CONTENTS

ROSES:

OR
A M O N O G R A P H
OF
T H E G E N U S R O S A:
CONTAINING
COLOURED FIGURES
OF
ALL THE KNOWN SPECIES AND BEAUTIFUL VARIETIES
DRAWN, ENGRAVED, DESCRIBED, AND COLOURED,
from the Living Plants.

By H. C. A N D R E W S,
AUTHOR OF
THE BOTANIST’S REPOSITORY, COLOURED ENGRAVINGS OF HEATHS, ETC.

Hail, lovely Rose, of flowers the blushing queen!
Burst, burst, ye numerous Nondescripts, with spleen!
Ye wondrous Nothings, from a foreign soil
Brought with such labour, care, and anxious toil,—
Say, can your utmost charms, combined, disclose
Beauty and fragrance equal to the Rose?

London:
printed by R. TAYLOR and Co., 38, shoe lane;
AND
PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR, 5, KNIGHTSBRIDGE.

INTRODUCTION.

THE Rose, for matchless beauty famed, (although by botanists so disregarded) has been the Painter’s study and the Poet’s theme, for ages past, and will no doubt for ages yet to come; long after many a curious Nondescript shall in a dusty hortus siccus sleep, unnoticed and unknown.

The intention of the author in the delineation of this unrivalled tribe, is to arrange as accurately as possible the numerous beautiful varieties, with their species—an arduous task, considering the neglect they have experienced, and the wild and indiscriminate manner in which they have been profusely mixed. This, aided by an heterogeneous mode of culture, has produced many varieties, the lineal descent of which is very difficult to ascertain.

The extent of the genus has been most vaguely estimated; by some enumerated at two hundred and forty; an estimate that must certainly include many very slight varieties, which, if allowed, might swell the genus to ten times its real extent. But we think a rational computation would confine them within a hundred, including every distinct variety. The author’s intention is to figure only those to which a separate character can be affixed, regarding a superfluous repetition, even of beauty, inadmissible. As the merits of the present undertaking may easily be appreciated by a free access to all its beautiful originals, the author hopes a candid allowance will be made, upon a comparison with the living plant, when it is considered that the most elaborate efforts of art have never yet been able to do justice to its superior beauty.

ROSA muscosa, Provincialis.
Moss Province Rose.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa, germinibus ovatis; calycibus et pedunculis muscosis; petiolis ramulisque hispidis et glanduloso-viscosis; spinis ramorum numerosis, rectis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose, with egg-shaped seed-buds; empalements and peduncles mossy; petioles and younger branches hispid, and glandulously viscous; spines of the branches numerous, and straight.

The origin of this beautiful Rose, has ever been considered as enveloped in obscurity; but we have no hesitation in assigning it to the Province, to which it assimilates in every particular,—with the addition of a rich luxuriant moss, that gives it a decided superiority, and at the same time a specific distinction. In proof of our opinion, we have recently seen both the Moss and Province Rose at one time, in high perfection, on the same plant; and to remove all doubt, the plant was dug up, to show that it was but one individual root. We have since seen three more plants of the same description. Two of them had been propagated by layers from the mossy shoots. The major part of them returned to their origin, the Province. In the examination of a number of Moss Roses, we have perceived a considerable difference in the quantity of moss attached to them,—in many instances so slight, as evidently to proclaim their original. There can be little if any doubt, that this beautiful variety is the spontaneous effusion of Nature in this country, of which we shall ever regard it as indigenous, since we have never heard of any importations of this species, but of frequent exportations. The most luxuriant specimens of this plant are the dwarf growth in the open ground, from which our figure was taken.

ROSA muscosa, alba.
White Moss Rose.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa, germinibus ovatis; calycibus, pedunculis, et petiolis glanduloso-viscosis; foliolis ovatis, subtus villosis, ad margines glandulis viscosis; spinis ramorum numerosis, rectis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose, with egg-shaped seed-buds; empalement, peduncles, and petioles, glandulously viscous; leaflets of an oval shape, villose beneath, with small viscous glands on their edges; spines of the branches numerous, and straight.

