car whilst Bob Pacey met Wilfred Jones, an old man at the time, at the latter’s nursery. Alan believed that his father was going to introduce Sally Brass, by agreement, but that Wilfred had said that if it didn’t work out then Sally Brass would die with him.
The specific photograph of Sally Brass had details on the back. I have seen, via Joan and Gavin, another apparently identical photograph with complete details on the back, as well as the original with no additional markings. Jones took photographs of a number of his introductions for publicity purposes. All the photos of ‘Sally Brass’ appear to be identical and clearly show a corolla in differing shades of yellow, and slightly different colours on different flowers. At the time of capture, film technology required colouration to be done on the negative only, and the subtlety and depth of colouring suggest that it would have been extremely difficult, if not impossible, to have made such touching up.
Jones also entered into conversations about Sally Brass with various fuchsia enthusiasts and sent them copies of the picture. As well as Alan Pacey there is detailed correspondence with James Travis, leading fuchsia nurseryman and expert at the time, and Joseph Machado, nurseryman in the US, who introduced some of Jones’s raisings. There is also evidence that he sent photos and held discussions with other fuchsia experts of the time.
His order book for 1963 indicates that he had requests for Sally Brass, although I have yet to find a copy of his catalogue for that or any subsequent years. [ I have had sight of an earlier catalogue].
Comment: There is no absolute proof of the existence of Sally Brass, but a fair amount of anecdotal support. I have discussed photo retouching with a university lecturer on photography, and he is very doubtful if such retouching or use of filters could achieve the effects seen on the photographs at the time. The colouring would have to have been done on the negative and there would be very few people with such expertise.
Then we would ask the question ‘Why would a man in his old age fabricate such a detailed story, and for what purpose?’. We know he spoke to Bob Pacey about its introduction, we have a photograph which it would be extremely hard to fake, and we have correspondence that shows he discussed his raising with a range of people both in the UK and the US at the time, including James Travis.
Verdict: it is more than likely that he did raise Sally Brass but, that for whatever reasons – probably his age – the cultivar never saw the light of day.
Any thoughts? Amy further evidence either for or against would be appreciated.
Article written by John Palmer
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