

Leading the way with Dianthus
British National Carnation Society
Perpetual Flowering Carnations, My Way – By Desmond Donaldson.
Once well rooted, usually by the first week in December, the cuttings were moved on.
Staking and Forming the Plants
Cutting Flowers and Travelling to London Show
Wins Recorded at RHS Halls, Westminster.
RHS Show, Westminster, October 1990.
RHS Show, Westminster, October 1991.
RHS Show, Westminster, October 1992.
RHS Show, Westminster, October 1993.
RHS Show, Westminster, October 1994.
Articles 4
A Tribute To Desmond Donaldson
Preface Gary Hammerton
I was first drawn to growing carnations following delivery of The Garden News in October 1992, in which the show journalist Jack Wood reported upon the R.H.S show at Westminster earlier that month, covering in detail the achievements of Mr Desmond Donaldson who had won the coveted ‘Daily Mail Gold Cup’ for the third time in succession. The article featured a photograph of Desmond together with his son Ian and both were holding winning vases of Perpetual Flowering Carnations comprising the varieties Joanne’s Highlight, Joanne and Ron’s Joanne. The story stated Desmond had been unwell prior to the show and as a result his son Ian had grown on and looked after the ‘beloved perpetual carnations’ on his father’s behalf. They had then travelled together from Scotland to show them. I was so drawn by the colour and beauty of the flowers that I decided there and then that I must grow a few myself. In the weeks that followed I approached the only carnation grower I was aware of who lived in my area and that was Mick Mackie from Leeds. Luckily for me Mick had already started to propagate his P.F’s and agreed to root a few for me including Joanne’s Highlight and Joanne which he considered to be ‘banker varieties’ himself. Thus my love affair with the carnation had begun.