To the industry of Mr. Shailler, Nurseryman, of Little Chelsea, we are indebted for this delicate new Moss Rose; an acknowledged production between the Moss and White Province, or Rose Unique, and which is certainly a valuable addition to this lovely tribe. It evidently bears the compound characters of both plants, with a foliage very distinct from either of them; yet it cannot be deemed perfectly a white flower, since a delicate pale blush pervades the centre of the blossom: this, however, we regard as no diminution of its beauty, and probably not a permanent character, but owing to a tender habit, which time and culture may remove, when it becomes more abundant.

At present it is a very scarce Rose, and requires a sheltered situation. The soil in which most Roses thrive best is a light, sandy soil. Some grow very luxuriant in a stony or gravelly situation. This succeeds better with a considerable portion of rich bog earth.

ROSA muscosa, variegata.
Striped Moss Rose.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa, germinibus ovatis; calycibus, pedunculis, et petiolis glanduloso-viscosis; foliolis ovatis, subtus villosis, marginibus glandulosis; spinis ramorum sparsis, rectis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose, with egg-shaped seed-buds; empalements, peduncles, and petioles glandulously viscous; leaflets egg-shaped, softly haired beneath, with glandular margins; spines of the branches scattered, and straight.

This charming Striped Variety is another acquisition to the Mossy tribe, and, we think, of equal value with the White; and though very distinct in its character from that plant, it yet betrays a powerful affinity in many particulars, so as to leave but little doubt of its origin being nearly the same. In flower it approaches nearest to the York and Lancaster Rose, which in size and colour it much resembles.

This is likewise the production of Mr. Shailler, who propagated it at the same time as the White variety, and is equally scarce; principally owing to its being treated with too little care before it was sufficiently established. We have no doubt, however, that in time it will be equally as hardy as any other.

ROSA Provincialis.
Province Rose.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa, germinibus subrotundis; pedunculis petiolisque hispidis et glandulosis; aculeis ramorum sparsis, rectis, sub-reflexis; foliolis ovatis, subtus villosis; serratulis glandulosis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose, with roundish seed-buds; peduncles and petioles hispid and glandular. The prickles of the branches are scattered, straight, and slightly bent back. The leaflets are villous beneath, with glandulose serratures.

The species of Rose denominated Province, a native of Spain and Italy, is by far the most extended. The varieties are so numerous, that they apparently comprise one third of the genus. Our present figure represents the Single Province, a very scarce rose; and as the incipient ground of so many beautiful varieties, we regard it as peculiarly valuable. It is a singular circumstance, that from Spain and Italy, where the Province is supposed to be indigenous, and thence imported to us, we should never have heard of the Single Province, much less received the plant; which we can in no way account for, unless the superior beauty of the Common Province, joined to its great abundance, may have rendered the idea of importing those with single flowers superfluous.

Our figure was taken from the only plant we have ever seen, at the nursery of Mr. Shailer, of Little Chelsea.

ROSA Provincialis, alba.
White Province, or Rose Unique.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa, germinibus subrotundis; pedunculis petiolisque hispidis et glandulosis; caule et ramis aculeatis, sparsis, rectis, sub-reflexis; foliolis ovatis, subtus villosis, marginibus glandulosis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose, with seed-buds nearly round; peduncles and petioles hispid and glandular: the stem and branches are prickly, scattered, straight, and slightly bent back: the leaflets are villous beneath, with slightly glandular margins.

