Book  (2012)  
 
p41. 'Elizabeth Colenso'. Ken Nobbs describes this rose as 'a remarkable rose of extraordinary independence' and ti is aptly named. A seedling from 'R. chinensis Mutabilis', it has single blooms of sulphur yellow, which change and darken with age much in the manner of 'Mutabilis'. It has been described by Ken as a frequent bloomer well into the winter. Ken had a terrible habit of renaming roses and I have been unable to find the registration papers for either 'William Colenso' or 'Elizabeth Colenso', except that among his papers are some handwritten notes indicating that William was now Elizabeth. It is believed to have been bred in the mid-1980s. Ken had suggested 'Elizabeth' be planted in a commemorative garden at St. Margaret's Anglican Church, Auckland and the vicarage next door. It may still be there flowering independently in the spirit of Elizabeth, but alas, I had suspected that this was another lost beauty as I did not discover it in my travels to the far north. However, it was recently re-discovered growing through a cypress tree at St. John's College, Auckland. Margaret Williams, Ken's daughter, wrote in December 2011 'I looked closely at the garden behind the Paterson Building at St. John's College this week and found to my delight a very precious rose still growing there. It is the 'William Colenso' rose, growing up through a conifer under the shade of a shelter tree. It has grown into a standard and been cropped at the top. It is a sad specimen, but the only one we know of so please, please keep it until we can take budwood or cuttings. It has a pale single flower.' The plant has been left because they could not get at it because of the conifer surrounding it. It is growing in shade so has a pale cream flower, but original landscaping plans confirm that it is definitely 'William Colenso'. A single cutting from this found rose survives in my garden, saving it from extinction.

p109. 'The Active'. A seedling from R. chinensis 'Mutabilis' and a sister seedling to 'Elizabeth Colenso'. Ken describes this rose in his registration form as having single sulphur-yellow blooms. Our experience is different and is of a rose with golden buds opening to pale apricot blooms which rapidly fade to white.....