Postcard in the shape of a fan from Japan.
Another postcard from Japan in the shape of a fan.
Blue Jasmine (Clematis crispa), play cards "The Natural World", U.S. Games Systems INC, 1997.
Reply card by HRH The Princess of Wales, December 1995, see the story below.
From : Wim Snoeijer (1996) Checklist of Clematis grown in Holland. P 36.
Clematis ‘Princess Diana’ (Texensis Group)
Synonym : Clematis ‘The Princess of Wales’ (Texensis Group)
Clematis ‘Princess of Wales’ (Texensis Group)
This plant was raised and introduced by Fretwell, Peveril Clematis Nursery, United Kingdom. Fretwell published the name in his catalogues since its introduction in 1984, and also in his book “Clematis”, 1989, on page 136, under the name ‘The Princess of Wales’.
According to the “International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants – 1995”, cultivar names may not be used twice. This name was already used by Jackman for a large flowering hybrid, at least known in 1890 and still in cultivation today.
During my lectures which I do around the country, and with chats I had in Clematis nurseries, I cam across complaints of the amateur plant lover who wanted a small flowering reddish-pink Clematis for the red border. Unfortunately, they ended up with the large flowering blue Clematis ‘Princess of Wales’ (Patens Group) from Jackman.
Because of the above confusions, I wrote to Fretwell but had no reply. Consequently, I wrot to Dr A.C. Leslie, Registration Officer at the RHS Garden Wisley, United Kingdom.
He wrote to me: “As far as I can see anyone may re-name Fretwell’s plant. It is clearly a matter of courtesy to try and persuade the original author to do it, or at least to agree to the new name.”
“You cannot assume that Fretwell had permission to use the name. You will need to check. There is no legal requirement to get permission but it is generally held to be a matter of courtesy and if permission is withheld, this needs to be respected. I would agree that if the plant was re-named ‘Diana’, further permission might not be needed, but ‘Princess Diana’ might well need further permission to be confirmed.”
I wrote a short not about this matter in the Journal of the British Clematis Society ‘The Clematis’, 1994, page 43. Since then I have not seen a new name published for this plant.
In January 1996, I wrote a letter about this subject to Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales, with the request to give permission for changing the name of this Clematis. As a reply, I received a standard card but without any further notice on the matter. But, as my letter seems to have arrived at the Palace I accept that there is no objection to change the name otherwise I could expect a writtne letter for not allowing me to do so.
I therefore propose the name ‘Princess Diana’ which is also according to the wishes of the raiser as he choose the Title of the Princess in the first place.
Box with 3 pieces of hand soap sold in Holland.
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