Is anybody growing "Jane Cranston"? Has anybody done any more work on this foundling? The size of the bloom and the darker center could fit the 1891 tea 'Medea', but Lockley's photo of the standard of 'Medea' seems to show a lot of prickles.
Unlike Medea, "Jane Cranston" wouldn't be described as very double or having fine form. It's very like Isabella Sprunt but so far is low-growing in my garden (zone 9b, slightly acidic soil over clay). Its redeeming feature is good winter flowering.
Thanks Margaret. Unfortunately nobody has mentioned the original height of "Jane Cranston" but we take it on board that your plant is low. In your wonderful soil, low in your garden must mean the original bush was miniscule. 'Medea' was said to be strong and vigorous, and so I'll add 'Medea' to the list of rejections.
I came across a labelled specimen of "Jane Cranston" in the Barbara May Garden at Rookwood today. I don't know how old the plant was but it didn't look too young and it was definitely low-growing and somewhat spreading. A good colour of yellow, I thought. It's definitely not "Vestey's Yellow Tea" which I grow and is quite large and vigorous.
