the varieties of a plant are, by botanists, designated by names intended to convey an idea of certain characteristics,—the form and consistency of the leaves, the arrangement, number, size, and color of the flowers, seed-vessels, etc. the varieties of roses, however, have so few distinct characteristics, that florists find it difficult to give any name expressive of the very slight shades of difference in the color or form of the flower. fanciful names have therefore been chosen, indiscriminately, according to the taste of the grower; and we thus find classed, in brotherly nearness, napoleon and wellington, queen victoria and louis philippe, othello and wilberforce, with many others. any half-dozen english or french rose growers may give the name of their favorite wellington or napoleon to a rose raised by each of them, and entirely different in form and color from the other five bearing the same name. thus has arisen the great confusion in rose nomenclature.
a still greater difficulty and confusion, however, exists in the classification adopted by the various english and french rose growers. by these, classes are multiplied and roses placed in them without sufficient attention to their distinctive characters; these are subsequently changed to other classes, to the utter confusion of those who are really desirous of obtaining some knowledge of the respective varieties. even rivers, the most correct of them all, has in several catalogues the same rose in as many different classes, and his book may perhaps place it in another. he thus comments upon this constant change:
[pg 28]
“within the last ten years, how many plants have been named and unnamed, classed and re-classed!—professor a. placing it here, and dr. b. placing it there! i can almost imagine dame nature laughing in her sleeve, when our philosophers are thus puzzled. well, so it is, in a measure, with roses; a variety has often equal claims to two classes. first impressions have perhaps placed it in one, and there rival amateurs should let it remain.”
if there exists, then, this doubt of the proper class to which many roses belong, we think it would be better to drop entirely this sub-classification, and adopt some more general heads, under one of which every rose can be classed. it may often be difficult to ascertain whether a rose is a damask, a provence, or a hybrid china; but there can be no difficulty in ascertaining whether it is dwarf or climbing, whether it blooms once or more in the year, and whether the leaves are rough as in the remontants, or smooth as in the bengals. we have therefore endeavored to simplify the old classification, and have placed all roses under three principal heads, viz:
i. those that make distinct and separate periods of bloom throughout the season, as the remontant roses.
ii. those that bloom continually, without any temporary cessation, as the bourbon, china, etc.
iii. those that bloom only once in the season, as the french and others.
remontants.—the first of these divisions includes only the present damask and hybrid perpetuals, and for these we know no term so expressive as the french remontant. “perpetual” does not express their true character.
everblooming roses is the name we give to those included under the second general head. this is divided into five classes:
1. the bourbon, the varieties of which are easily known by their luxuriant growth, and thick, large, leathery leaves. these are, moreover, reasonably hardy.
[pg 29]
2. the china.—this includes the present china, tea, and noisette roses, which are now much confused, as there are many among the teas which are not tea-scented, and among the noisettes are those which do not bloom in clusters; they are, moreover, so much alike in their growth and habit, that it is better each should stand upon its own merits, and not on the characteristics of an imaginary class.
3. musk.—roses of this class are known by their rather rougher foliage.
4. macartney.—the varieties of this are distinguished by their very rich, glossy, almost evergreen foliage.
5. microphylla.—a class easily distinguished by their peculiar foliage and straggling habit.
the third general head we divide again into five classes:
1. garden roses.—this includes all the present french, provence, hybrid provence, hybrid china, hybrid bourbon, white, and damask roses, many of which, under the old arrangement, differ more from others in their own class than from many in another class.
2. moss roses, all of which are easily distinguished.
3. brier roses, which will include the sweet-brier, hybrid sweet-brier, and austrian brier.
4. scotch roses.
5. climbing roses; which are again divided into all the distinctive subdivisions.
in describing colors, we have given those which prevail. it is well known that many roses are very variable in this respect, and that the same flower will frequently be white or yellow, crimson or blush, at different periods of its bloom. we have seen a plant produce several flowers totally unlike each other; one being dark crimson, and the other pale blush. we therefore describe the prevailing color, and the cultivator should not be disappointed if his rose, the first season, should not correspond[pg 30] with the description; neither should he be disappointed if a rose which we describe as very double should with him prove very single. transplanting will often temporarily change the character of roses, and they often refuse to develop themselves perfectly under our hot sun, or in a poor soil. a second season is thus often required to test them fairly. we have seen the fine rose, la reine, semi-double, and worthless at midsummer, while at other seasons, and perhaps in a different location, it is fully equal to its reputation. it is frequently the case, that roses imported from europe, under glowing descriptions, prove worthless the first season, but fully sustain their character the second. we mention these things here, in order that the amateur may be prepared for any temporary disappointment that may occur. in describing over two hundred choice varieties, we have endeavored to select those whose character is well established for superior and distinct qualities, and above all, for vigorous growth. any variety whose growth is uniformly weak has been at once rejected, notwithstanding its great beauty of flower. thus many fine roses, like gloire de santenay, are thrown aside. there are many equally good that have been necessarily omitted, and there are also new varieties we have recently received from europe, which may prove superior to many we have named.
from this list, the rose amateur may feel safe in selecting, without incurring the risk of obtaining inferior varieties.
roses that bloom during the whole season.
remontant roses.
the term remontant—signifying, literally, to grow again—we have chosen to designate this class of roses, there being no word in our own language equally expressive. they were formerly called damask and hybrid[pg 31]
[pg 32] perpetuals, but are distinguished from the true perpetual or everblooming roses by their peculiarity of distinct and separate periods of bloom. they bloom with the other roses in early summer, then cease for a while, then make a fresh season of bloom, and thus through the summer and autumn, differing entirely from the bourbon and bengal roses, which grow and bloom continually through the summer. in order, therefore, to avoid confusion, we have deemed it best to adopt the french term, remontant.
these roses have generally been obtained by hybridization between the hybrid china and damask, and the bourbon and china roses, uniting the luxuriant growth and hardy character of the former two with the ever-blooming qualities of the latter. they are generally large, double, very fragrant, and bloom, some of them, freely throughout the season. they are also perfectly hardy, and grow well in any climate without protection. these qualities render them very desirable, and they are fast driving out of cultivation the garden roses, which bloom but once, and during the rest of the season cumber the ground. there are, it is true, among the latter, some varieties, like madame plantier, chénédole, persian yellow, and others, that are not equaled by any varieties existing among the remontants. such, however, is the skill now exerted by rose growers, that this will not long be the case, and we may hope soon to have among the remontants, roses of every shade of color, with the snow-like whiteness of madame plantier, the golden richness of persian yellow, or the peculiar brilliancy of chénédole.
abel grand.—rosy blush, fragrant, large and full, fresh and glossy.
american beauty.—rose pink; very large and fragrant; very free in blooming, and exceedingly valuable for forcing; free bloomer in autumn.