Among the recent additions to this genus, the White Province, or Rose Unique, is indisputably the most valuable. Its introduction in 1777 was entirely accidental, through the medium of the late Mr. Grimwood, nurseryman, a great admirer and collector of roses, who, in an excursion which he usually made every summer, in passing the front garden of Mr. Richmond, a baker near Needham in Suffolk, there perceived the present charming plant, where it had been placed by a carpenter who found it near a hedge on the contiguous premises of a Dutch merchant, whose old mansion he was repairing. Mr. Grimwood, requesting a little cutting of it, received from Mr. Richmond the whole plant; when Mr. G., in return for a plant so valuable, presented him with an elegant silver cup with the Rose engraved upon it; and which in commemoration has furnished food for many a convivial hour. It is of a dwarf growth, and remains in flower near six weeks longer than the other Province Roses; which renders it still the more estimable. We wish it had been in our power to have accounted for its having been till so lately a stranger to us, and whence indigenous; but at present our information is entirely confined to the knowledge of its casual introduction; and until some further light is thrown upon the subject, to elucidate its genealogy, we shall regard it as a native.

Our drawing was taken from a plant in the nursery of Messrs. Colville, King’s Road.

ROSA parviflora, Provincialis.
Small-flowered Province or Blandford Rose.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa parviflora, germinibus sub-globosis; pedunculis glandulosis; caule et petiolis aculeatis; aculeis ramorum sparsis, rectis, sub-reflexis; foliolis ovatis, subtus villosis, marginibus glandulosis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose, with small flowers, and nearly round seed-buds: the footstalks are glandular; the stem and petioles prickly; the spines of the branches are scattered, straight, and slightly reflexed; the leaflets egg-shaped, villous or hairy beneath, with glandular margins.

The Kingston, or Blandford Rose as it is most generally called, was introduced by Mr. Kingston, nurseryman at Blandford near Dorset, in the year 1791. In its character it has every thing in common with the Province Rose, with a specifically distinct small flower (whence our name); which contrasted with the largeness of its leaves, gives a singularity to its appearance. In its blossom it approaches nearest to the Roses of Burgundy and de Meaux; in shape like the former, but in colour more resembling the latter: but no affinity whatever to the leaves of either. It is certainly a very desirable Rose, as the number of those with very small flowers is very circumscribed, and therefore renders every addition particularly valuable. Like most of the Roses, it continues to bloom during the months of June, July, and August, and makes a handsome bushy appearance.

Our drawing was made from a fine plant in the nursery of Messrs. Whitley and Brames, Old Brompton.

ROSA Eglanteria, Var. flore pleno.
Double Sweet Briar or Eglantine Rose.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa, foliis odoratis; germinibus ovatis, pedunculisque hispidis; caule et petiolis aculeatis; aculeis magnis, recurvis; foliolis ovatis, subtus rubiginosis, glanduloso-pilosis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose, with sweet-scented leaves and egg-shaped seed-buds; peduncles hispid; stem and petioles prickly; prickles large and recurved; the leaflets are ovate, rusty beneath, and glandulosely hairy.

This fine semi-double variety of the Sweet Briar is an acquisition highly esteemed; and so we think will be every addition to this charming species, whose leaves diffuse such aromatic fragrance. In its semi-double flowers only, it is particularly distinct from the Single, and certainly makes a much handsomer appearance. Its flowers are gracefully crowded together, but rarely more than two flowers expand at one time; but the succession of buds approaching maturity gives it a very picturesque appearance. We observed but a slight proportion of the rusty character so powerfully attached to the wild species. Its fruit, when ripening, acquires a beautiful orange red, which is an addition to the plant when out of bloom. There is a paler-coloured variety of this plant, of stouter growth, but which we have not as yet examined with sufficient accuracy, to ascertain whether it is distinct enough to require a separate figure.

Our drawing was made from a fine plant in the nursery of Messrs. Loddige, Hackney.

ROSA Gallica, officinalis.
Officinal or French Red Rose.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa, germinibus globosis; floribus magnis, rubris, stypticis, pedunculisque hispidis; caule petiolisque hispido-aculeatis; foliolis sub-ovatis, subtus villosis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose, with globular seed-buds; the flowers are large, red, and astringent; peduncles hispid; the stem and petioles hispidly prickly; the leaflets are nearly egg-shaped, and villous beneath.

