Hi Fitzroy

I have suggested a list of cultivars that would be suitable for growing as mini  standard, quarter standard and half and full standards. I have included some of the older cultivars along with a selection of the newer ones too.

The main criteria is to grow a cultivar that suits your requirements, short jointed and small flowered for the mini and quarter standards and depending upon how much time you have a available any size for the half and full standards (the smaller growing types need a long time and a lot of pinching out to produce a good head.The trailing varieties tend not to make exceptionally good standards.

MINI STANDARDS

Brenda White
Baby Bright
Diane Marie
Diana Wright
Derby Imp,
Katie James
Katrina Thompson
Lambada
Sophie Louise

QUARTER STANDARDS

Alison Ewart
Colne Fantasy
Display
Dollar Princess
Flirtation Waltz
Pink Fantasia
Rose Fantasia
Lovely Les
Shelford

HALF AND FULL STANDARDS

Annabel
Barbara
Barbara Evans
Beacon
Beacon Rosa
Billy Green
Celia Smedley
Dollar Princess
Insuline
Lyes Unique
Thalia

When you say that you want a standard that is ÂhardyÂ, no standard will survive if the stem becomes frosted the plant may survive but it will grow back from the base of the plant, even those that are described as being hardy will not come back as standards without protection.

If you can afford the plant some protection you can have a good standard for many years - I exhibited a standard of Barbara for 15 years.

I hope this helps, and should you need any further information just come back to the forum.

Tight....