alfred colomb.—not new, but little known at the time of the former list. large; brilliant crimson; fine[pg 33] form, and very fragrant. a seedling of the popular gen. jacqueminot, and one of the best.
anne de diesbach.—has been several years in cultivation and found to be desirable. large, full, fine shape; clear, bright carmine; fragrant, and very hardy.
annie wood.—clear red; large and full, excellent form; a good bloomer in autumn.
antoine mouton.—medium size, full; lively rose, tinged with lilac; very fragrant; plant vigorous.
auguste mie.—a seedling of the well-known la reine. a vigorous grower. its color is a light pink, not so dark as la reine, which it resembles in form.
baron de bonstettin.—red and dark crimson; large, full and of vigorous growth.
baroness rothschild (also madame de rothschild).—one of the largest roses; fine form; pink, shaded with rose; exceedingly hardy, and a free bloomer.
baronne prevost.—one of the very best of its class, blooming freely in autumn, and producing fragrant flowers of a bright rose color. it is also of luxuriant growth, and large, rich foliage.
beauty of waltham.—large, full, of fine form; light rosy crimson; free bloomer.
boieldieu.—very large and full; fine cherry red, of the style of baronne prevost; plant vigorous.
boule de neige.—pure white; moderate size, fine form, and free bloomer.
captain christy.—delicate flesh color, deeper in the center; large, full, and with fine foliage.
caroline de sansal.—a vigorous plant, with a large and full flower, the color of which is clear flesh, with blush edges. it is one of the best of its color.
charles lefebvre.—a strong grower, and one of the finest of its class. its color is a bright, changeable crimson, inclining to a purple shade in the center. its form is cupped and regular.
[pg 34]
comtesse de serenye.—flowers flesh color, inclining to salmon in the bud; large, full, and globular; of greatest beauty when grown under glass.
coquette des alpes.—white, tinged with rose; free bloomer; size, medium to large; a valuable sort.
elise boelle.—white, slightly tinged with rose, changing to pure white; medium size, fine form, and full.
eugene verdier.—large; silvery-pink, tinged with fawn color; bud very fine; dwarfish habit; seedling of victor verdier.
e. y. teas.—large, fine globular form; carmine-crimson; highly fragrant; excellent.
fisher holmes.—large and full; magnificent scarlet shaded with crimson; free grower and bloomer. it has been described as an improved gen. jacqueminot.
francois michelon.—deep rose, the reverse of the petals silvery; large, full, and of globular form; one of the best.
general jacqueminot.—a strong grower, and when in bud, one of the most beautiful of roses. its open flower, not being perfectly double, is surpassed by others. its color is a scarlet crimson, with a soft velvety sheen, and a few thousand of them in full bloom is a sight to be remembered. a basket of buds freshly cut in the morning is sure to be appreciated.
general washington.—one of the finest of its class. it is a good grower, very full bloomer, and a general favorite. its color is a bright red.
john hopper.—large, and finely shaped. its color is rosy crimson.
jules margottin.—one of the finest remontant roses. its growth is vigorous, its bloom is abundant, and its color is a clear pink crimson. it is particularly fine when in bud.
la france.—an invaluable rose for its hardiness, and its constant blooming qualities. its color is pale peach, with rosy center; its form is globular, full, and very large.
[pg 35]
la reine.—when our first edition was issued, this variety was unequalled. others have now surpassed it. it is, however, still valuable for its glossy rose color, and its large, full, semi-globular form.
louis van houtte.—has a large and double globular flower. its color is bright shaded rosy carmine.
louise carique.—one of the most valuable remontants. its color is a fine rosy carmine, its form is full, and it grows well and blooms abundantly through the summer. for general purposes, it has scarcely a superior.
magna charta.—bright pink, suffused with carmine; very large, full, of good form; habit erect; flowers produced in abundance.
mabel morrison.—a sport of baroness rothschild, and like it in nearly all respects, save color, which is a pure dead white, but in autumn flushed with delicate pink.
madame gabriel luizet.—pale pink, a very delicate and beautiful tint of color; large and full, cupped; very sweet.
madame victor verdier.—large, full, globular; carmine-rose; fragrant; free bloomer, and though not new, excellent.
marguerite de st. amande.—medium growth; beautiful in the bud; bright rose; free, especially in autumn. much used by those who force roses.
marie baumann.—large and full, excellent form; deep carmine; very fragrant; remarkably free, and classed by all among the best.
marquise de castellano.—beautiful bright rose; very large and full, form perfect; blooms freely; one of the best.
marquise de mortemarte.—a seedling of jules margottin; blush color, and well formed.
marshall p. wilder.—cherry carmine; large, semi-globular, full, and well formed. an american variety, with vigor, hardiness, and freedom in blooming.
[pg 36]
maurice bernardin.—a good grower, with full, fine form, and bright cherry crimson color. one of the best.
merveille de lyon.—pure white, sometimes washed with satin-rose; very large, full, and cupped. a very fine new white rose.
paul neyron.—very large, and perhaps the largest yet produced; deep rose; somewhat fragrant; very free bloomer.
pierre notting.—very large, fine globular form; very deep crimson, with a violet shade; highly fragrant; free and one of the most valued among the dark roses.
p?onia.—large to very large, full; red; fragrant; old, but valued for its fine foliage, and free flowering.
pride of waltham.—a delicate flesh color, richly shaded with bright rose, very clear and distinct.
prince camille de rohan.—large and full. its color is a velvety deep crimson maroon, clouded with red. one of the finest.
queen of queens.—pink, with blush edges; large and full, of perfect form; and a true perpetual flowering rose, every shoot being crowned with a flower bud.
rev. j. b. m. camm.—carmine rose; large, semi-globular; fragrant, and free blooming; superb.
paul’s single crimson and single white.—most charming roses, and worthy of attention.
thomas mills.—very bright rosy carmine; large and full.
victor verdier.—rosy carmine; a large, showy, free growing rose; good quality, and very effective.
white baroness.—a white sport from baroness rothschild; flowers large and full.
remontant scotch.
stanwell.—of scotch parentage, and has the peculiar foliage and habit of the scotch roses. its flowers are large, blush colored, and rather flat. it is an abundant[pg 37] and constant bloomer throughout the season, and its peculiar, delightful fragrance renders it very desirable.
remontant moss.
blanche moreau.—large, full, perfect form; pure white; buds and flowers produced in clusters and freely furnished with deep green moss.
eugene de savoie.—of vigorous growth, with a large and full flower. it is an abundant bloomer, and very fragrant. its color is a bright red.
madame edouard ory.—a good autumn bloomer. it is globular, finely formed, and of a rich rose color.
madame william paul.—very bright rose; large, full, and of finely cupped form; flowers freely. one of the best perpetual moss roses yet introduced.
mousseline.—white, lightly tinted with rose at opening, but changing to pure white; large and full; very free and a continuous bloomer.
perpetual white.—a vigorous grower, double, and blooms in clusters.