This large grand Rose is both useful as well as ornamental. The flowers are used in medicine (whence its term officinal) in preference to many other restoratives. By the Arabian physicians they were in great estimation for their mild astringent and corroborant virtues, most particularly in phthisical cases. The flowers cannot be too quickly dried, as slowly drying of them impairs both their colour and quality. They are prepared as a conserve, by an infusion of honey. The bloom is but of short duration, but the succession is rapid. It is of a semi-double character, and of a fine red colour; from three to four feet high, and very bushy. It is in great perfection during the months of June, July, and August, and is extremely beautiful. Its foliage is rather rough and coarse, and when out of bloom in the autumn it is very subject to mildew.

Our drawing was made from the nursery of Messrs. Whitley and Brames, Old Brompton.

ROSA Provincialis, multiplex.
Double or Cabbage Province Rose.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa, multiplex, germinibus sub-globosis; pedunculis petiolisque hispidis et glandulosis; aculeis ramorum sparsis, rectis, sub-reflexis; foliolis ovatis, subtus villosis, marginibus glandulosis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose, with many folds, and nearly round seed-buds; the peduncles and petioles are hispid and glandular; the prickles of the branches are scattered, straight, and slightly reflexed; leaflets egg-shaped, villous beneath, with glandular margins.

This variety of the Common Province is the most fragrant of all the Roses, and therefore particularly desirable; for, although it cannot be ranked among the rare, it is nevertheless one of the most beautiful. Its sweetness, joined to the abundance of its blossoms, has rendered it an object of culture, for the purpose of distillation; as it yields a much greater quantity of scented water than any other rose. It is generally denominated the Cabbage Province, from the extreme complexity of its petals, which sometimes adhere so closely together, as to prevent entirely their expansion without bursting:—a circumstance that frequently occurs in the vegetable from which its specific distinction is derived, and which we regard to be unequivocally good, as we should every similitude of equally easy reference. By the closeness and superabundance of its petals only, is it distinguished from the Common Province, of which it is certainly an interesting variety.

ROSA moschata.
Musk Rose.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa, paniculis multifloris, redolens quasi moschum; germinibus ovatis; pedunculisque villosis; petiolis aculeatis; foliolis oblongis, acuminatis, glabris; spinis ramorum majoribus, sparsis, rectisque.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose, with many-flowered panicles, scented like musk; seed-bud egg-shaped; peduncles villose; petioles prickly; the leaflets are oblong, acuminated, and smooth; the spines of the branches are large, scattered, and straight.

As a perfectly distinct species, the present figure is well deserving of notice. Its flowers are numerous, of a soft creamy white, and which are supposed to emit an odour resembling the perfume called musk. A specific name thus derived, we should not hold in much estimation were the plant ever so deficient in descriptive character; but as the reverse is obvious in the present instance, it is still the more objectionable. Were it, therefore, a name of recent introduction, we should certainly take the liberty of altering it; but, as it has been long known under the title of Musk Rose, however vague and imperfect the reference, we do not think ourselves authorized to change it.

It is a native of the island of Madeira, and a very desirable rose, although by no means splendid; but as one of the latter blowing it is a considerable addition, as it illumines that part of autumn, when the major part of this luxuriant tribe have ceased to bloom.

Our figure was made from a fine plant in the nursery of Messrs. Whitley and Brames, Old Brompton.

ROSA moschata, Var. flore pleno.
Double Musk Rose.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa, paniculis multifloris, redolens quasi moschum; pedunculis villosis, petiolis aculeatis; foliolis oblongis, acuminatis, glabris; spinis ramorum latis, sparsis, rectis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose, with many-flowered panicles, scented like musk; peduncles villose, petioles prickly; the leaflets are oblong, pointed, and smooth; the spines of the branches are broad, scattered, and straight.