salet.—a good autumnal bloomer, and a good grower. its color is bright pink, changing to rose.
soupert and notting.—very large, full, and globular; bright rose color; while not so “mossy” as some others, its ever-blooming character and most exquisite fragrance give it a place in the first rank of its class.
bourbon roses.
this class does not possess the hardiness of the remontants, nor the free blooming properties of the bengals, teas, and noisettes, and therefore can never compete with the former for the north, nor with the latter for the south. in it, however, are varieties like hermosa, souvenir de malmaison, and others, which are scarcely surpassed in any class. the bourbon rose has also qualities which make many varieties favorites. these qualities are its greater hardiness than the tea rose, its very thick,[pg 38] leathery foliage, its luxuriant growth, its more constant bloom than the remontants, and its thick, velvety petals, of a consistency to endure the summer’s sun.
fig. 2.—bourbon rose.
it was introduced into france by jacques, head gardener of the duke of orleans, at neuilly, who received it in 1819 from bréon, director of the royal gardens in the isle of bourbon. the following account of its origin is given by bréon, and is also mentioned by rivers:
[pg 39]
“at the isle of bourbon, the inhabitants generally inclose their land with hedges made of two rows of roses; one row of the common china rose, the other of the red four seasons. m. perichon, a planter in the island, found in one of these hedges a young plant, differing very much from the others in its shoots and foliage. this he transplanted into his garden. it flowered the following year, and proved to be of a new race, and very different from the above two roses, which at that time were the only varieties known in the island.”
its resemblance to the bengal rose was, however, so strong, that it was soon considered a variety of that species. its characteristics are, however, so entirely different from the bengal, that we give it a separate place in our garden classification. to the french we owe nearly all the varieties of this class which have been produced from the original semi-double rose, or bourbon jacques, as it was called. of these varieties, the following are distinct, and possess many charming qualities that cannot fail to gratify the amateur.
acidalie.—one of the best light roses, being sometimes light blush, and at others white. its autumnal bloom is its best.
appoline.—a vigorous grower; its color is rose and pink.
dr. berthet.—brilliant cherry red; large, full, and good.
george peabody.—medium, full, well formed; purplish crimson; fragrant; a moderate grower, but one of the best of its class.
hermosa.—an old variety, but still one of the very best of this group. its form is cupped, very double and perfect, and no rose blooms more abundantly, either forced or in the open ground. its color is delicate rose.[pg 40] the plant is of medium growth, and well adapted for grouping or for planting in beds with mrs. bosanquet and agrippina.
marquise balbiano.—rose, tinged with silver; full, fine form.
perle d’angers.—very pale rose, almost white; large and full, imbricated.
queen of the bourbons.—a very beautiful and delicate rose-colored variety, slightly tinged with buff. it is cupped, very fragrant, large, and double, and its petals are arranged with a beautiful regularity.
queen of bedders.—medium, very full; rich crimson. few recent roses have been so highly praised as this; evidently a useful free-blooming sort.
souvenir de la malmaison.—altogether the most perfect and superb rose of this or any other class. it was originated by béluze, a frenchman. its flowers are cupped, and of very perfect form, very double, with thick, velvety petals; they are of the largest size, often four to five inches in diameter, and their color delicate blush, with a rich tint of cream. its large and very luxuriant foliage, compact habit, and flowers of exceeding beauty, render this one of the very finest roses known.
china.
agrippina.—though an old rose, this is still one of the best and most popular of its class. as a forcing rose, and for an abundance of bloom, it is largely cultivated by bouquet venders. it is cupped, beautifully formed, and of a rich, brilliant crimson, with a delicate white stripe in the center of each petal. it is one of the most hardy and desirable of the old china roses.
cels multiflora.—an abundant bloomer; its color is white, shaded with pink.
daily blush.—one of the oldest china roses, but one[pg 41] of the very best. there can be nothing more perfect than its half-expanded bud, of a light crimson, inclining to blush. it commences blooming among the earliest, and, if the old seed-vessels are picked off, will continue to bloom abundantly through the summer and autumn, even after severe frosts. it is one of the hardiest of the class.
daily white.—very similar to the preceding, in everything but the color of its flowers, which are pure white.
douglass.—crimson; medium size; double, fine in bud, and one of the best forcing sorts.
ducher.—white; medium size, fine form, full; free flowering; promising as a free and continuous white bedding rose.
little pet.—white; small and double; a pretty miniature rose, and exceedingly free in blooming.
madame bréon.—one of the very best. its flowers are very large and double, beautifully cupped, and of a brilliant rose color. few of the old china roses can surpass it.
mrs. bosanquet.—one of the most desirable of the old china roses, and there are few in any other class that are superior to it. its growth is luxuriant, and its superb cupped, wax-like flowers are of a delicate flesh-color, and are produced in the greatest abundance.
viridiflora.—green; curious.
noisette.
aimée vibert.—one of the most beautiful of the noisette or cluster-flowering roses. it blooms freely through the season, is tolerably hardy, and produces an abundance of small, snow-white flowers, in fine clusters.
beauté de l’europe.—deep yellow, reverse of petals coppery; large, full, and of perfect shape.
caroline de marniesse.—one of the hardiest. its color is white, with a tinge of pink in the center.
[pg 42]
celine forestier.—a vigorous growing rose. one of the hardiest, and with a large, full flower. its color is rich yellow.
elise boelle.—a delicate pink shading; moderate grower; much esteemed.
lamarque.—a well-known and superb variety, whose very vigorous growth adapts it well for a pillar, or even for a climber, as in rich soils and favorable locations it will make shoots of fifteen feet in a season. when budded on a strong stock, few roses can surpass its large cupped and nearly white flowers, weighing down the branches.
maréchal niel.—a vigorous growing rose, more free blooming than chromatella. its color is yellow, deepening at the center to a rich, golden yellow. it is, perhaps, the largest and most beautiful yellow rose known, and very fragrant.
ophire.—a medium-sized rose, of a very singular color, entirely different from any other rose known, being a bright salmon, almost saffron. it blooms in clusters, and its luxuriant habit would make it a good pillar rose.
solfaterre.—another superb rose, of very much the same character. its flowers are large and globular, inclining to flat, and their color bright lemon. when half opened, the buds are superb. like chromatella (and lamarque, the parent of both), its growth is very luxuriant. rivers mentions a plant which threw out a shoot from a single bud eighteen feet in one season, and the next season was covered with flower buds.
triomphe de rennes.—a fine rose, of large, full form, and canary color.
tea roses.
adam.—one of the finest tea-scented roses. its flowers are cupped, very double and large, and of perfect form.
[pg 43]
andre schwartz.—crimson-scarlet, with an occasional white streak on the inner petal; of tea fragrance, and very free flowering.
antoine mermet.—deep rosy-carmine; large, full, and cupped.
bon silene.—a very beautiful tea-scented rose, cupped, very double, and fragrant. its color is rose, shaded with crimson, and the plant is hardy and of luxuriant growth.
bougere.—a very large, superb rose, one of the very best of the tea-scented varieties. its form is cupped, and its color a rich, glossy, bronzed rose.
caroline.—a fine variety, with very double and perfect flowers, of a bright rose color.
capucine.—a very distinct sort, with beautiful saffron yellow buds. of delicate habit.
catharine mermet.—large, pointed buds, full, and of good form; rosy flesh color; fine fragrance; moderate grower. esteemed by those who force roses for the market, as one of the most valuable.
clara sylvain.—one of the best white roses. it grows very freely, and gives its globular, pure white, and fragrant flowers in the greatest abundance.
comtesse de frigueuse.—canary yellow; fine and striking, large and full; free.
cornélie koch.—white, sometimes faintly tinged with pale straw color. a grand rose, and a great favorite for forcing.
devoniensis.—a very beautiful rose, of immense size. like chromatella, it is sometimes a shy bloomer when young, but is well adapted for forcing. its form is cupped, and its color a fine creamy white, tinted with rose.
duc de magenta.—has a large and fine form. its color is rosy salmon, shading to pink.
etendard de jeanne d’arc.—creamy white, changing[pg 44] to pure white; very large and full, opening well; a seedling from gloire de dijon; very free.
general tartas.—this is of a dark rose color, and has a large and full form.
gloire de dijon.—one of the finest and hardiest of the whole group. it is a strong grower, and makes a good climber. its foliage is luxuriant, and its flowers are large and double; their color is pale salmon, buff, and yellow. this variety will always give satisfaction.
her majesty.—clear and bright satiny rose color; flowers very large and full.
homer.—a peculiar and beautiful rose when in bud. its color is rose, tipped with red, and with a salmon center.
isabella sprunt.—a new, yellow rose, of great merit. its remarkably free blooming qualities make it a valuable acquisition for forcing and for cut flowers.
jaune d’or.—a golden yellow rose, of good form.
julie mansais.—a large and superb tea-scented rose, globular, and very fragrant. its color is white, with lemon.
madame bravy.—finely formed, and of a creamy white color.
madame chedayne guénoisseau.—canary yellow; very beautiful in bud; large, full, of fine form, and very free.
madame cusin.—purplish rose, center slightly tinted with yellowish white; medium size; full and distinct.
madame de tartas.—large, and free blooming; of a bright rose color.
madame falcot.—buff yellow, something deeper than safrano, and more double in form. one of the best.
mademoiselle cécile berthod.—large, full, fine form; bright sulphur yellow; moderate.
marie berton.—(climbing.) very large; straw color,[pg 45] rather fragrant; vigorous, with fine foliage; regarded as the most free bloomer of all the seedlings of gloire de dijon.
marie guillot.—large, beautiful in bud, nearly perfect in form; white, with a faint tinge of yellow; free, and one of the best of the newer light-colored varieties.
marie van houtte.—excellent form; the pale-yellow petals, often suffused with rose; free, and highly esteemed, especially for cultivation in the open air.
may paul.—red, shaded and veined with lilac; large and full.
niphetos.—color almost white. when grown under glass, it is one of the most popular and beautiful roses.
papa gontier.—a new red rose, of great value; fragrant; free blooming, and of vigorous growth.
perle de lyon.—large, very double, and fragrant; deep yellow, with a tinge of saffron at center; excellent fragrance; very vigorous grower, and is much used to train up the pillars of green-houses, where it flowers freely; mildews in the open air.
perle des jardins.—large to very large, excellent form, with stiff stem; deep canary yellow; exquisite tea-fragrance; a free grower and bloomer; the foliage is very dark and glaucous, and the five to seven leaflets are strongly serrated. this variety, both in this country and in europe, proves to be a formidable rival to maréchal neil. it is largely forced for the new york market, and it is also excellent in the open ground.
pierre guillot.—(hybrid.)—large, erect, well formed; bright red; fragrant; moderate to vigorous; free bloomer.
puritan.—a new white rose of great beauty; very large flower; blooming freely; good grower, and free bloomer; fragrant.
reine marie henriette.—(climber.)—large, good[pg 46] form, double; cerise red; rather fragrant; very vigorous; this is also a cross from gen. jacqueminot.
rubens.—color rose and white, with yellow center; form large and double.
safrano.—this is scarcely excelled by any rose. its half-opened bud is very beautiful, and of a rich, deep fawn color. when open, its form is poor, and its color a much lighter fawn. these fawn-colored roses have peculiar charms for us; and of them all, there are none more beautiful or richer than safrano.
sombreuil.—a strong grower, with flowers of a pale straw color.
souvenir d’un ami.—the queen of the tea-scented roses, and will rank the very first among them. its habit is good, it blooms freely, and its large and beautifully imbricated flowers, when open, much resemble in form those of souvenir de malmaison. its color is a delicate salmon, shaded with rose, and its general character highly recommends it as first-rate in every respect. hibberd claims to have produced flowers from this variety eleven to twelve inches in circumference when fully expanded.
sunset.—a sport from perle des jardins, bearing flowers similar to that variety in form and substance but of a deep apricot color; beautiful in bud, and a fine forcing variety.
the bride.—a very fine white tea rose; a sport from catherine mermet. the flowers are large, full, and of great substance, produced in extraordinary profusion and carried on long stalks well above the foliage.
triomphe de guillot fils.—a white rose, clouded with flesh color, and shaded with yellowish salmon.
vallée de chamouny.—coppery rose color; medium size.
vicomtesse de cazes.—a fine yellow, and free blooming rose.
fig. 3.—maréchal niel.
w. f. bennett.—crimson; large and double; very fragrant. a most valuable variety for forcing for winter blooming.
waltham climbers, nos. 1, 2 and 3.—very fine new summer and autumn-flowering climbing roses of different shades of crimson. no. 1 being the brightest, and no. 3 the darkest. no. 2 is one of the sweetest roses in existence, and no. 3 is a fine show rose.
in the preceding list, we have given some of the best varieties of the tea rose, and trust the amateur will find no difficulty in making a selection. many are pillar roses; and these, so trained, would be beautiful objects on a lawn, either singly, or in groups from three to a dozen. where the height of the pillars can be gently graduated to the highest in the center, the effect will be very fine. many of the luxuriant growing varieties can be trained upon a common pale fence, and will cover it with flowers and foliage the whole season. straw can be easily thatched over to protect them from the severity of winter, or bass mats would be still better.
the polyantha roses.
a distinct species of rose (rosa polyantha) was introduced from japan several years ago. this is distinguished by having numerous very small flowers, borne in panicled clusters. in the hands of the french cultivators, it has produced what promises to be a distinct and popular class, of which the following are regarded as the best. they are probably hybrids, as they remontant, while the original species blooms but once. the english often call them “daisy roses.”
anne marie de montravel.—small, an inch and a half in diameter, very double; pure white; lasts a long while in perfection; moderately fragrant. jean sisley writes: “each truss will make in itself a splendid bouquet.” dwarf, but vigorous.