This variety of the Musk Rose differs but little, if at all, from the single, except in its semi-double flowers, which in that particular give to the plant a very distinct appearance; but in every other respect it is so closely allied, that it may justly be called the prototype of the former; more especially as upon the single plant double flowers have sometimes been found, but not frequent; and careful cultivation has now rendered it a circumstance of very rare occurrence. Its blossoms certainly form a richer appearance than the single; their fragrance is by some thought stronger, by others weaker; on the propriety of which we shall make no further comment, than merely to observe that we regard an appeal to the olfactory organs of all references the most imperfect.

This plant, as well as the former, is frequently on the upper part of the branches free from spines, but on the lower part of the stems they are extremely large and strong.

Our figure was made from plants in the nursery of Messrs. Colville, King’s Road.

ROSA indica.
Indian Rose.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa, germinibus subrotundis, pedunculisque læviter hispidis; glabra, et nitida, semper florens; petiolis aculeatis; foliolis oblongis, acuminatis, nitidissimis; caule viridi, nitido, ad basin spinoso.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose, with roundish seed-buds, and peduncles slightly hispid; smooth and shining, ever blooming; the petioles are prickly; the leaflets are oblong, sharp-pointed, and very shining; stem green, shining, and thorny towards the base.

This most elegant rose is justly considered as one of the greatest ornaments ever introduced to this country. The light delicacy of its pinky flowers, and its bright shining green leaves, aided by its unceasing and abundant bloom, render it so attractive that very few roses can compare with it; in fragrance it is inferior to most; for although at times we have found it slightly scented, we must confess to have found it sometimes so deficient in this particular as to be almost induced to regard it as a scentless rose.

All the information that we have been able to acquire respecting its introduction is, that it was first seen in the garden of the late Mr. Parsons of Rickmansworth in Hertfordshire, in the year 1793, soon after which period Messrs. Colville procuring a plant, cultivated it, and it has been ever since increasing in estimation. In the cold season of the year its blossoms are very pale; too great an exposure to the sun likewise produces the same effect. We have frequently seen it of a rich flesh-colour, but never deep.

It is commonly called Pale China Rose; but we have preferred the literal English name, to avoid confusion, by an appearance of two names for one plant, which can never be desirable.

Our figure was made from a plant in the Hibbertian collection, Clapham Common.

ROSA Belgica, blanda.
Blush Belgic Rose.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus globosis, ad basin glandulosis, pedunculis hispido-glandulosis, floribus confertis, pallide carneis; foliolis ovatis, acuminatis; caule et petiolis aculeatis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose, with globose seed-buds, slightly glandular; peduncles hispidly glandular, flowers crowded, and of a pale flesh-colour, leaflets are ovate, and pointed; the stem and petioles prickly.

This fine pale variety of the Belgic Rose is much esteemed. Its flowers are in succession abundant, but rarely more than two are in perfection at one time. A considerable degree of sameness certainly pervades the Dutch species, to which a judicious curtailment will be very serviceable, by excluding those very trivial florescent varieties from a figurative description; by which abbreviation, a much greater degree of interest will be attached to those, that actually possess a character sufficiently distinct, to require a separate figure, and at the same time it will get rid of an heterogeneous mass of superlative phrases made use of occasionally by way of discrimination. The Author will nevertheless give as satisfactory a reason as possible for the apparent expulsion of any of this attractive genus.

Our figure was made from a fine plant in the nursery of Messrs. Colville, King’s Road, in the month of July, from which period till September it is in constant bloom.

ROSA menstrua, Var. flore racemoso.
Monthly Rose, Cluster-flowered Variety.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa, germinibus oblongis, sæpeflorens, racemosa, fragrans; pedunculis petiolisque hispidis, et glandulosis; aculeis ramorum sparsis, rectis; foliolis oblongis, subtus villosis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose, with oblong seed-buds, often flowering, clustered, sweet-scented; the peduncles and petioles are hispid and glandular; the prickles of the branches are scattered and straight; the leaflets are of an oblong form, and villous beneath.

This cluster-flowered Variety is undoubtedly the most attractive of that species of Rose denominated Monthly. To its fine abundant and frequent bloom is attached a fragrance of unequivocal sweetness, for which it is much esteemed. It bears so great a resemblance to the Damask Rose, that we are strongly induced to regard it as a continuation of that species, and have but little doubt, if the flowers were dried and analysed, they would be found to contain the same medicinal virtues. The title of Monthly is certainly a term of latitude with regard to its flowering; for, in the literal sense, it should imply a perpetually blooming Rose; which undoubtedly a Rose must be that blossoms every month; but this is by no means the case with the present species, although in mild seasons it may be found in bloom in December or January; which gives it a decided superiority over many of the summer species.

Our figure was taken from a fine blooming specimen in the month of September, at the nursery of Messrs. Whitley and Brames, Old Brompton.

ROSA racemosa.
Clustered Rose, or Rose of the four Seasons.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa, germinibus sub-rotundis, læviter glandulosa, pedunculis hispido-glandulosis, sæpe florentibus, racemosis, læte rubro-purpureis; foliolis ovatis, subtus villosis; aculeis ramorum sparsis, rectis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose, with roundish seed-buds, slightly glandular, peduncles hispidly glandular, often blooming, clustered, and of a bright red purple; leaflets are ovate, and villous beneath; the prickles of the branches are scattered and straight.

This very desirable Rose was introduced from France under the title of La Rose de quatre Saisons, and which we conceive to be an appropriate term, as it refers with some degree of accuracy to the frequency of its flowering. For although it is not in flower all the year, yet it is found blooming in every season; a circumstance of rare occurrence, and (the Chinese or Indian Rose excepted) only to be found in the species called the Monthly Rose, from which analogy alone, the Rose of the four Seasons has been by many supposed to be only the Clustered-flowered Monthly under a new name; but to this it has not the slightest affinity except in its foliage, being in every other respect most particularly distinct. It is also a scarcer rose, and by no means so well known as it deserves to be.

The figure was taken from a fine plant in the nursery of Messrs. Loddiges, Hackney.

ROSA Provincialis, blanda.
Blush Province Rose.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa, germinibus sub-globosis, incarnatis; pedunculis petiolisque hispidis et glandulosis; aculeis ramorum sparsis, rectis; foliolis ovatis, subtus villosis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose, with nearly round seed-buds, flesh-coloured; the peduncles and petioles are hispid and glandular; the prickles of the branches are scattered, and straight; the leaflets are egg-shaped, and villose beneath.

Of all the numerous variations in the Province Rose, this is the most delicate variety; and as a well-known and much-admired (although only a slight) variety of the Red, it is highly deserving of a separate figure.—This specimen represents the most general character of the Blush Province. As we have two florescent varieties of this pale delicate character, from the same species, whose slight distinctions have no doubt lent their aid to swell the train of superfluous novelty,—the Author is in hopes, by the observations he has already made on the variations of the same Rose by different modes of culture, joined with the further inspection he shall be enabled to make in the course of the ensuing summer, that it will be in his power to ascertain with accuracy the difference between the mere florescent varieties of growth, and those actually distinct in their character, independent of that circumstance.

ROSA Gallica variegata; vel Rosa Mundi.
Striped French Rose; or Rose of the World.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa, germinibus globosis; floribus magnis, et eleganter variegatis; pedunculis hispidis; caule et petiolis hispidis et aculeatis; foliolis sub-ovatis, subtus villosis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose, with globular seed-buds; flowers large, and elegantly striped; peduncles hispid; the stem and petioles are hispid and prickly; the leaflets are nearly egg-shaped, and villose beneath.