[pg 49]
m’lle. cécile brünner.—very small, full; fine salmon-pink; highly fragrant; moderate or dwarf; flowers freely. obtained by crossing with a tea.
mignonette.—very small, double; in clusters of thirty or forty; rose-color, changing to blush.
paquerette.—fine form, full, only an inch in diameter; pure white; growth moderate.
perle d’or.—nankeen yellow, with orange centres; small and full, very beautiful; flowers very numerous and of good shape.
princesse wilhelmine des pays bas.—pure white, imbricated, very sweet.
the ramanas rose (rosa rugosa).
since the last edition was published this rose has been introduced into cultivation and has become deservedly popular. the plant is very vigorous, growing large clumps five or six feet in height with exceedingly thorny stems. the foliage is remarkably robust, very dark-green, strongly-veined, and of great substance; it is rarely attacked by insects. the rose-colored, or white single flowers, about three inches across, are borne in large clusters, and have a most delightful fragrance. they continue in bloom for a long time, and are succeeded by large fruits (heps) of a bright-red color, which make the bush very showy in autumn. there are in cultivation a white and a rose-colored variety. a double variety has been introduced, but it is only partially double, and not preferable to the single. these are most valuable roses for the shrubbery, suckering somewhat, but not to an annoying extent.
this species was sent to this country from japan by mr. thomas hogg, about fifteen years ago; it was also introduced into europe by others. it has been described in french and other journals as rosa regeliana and r.[pg 50] fortunei, but the much older name r. rugosa must supersede these. the adoption of the japanese “ramanas” will avoid any confusion as to botanical names. whether a species so very distinct as this will yield itself to the efforts of the hybridizer remains to be seen, but it offers a most tempting subject. could the vigorous, almost leathery foliage, thorough hardiness and powerful fragrance of this be combined with the handsome form and varied tints of roses of the popular classes, it would be a great horticultural achievement. the european journals mention that a new variety of this species was exhibited at lyons this year, but no description is given. it is however interesting to know that the skilled rose growers of the south of france have taken it in hand.
the japanese have long held the ramanas rose in high favor. it is recorded that as early as the year 1100, of our era, the court-ladies prepared a favorite perfume from its petals; but it is also stated that they had the bad taste to add to it both camphor and musk.
macartney roses.
the macartney rose was brought from china to england by lord macartney, in 1793. its habit is luxuriant, and its foliage is more beautiful than that of any other rose, its leaves being thick, and of a rich, glossy green. it commences blooming about midsummer, and its flowers, with a fragrance like the perfume of an apricot, succeed each other without interruption till the first frosts, while the leaves remain till the very latest. although as hardy as the hardiest of the china roses, it would be better in this latitude to give it the same protection as recommended for the china. it is one of the most desirable roses for beds or borders. when covering the whole ground, and kept well pegged down, its rich, glossy foliage, gemmed with fragrant flowers, produces a beautiful[pg 51] effect. the varieties of this rose are very few, but the best two are the following:
alba odorata.—a vigorous growing rose, with very rich and beautiful foliage. its fragrant flowers are cream-colored, and, when in bud, are very beautiful. it has stood the last three winters uninjured in our grounds, without protection, and is a very beautiful and desirable variety. it is classed by rivers as a microphylla, but it so little resembles that rose, and is so decidedly macartney in its character, that we place it with the latter.
maria leonida.—a very beautiful, but not entirely double variety, as its stamens can sometimes be seen, which, however, give a graceful appearance. its flowers are finely cupped, and pure white, with a tinge of blush at the base of the petals.
microphylla roses.
this species, originally from the himalayan mountains, was first brought to europe in 1823. its foliage is small and singular, and its growth is very robust. its flowers bloom from midsummer till frost, and have a striking appearance; they are very double, with a calyx of which the small, bristling sepals give the opening bud the appearance of a small chestnut. the plant is hardy, and has endured the winter in our grounds for the past twenty years without protection, losing only a portion of the tops of its shoots. of the several varieties, one of the best is
rubra, which has very double and cupped flowers, of a blush and often rose color, with a deep red centre.
musk roses.
the musk rose grows naturally in persia and other eastern countries, where it attains the height of a small tree, and is doubtless the rose which has been celebrated[pg 52] by eastern poets. it is also found in india, where it is probably the species used for making attar. in this latitude it is quite hardy, and we have a plant of the old white musk in our grounds, that has braved the severity of more than twenty winters. it has made in one season shoots more than six feet long, and in our southern states, more than double the growth would probably be obtained. the blossoms appear in clusters, and commencing later than any other rose, continue abundant throughout the season. the old white cluster has been widely distributed throughout the country, and is deservedly a favorite. the best two varieties, however, are the following:
eponine.—a cupped and very double variety, with the peculiar musk fragrance. it is pure white, and a very pretty rose.
princess of nassau.—a luxuriant growing and very fragrant variety, and would make a good pillar rose. it blooms in large clusters of cupped flowers, changing from yellow to cream color as they open.
roses that bloom only once in the season.
garden roses.
for want of a better, we use this term to designate all those roses that bloom only once in the season, and that strongly resemble each other in habit and flower. it includes those classes called, by rose-growers, french, provence, hybrid provence, hybrid china, hybrid bourbon, white and damask roses.
fig. 4.—garden rose.
on a preceding page, we have given our opinion respecting classification, but we wish it to be fully understood, that we do not deny the existence of clearly distinctive characters in the true french, provence, damask, etc., but simply assert that the lines of difference between[pg 53] these so run into each other, and are so blended together, that it is almost impossible to know where to place a new rose, which may partake of the qualities of all. we have[pg 54] mentioned rivers as the most skillful and correct of rose-growers; and yet, in classing lady fitzgerald and madame hardy among the damasks, he says that neither of them are pure damask; and the duke of cambridge, which at first he thought a hybrid china, he now places as a damask; other similar instances are frequent. many roses, moreover, are classed as hybrids which are not truly such. we are quite inclined to think that a large number of the varieties supposed to have been produced by hybridizing are nothing more than the natural produce, and that the pollen, in many cases, has not impregnated the pistil to which it was applied. with this uncertainty, therefore, as evinced by rivers in his work, and with doubts of the hybridity of supposed hybrids, we deem it better to class them all together; and, for the benefit of those who may prefer the old classification, to attach to each name the class by which it has been hitherto known.
we write principally for the amateur, and we think he will find it less embarrassing to make a selection from this classification than from the old one.
a great number of garden roses exist, but we describe here only a few distinct varieties, with colors which are seldom found among the remontants.
all the others have either their equals or their superiors among the remontants, and being certain to bloom only once in the season, are scarcely worthy of cultivation, compared with the remontants.
chénédole, h. c.—one of the most splendid varieties, and is truly beautiful. its foliage and habit are very good, and its very luxuriant growth makes it a good pillar rose. its flower is cupped, large, double, and fragrant, and its color is a rich, glowing crimson, of almost dazzling brilliancy. it is altogether the most desirable rose of this class.
charles lawson, h. b.—this has handsome foliage,[pg 55] and vigorous habit of growth, with large, symmetrical, and bright rose-colored flowers.
coupe d’hébé, h. b.—a gem of the family. it is large, double, symmetrical, and finely cupped. its color a delicate, wax-like, rosy pink. its growth is luxuriant, and adapted for pillars.
emerance, h. p.—a beautiful cupped rose, of a color unusual in this class, being of a pale lemon or straw color. its form is very regular, and the habit of the plant good.
george the fourth, h. c.—an old rose, produced by t. rivers, but is still one of the most desirable of this class. its flowers are of a dark crimson, and its young shoots have a purple tinge. its very luxuriant habit makes it suitable for a pillar.
julie d’etranges, f.—this has a large cupped flower, of a delicate rose color.
madame hardy, f.—a vigorous habit, and finely shaped flower. its color is pure white, sometimes with a green centre.
madame plantier, h. c.—a cupped and double pure white rose. it is a luxuriant grower, a most abundant bloomer, and one of the very best of the white summer roses. its foliage is so marked in its richness and beauty that any one can readily distinguish it by that alone. were it remontant, it would possess all the requisites of a perfect white rose.
obscurité, f.—one of the darkest roses known.
?illet parfait, f.—a beautiful striped rose, resembling a carnation. its form is compact, and its color a very light blush, nearly white, beautifully and distinctly striped with rose and bright crimson.
tricolor de flandre, f.—a very double, distinct, and compact flower. its color is lilac, striped with red and crimson.
[pg 56]
moss roses.
the moss rose was introduced into england from holland in the sixteenth century, and is first mentioned by miller, in 1727, by whom it was supposed to be a sport of the provence rose, which opinion has been confirmed by modern botanists. its peculiarities are the delicate prickles which crowd its stem, and the beautiful mossy covering of its calyx. this mossy appearance has been deemed by some a mere lusus natur?, and by others the work of an insect similar to that which produces the bédéguar, or rose-gall. the former opinion, however, prevails; and this freak of nature cultivators have succeeded in fixing and perpetuating in a great number of varieties. the first moss rose known in france was said to have been introduced there by madame de genlis, who brought it with her on her return from england. in 1810, scarcely more than one variety was known, and now there exist more than a hundred. of these, the best and most distinct are the following:
alice leroy.—light rosy-pink, free blooming, and of good habit.
baronne de wassenaer.—this has a good form, bright red color, and flowers in clusters.
captain ingram.—flowers of a dark, velvety purple.
comtesse de murinais.—a vigorous habit. its color is pale flesh, changing to pure white, and it is one of the best of the white mosses.
common.—this is the old rose-colored moss, which has been generally cultivated in gardens. it grows well, blooms freely, is well covered with moss, and is one of the best of the old varieties.
cristata.—a very singular and beautiful variety, said to have been discovered in the crevice of a wall at friburg, in switzerland. rivers classes it with the provence[pg 57] roses, and when open, it is merely a variety of that rose; but when in bud, it is more properly a moss, although its calyx is not covered with a fine moss, but has more of a crested appearance. in a rich soil this fringe-like crest most beautifully clasps and surmounts the bud, and gives the rich clusters a truly elegant appearance. its form is globular, and its color rose. it is one of the few that do not grow well on their own roots, but require to be budded on some strong-growing stock.
etna.—brilliant crimson, tinted with purple.
eugene verdier.—light red, deeper in the center, large, full, and of fine form.
gloire des mousseuses.—a large and handsome flower, with a clear, pale rose color.
john cranston.—crimson and purple shaded, of medium size, full.
louis gimard.—bright red, large and full, vigorous.
little gem.—a miniature moss rose, forming compact bushes densely covered with small double crimson flowers, beautifully mossed. it is of charming effect in the garden and most valuable for bouquets or vases.
laneii.—a vigorous grower, and has large and thrifty foliage. the buds are large and well mossed, and it is beautiful both in bud and expanded. its color is bright rose.
luxembourg.—like the last, of vigorous growth. its flowers are a purplish crimson.
madame de rochelambert.—this has large and full flowers, of an amaranth color.
madame edouard ory.—this was described among the remontant mosses.
nuits de young.—plant of a dwarf habit. its flowers are small, with a deep, velvety purple color.
princesse adelaide.—a remarkably vigorous-growing[pg 58] variety, with large and handsome foliage, and would make a good pillar rose. its regularly formed flowers, of a bright pink or rose, are produced in clusters, and open well. it does not bear close pruning. this is one of the most desirable of its class, and owes its origin to laffay.
princess royal.—a very robust rose, almost equal to the preceding in vigor. its young leaves and branches have a red tinge, and its cupped flowers are of a deep crimson purple, marbled and spotted with red. although not quite double when fully open, they are very beautiful when in bud. a moss rose, however double, is peculiar only in bud, for, when fully expanded, the mossy calyx must inevitably be hidden.
perpetual white.—this was described among the remontant mosses, as also were
reine blanche.—pure white, large and full.
salet.
white bath.—paper-white, beautiful, large and full, one of the best.
like all other roses, and even in a greater degree, the moss rose requires a light and very rich soil, with a dry bottom. many of them make very beautiful beds and patches, when planted in rich soil, and kept well pegged down. a good supply of stable manure should be given them in the autumn, to be washed down about their roots by the winter rains. they do not generally require or bear so much pruning as other roses, but their bloom may sometimes be prolonged by shortening part of the shoots close, and only the tips of the remainder. when properly cultivated, few objects can be more beautiful than these roses, either singly or in masses. without making so brilliant a show as some other classes, the moss which envelops them imparts a touch of graceful beauty belonging to no other flower.