This elegant Striped variety of the Rosa Gallica is certainly more attractive than its original, the officinalis. Its fine red stripes acquire a comparatively superior brilliance, by their contrast with the white; from which analogous circumstance we believe the name of Rosa Mundi has been originally derived from a collateral reference to that celebrated lady in the reign of Henry the Second, commonly called Fair Rosamund (signifying Rose-mouth). Thus, like the Rose, the colour of her lips was heightened by the comparative delicacy of her fair complexion; and which the Author has no doubt will be considered as a fair excuse, however remote or questionable the etymology. Like all other variegated Roses, an exactitude of character is never to be expected; we having sometimes seen it more divided than our figure represents, and at others so much less so as to be nearly one half white, and the other red.

The drawing was made from fine plants in the nursery of Messrs. Whitley and Brames, Old Brompton.

ROSA Gallica; Var. flore marmoreo.
French Rose; Marbled-flowered Variety.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa, germinibus globosis; floribus magnis, marmoreis; pedunculis hispidis; caule petiolisque hispido-aculeatis; foliolis sub-ovatis, subtus villosis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose, with globular seed-buds; the flowers are large, and of a marbled character; peduncles hispid; the stem and petioles are hispidly prickly; the leaflets are nearly egg-shaped, and villous beneath.

This Marbled Variety of the officinalis, or French Red Rose, is, like the Striped, a variety of colour only: for although all the three Roses appear distinct from each other when in flower; yet, when out of bloom, it is scarcely possible to distinguish the one from the other. We have sometimes observed the foliage of this variety more undulated or waved than the others; a trifling difference, if it is even a constant character;—but most likely a mere casualty of growth. It is exactly of the same bushy habit as the other two; and, like them, equally subject to mildew in the autumn.

Our drawing was made from a fine plant, in luxuriant bloom, at the nursery of Mr. Shailer, King’s Road, Chelsea.

ROSA Provincialis, semi-duplex.
Semi-double Province Rose.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus subrotundis; pedunculis petiolisque hispidis et glandulosis; floribus semi-duplicibus; aculeis ramorum sparsis, rectis, sub-reflexis; foliolis ovatis, subtus villosis, serraturis glandulosis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with roundish seed-buds; peduncles and petioles hispid and glandular; flowers semi-double. The prickles of the branches are scattered, straight, and slightly bent back. The leaflets are ovate, villous beneath, with glandular serratures.

This fine Semi-double Province Rose is at present but little known, being nearly of as recent a date as the Single, although not quite so rare—but in beauty by no means inferior; and when regarded as a connecting link in the symmetrical arrangement of this very numerous species, it will doubtless be considered as a valuable acquisition. Amidst their numerous variations of flower, very little if any difference is observable in the foliage, except what is incident to the health or age of the plant. The leaves are invariably composed of leaflets of from one to three pairs, with a terminating or end one: but those having three pairs are mostly confined to the lower part of the plant; and frequently those leaves at the base of the footstalks of the flowers have only the abortive rudiments of what would have been one pair of leaflets, had not the luxuriance of its blossoms absorbed the nourishment that would otherwise have brought them to maturity.

The figure was made from a plant at the nursery of Mr. Shailer, King’s Road.

ROSA nana, minor.
Small Dwarf, or Pompone Rose.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus subrotundis, parvifloris, incarnatis, in medio profunde rubris; foliolis ovatis, acutis, et parvis; subtus villosis, marginibus serrulatis, glandulosis; caule et petiolis aculeatis; aculeis ramorum sparsis, rectis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with roundish seed-buds, small-flowered, flesh-coloured, and of a deep red in the centre. The leaflets are ovate, sharp-pointed, and small; downy beneath, with small sawed glandular margins. The stem and petioles are prickly: the prickles of the branches are scattered, and straight.