[pg 59]
scotch roses.
these roses are all derived from a dwarf rose found growing wild in scotland and in the north of england. they are distinguished by their small leaves, abundant bloom, and delicate habit. being perfectly hardy, they are desirable for beds or borders, in which, with proper arrangement of colors, they show beautifully, sometimes two weeks before other roses open, producing flowers all along the stem. rose growers describe, in their catalogues, two or three hundred varieties, but of them all, scarcely forty or fifty are distinct; of these the best three are the following:
countess of glasgow.—a very pretty and brilliant dark rose, blooming abundantly.
queen of may.—a fine and distinct variety, of a bright pink color.
william the fourth.—an excellent variety, of luxuriant growth. its flowers are pure white, and among the largest of the class.
brier roses.
these roses are distinguished by their small, rough foliage and brier habit. they include the sweet-brier, the hybrid sweet-brier, and the austrian brier. the sweet-brier is found in various parts of this country and in europe, and is distinguished by the peculiar delightful fragrance of its leaves. its simple little flower, found among the hedges, has been long a favorite, and, under the name of eglantine, has been often the theme of poets.
the hybrid sweet-brier is allied to the preceding, but has larger foliage, and is of more robust growth. many roses have been placed in this class and among the sweet-briers that have none of the peculiar scent of the sweet-briers; and hence, again, the necessity of classing together[pg 60] these and the austrian briers, respecting which there is much confusion. the true austrian rose is a native of the south of europe, and is a clearly distinct rose; but some have been called austrian which have scarcely any of the characters of the original rose. all three, however, are briers, that is, they produce their flowers on short joints all along the stem, and have the peculiar rough, briery leaves. we therefore place them all together, attaching as before the name of the old class. the best are the following:
celestial, s. b.—a small cupped rose, very double and fragrant, of a pale flesh-color and very pretty.
copper austrian, a. b.—a very singular looking rose, blooming well in this climate. the inside of the flower is of a coppery-red, and the outside inclining to pale yellow or sulphur. it is desirable for its peculiar color.
double margined hip, h. s. b.—of luxuriant growth, almost adapted for a pillar. its form is cupped, and its color creamy-white, shaded with pink.
double yellow provence is the best of the two varieties which compose the species called sulphurea. we have never seen its flowers, and english writers all speak of the great difficulty of making it bloom. rivers recommends to bud it on strong stocks, and says that it blooms most profusely in the warm, dry climate of florence and genoa. the plant grows with luxuriance and produces plenty of flower-buds, which, with proper culture, would probably open in our warm climate, which is very similar to that of florence and genoa. its small foliage and slender, thorny wood, place it fairly among the briers. its flower is so fine that it is well worth the trouble of repeated experiment to obtain a good bloom. it has long been admired and exercised the skill of rose growers, as is proved by the following passages from some old works, which give instructions for proper culture:
[pg 61]
“whereas all other roses are best natural, this is best inoculated upon another stock. others thrive and bear best in the sun; this, in the shade: therefore the best way that i know to cause this rose to bring forth fair and kindly flowers, is performed after this manner. first in the stock of a francfort rose, near the ground, put in the bud of the single yellow rose, which will quickly shoot to a good length; then, half a yard higher than the place where the same was budded, put into it a bud of the double yellow rose, which growing, the suckers must be kept from the root, and all the buds rubbed off, except those of the kind desired, which, being grown big enough to bear (which will be in two years), it must in winter be pruned very near, cutting off all the small shoots, and only leaving the biggest, cutting off the tops of them also, as far as they are small. then in the spring, when the buds for leaves come forth, rub off the smallest of them, leaving only some few of the biggest, which, by reason of the strength of the stock, affordeth more nourishment than any other, and the agreeable nature of the single yellow rose, from whence it is immediately nourished, the shoots will be strong and able to bear out the flowers, if they be not too many, which may be prevented by nipping off the smallest buds for flowers. the tree should stand something shadowed, and not too much in the heat of the sun, and in a standard by itself, rather than under a wall.” that which follows is from a book called systema horticultur?, dated 1688:—“there is no flower-bearing tree that yields blossom so beautiful as the rose, whereof the yellow provence rose is the most beautiful where it brings forth fair and kindly flowers, which hath been obtained by budding a single yellow rose on the stock of a flourishing francfort rose near the ground: when that single yellow is well grown, in that branch inoculate your double yellow rose; then cut off all suckers and shoots from the first and second, leaving only your last,[pg 62] which must be pruned very near, leaving but few buds, which will have the more nourishment, and yield the fairer and more entire blossoms. this tree, or a layer from a rose of the same kind, delights most, and blows fairest, in a cold, moist, and shady place, and not against a hot wall.”
harrisonii.—a fine yellow brier of american origin, and is perhaps the best hardy yellow rose for general cultivation.
persian yellow, a. b.—this is the deepest yellow rose known, and is a highly improved edition of the harrison. its flowers are more double, and of a deeper yellow than that rose. it grows freely, blooms abundantly, and its small double flowers possess a richness of color unequalled by any other rose. no garden should be without it. it should be added, however, that it is exceedingly difficult to strike from cuttings, and is one of those few varieties for which budding upon another stock is preferable.
rose angle, s. b.—an excellent variety, with very fragrant foliage, and large double flowers of a bright rose color. it is one of the best of the true eglantines.
like the moss roses, the briers will not bear much pruning, and require merely the tips of the shoots to be cut off.
ayrshire roses.
this class is very valuable for covering unsightly places, old buildings, and decayed trees. they bloom some two weeks earlier than other roses, and will grow in soil where others would scarcely vegetate. hence they are valuable for covering naked sand-banks, or bare spots of earth, and their roots would be of material assistance in keeping up the soil of loose banks. rivers gives an extract from the dundee courier, showing the effect produced by some of these roses.
[pg 63]
“some years ago, a sand pit at ellangowan was filled up with rubbish found in digging a well. over this a piece of rock was formed for the growth of plants which prefer such situations, and among them were planted some half dozen plants of the double ayrshire rose, raised in this neighborhood about ten years ago. these roses now most completely cover the whole ground, a space of thirty feet by twenty. at present they are in full bloom, showing probably not less than ten thousand roses in this small space.”
the ayrshire roses are also valuable for weeping trees; when budded on a stock some ten or twelve feet high, the branches quickly reach the ground, and protecting the stem from the sun by their close foliage, present a weeping tree of great beauty, loaded with flowers.
dundee rambler.—one of the best and most double of the ayrshire roses. its color is white, often edged with pink, and blooming in large clusters. it is a very desirable variety.
double blush ayrshire.—a most vigorous climber, with a pretty flower, and will grow in the poorest soil.
banksian roses.
roses of this class have a very small flower closely resembling that of the double spir?a prunifolia, and blooming in clusters of about the same size. in this climate they require the protection of a green-house, and are very striking for the great profusion of their corymbs of pure white or deep yellow flowers. we recollect seeing, at the botanic garden at naples, a very large plant of the banksian rose, the main stem being six inches in diameter, and branching off into a dozen others, fifty feet or more long. in the southern states they would grow well in the open air, and being most vigorous climbers, would soon cover a house or trellis, and, with their small[pg 64] but most abundant flowers interspersed among the smooth glossy-green foliage, would form an object of great beauty.
double white.—introduced into england from china in 1807, and named in honor of lady banks. it is a beautiful little rose about half an inch in diameter, blooming abundantly in small and pure white clusters with a slight perfume like that of the violet.
double yellow.—introduced in 1827. it has bright buff-yellow flowers; these are produced in great abundance, and give a pleasant perfume before the dew is off early in the morning, or just at evening.
fortuniana.—introduced by fortune in 1850. it has white fragrant flowers of much larger size than the preceding varieties. its want of the petite character of the others makes it less beautiful and striking.
jaune serin.—a luxuriant growing variety, with yellow flowers of larger size than those of the old yellow banksia.
the banksian roses do not bear much pruning. it should be done immediately after the bloom is over, and then only the heavier branches cut out, leaving those which are full flower-bearing twigs, which should not be shortened. if the branches are all shortened, the plants will produce an abundance of strong, new wood, but no flowers.
boursault roses.
this class is marked by its long, flexible, reddish shoots, which grow rapidly, and are perfectly hardy. their smooth bark renders them desirable for stocks to bud upon, and a fine rose of this class, covering a trellis and budded with roses of various colors, would present a beautiful appearance. these, also, are impatient of much pruning.
[pg 65]
amadis.—one of the best, with its pendulous clusters of large purplish-crimson flowers.
blush.—this has large, double, blush flowers.
evergreen roses.
the original of this class is the rosa sempervirens, a wild rose of italy. they are very beautiful and desirable, and although not entirely evergreen in this climate, retain their foliage very late in the season. they are very easy of cultivation, and most luxuriant climbers over naked trees, old houses, fences, and walls, or along the surface of the ground, which they will soon cover to the exclusion of all weeds, and present a large mass of rich, glossy foliage, and abundant bloom. when thus planted, the large weeds should be pulled up until the plant fairly covers the ground, when no more attention will be needed. they are well adapted for training up columns, and we know of few things more beautiful than a temple formed of numerous columns, with evergreen roses growing luxuriantly upon them and festooned gracefully between. nothing, indeed, can be more gracefully beautiful than festoons, wherever they can be made. they constitute the chief beauty of the vine-clad fields of italy, and there would be no less beauty in occasional festooning of roses trained between pillars or the trees of a lawn. they are also very beautiful when budded on high standards, their dark-green glossy foliage weeping to the ground, and forming a fine dome or pyramid of leaf and bloom. when pruned in the winter, the branches may be thinned out, but not shortened; for if pruned close, they will make a luxuriant growth the next season, but will produce no flowers.
félicité perpetuelle.—a most beautiful rose, and one of the very best of the class; when properly cultivated,[pg 66] it produces an abundance of very double creamy-white flowers, shaped like a double ranunculus.
melanie de montjoie.—a variety of much beauty. its abundant and glossy dark-green foliage contrasts beautifully with its large, pure white flowers.
myrianthes.—one of the best of this class. its flowers are perfectly shaped, and of a very delicate rose color.
triomphe de bollwiller.—a very fine hybrid between the evergreen and tea roses. it is rather tender in this climate, but valuable for its tendency to bloom in the autumn. its flowers are very large, double, fragrant, and globular, and their color is a blush or creamy white. at the south, where it would not be killed by the cold weather, this would be one of the most desirable climbing roses.
hybrid climbing roses.
we include here some which do not belong to any of the distinct classes.
indica major.—a hybrid climbing rose, of most luxuriant growth and nearly evergreen foliage. its flowers are very large, double, and of a delicate rose color. the very rapid growth of this rose makes it excellent for covering old buildings. we recollect being shown, at the bartram garden of philadelphia, a fine old plant which had covered the whole side of the house, and presented a beautiful appearance. buist states it to be this variety.
madame d’arblay is a truly gigantic hybrid climber, perfectly hardy, and with strong, bourbon-like foliage. it blooms in large clusters of pure white flowers, and is a truly excellent variety.
menoux.—this variety has crimson flowers, a color which is not common among climbing roses.
sir john sebright.—a hybrid musk rose, grown by[pg 67] rivers. its flowers are produced in large clusters, are very fragrant, and their color is a bright crimson-scarlet.
the garland.—a most vigorous hybrid climber, blooming in immense clusters of fragrant, creamy-white flowers, changing to blush after expansion. when in full bloom, the contrast of the large white clusters with the bright green foliage is very beautiful.
multiflora roses.
the parent of this class is a native of china and japan. they are unfortunately somewhat tender in this climate. we have known them to endure safely several winters when unprotected, but they are unreliable in this respect. one of the best is
grevillei or seven sisters.—it has a remarkably vigorous growth, and blooms with unusual profusion. a large plant will not unfrequently show more than a thousand flowers, all blooming in clusters and of several shades of color. this variety is impatient of much pruning.
de la grifferaie.—this bears the knife better than the preceding, and may be grown as a bush with proper pruning. it is hardier than others of the class, and bears a profusion of blush and rose-colored flowers.
laure davoust.—one of the most beautiful of the multiflora roses, and of most luxuriant growth. it has larger flowers and handsomer foliage than any of the other multiflora roses, and blooms in immense clusters of perfect flowers, changing from white to pink. for covering houses or trellises it is very desirable.
russelliana.—this is very vigorous, and yet bears pruning so well that it may be grown as a bush. its clusters are large, and the flowers change as they open from dark to light red lilac, giving it a singular appearance.
[pg 68]
the prairie rose.
the double varieties of the original michigan rose, or rosa rubifolia, have nearly all been produced by samuel feast, of baltimore, while a few new varieties owe their origin to joshua pierce, of washington. they are remarkable for their perfectly hardy nature, braving equally well the frosts of canada or the heat of louisiana. the leaves are large, rather rough, and of a rich dark-green. they grow with unexampled rapidity, exceeding in this respect any of the climbing roses, and would cover old buildings or naked ground in a very short space of time. they bloom after the other summer roses are mostly gone, and produce their flowers abundantly in large clusters of different shades, from the shaded white of baltimore belle to the rich deep rose of
queen of the prairies.—this is the best, and of the most luxuriant growth. its large flowers are of a peculiar cupped form, almost globular, when in bud, and altogether of very perfect shape. they are of a deep rose color, with a white stripe in the centre of each petal. this rose is truly superb, and, for our cold winters and hot sun, an unequalled climber. it would be a fine rose to cover a trellis or building, and then bud into its branches a dozen different remontant or bourbon roses of various colors. the tout ensemble would be superb.
baltimore belle.—this variety is thought by some to have a strain of noisette sap in it from the delicacy and beauty of its flower and its tendency to bloom in the autumn. it produces abundant clusters of white flowers shaded with a slight cloud of pink. it is one of the finest climbing roses known.
gem of the prairie. (burgess’.)—a hybrid between the queen of the prairies and the remontant, madame laffay. it is said to combine the vigorous growth of the one with the rich color and delicate fragrance of the[pg 69] other. we do not, however, think that it equals its early promise.
jane.—very double, of a deep rosy lilac.
mrs. hovey.—this has large white flowers, and all the vigor of its class.
pride of washington.—a rosy lilac, and double.
there are several other varieties in this class, but the preceding are the best.