This elegant minor variety of the Dwarf Rose has been, and still continues to be, regarded as superior to most, equal to any, and surpassed by no one, of this enchanting genus at present known. It is an evident variety of the Rose de Meaux, an equally beautiful Rose, but whose flowers are larger, and deficient in the fine deep red eye;—the principal specific distinction, in the present plant, and which is thought to give it a decided superiority. But whether this distinction be a permanent character, is certainly at present a matter of doubt; for in several instances we have seen it lose this central distinction, and attain the full height of its original. Yet against this observation we are acquainted with two exceptions: one of them, a plant in the nursery of Mr. Shailer; the other, a plant in the nursery of Messrs. Loddige; neither of these plants having for years grown beyond a foot in height, nor have the proprietors ever been able to propagate them. It is therefore not improbable, that upon comparing them with the present figure when in fine bloom, there may be found a sufficient distinction to enable us to subjoin another figure of it, under the title of minima, or smallest variety.

The drawing was made from a plant at the nursery of Messrs. Whitley and Brames, Old Brompton.

ROSA nana, minor; Var. æqualiflora.
Small Dwarf Rose; Equal-flowered Variety.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus subrotundis, parvifloris, incarnatis, æqualibus; foliolis ovatis, subtus villosis; marginibus serrulatis, glandulosis; caule et petiolis aculeatis; aculeis ramorum sparsis, rectis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with roundish seed-buds, small-flowered, flesh-coloured, and equal. The leaflets are egg-shaped, villose beneath, with sawed glandular margins. The stem and petioles are prickly: the prickles of the branches are scattered and straight.

This variety was introduced from France by Mr. Williams, a nurseryman residing near Paris. It is of a compound character; the leaves and the colour of the flowers resembling the Rosa nana, but in point of size much more like the nana minor, or Pompone Rose; yet differing again from that, in the great regularity of the petals—(whence the name æqualiflora)—a trivial distinction, and yet the most prominent feature allowed us by way of discrimination. Nor should we have adopted it, had we not seen at the nursery of Messrs. Colville a number of plants of exactly the same uniform description; which induced us to regard it as a permanent character. If it should prove so (which time alone can ascertain), the name will be sufficiently discriminative: but in case the flowers should enlarge, that circumstance might probably disorganize the symmetry of the petals, and it would then have no distinguishing mark to separate it from the de Meaux; between which and the Pompone Rose it is certainly a variety. But whilst so many variations are allowed among the larger Roses, the lesser ones (but not less estimated) may with propriety claim an equal right to be admitted, particularly as they are so few, compared with those of larger magnitude.

ROSA Carolina, pimpinellæfolia.
Great Burnet-leaved Carolina Rose.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa, germinibus globosis, pedunculisque hispidis; petiolis aculeatis; foliolis oblongis, acutis, serratis; caule glabro; spinis ramorum sparsis, et oppositis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose, with round seed-buds and hispid peduncles; petioles prickly; leaflets oblong, sharp-pointed, and sawed; stem smooth; spines of the branches are scattered, and opposite.

This Rose, so well known by the appellation of the Great Burnet-leaved, is estimated as a variety of the Carolina; but in our opinion the resemblance is not very powerful. Probably a more minute investigation of some of the intermediate varieties at some future period may enable us to throw some further light on the subject. It is a very shrubby and rather dwarfish-growing plant, inclinable to spread; and although not particularly attractive, is by no means deficient in beauty. It continues a long time in successive bloom, and is possessed of a very handsome double-flowered variety.

Our drawing was made from a plant at the nursery of Messrs. Colville.

ROSA Pennsylvanica.
Pennsylvanian Rose.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa, germinibus globosis, pedunculisque hispidis; foliolis ovatis, acuminatis, serratis, glabris; spinis ramorum oppositis, rectis, rubris.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose, with round seed-buds, and hispid peduncles; the leaflets are of an ovate form, sharp-pointed, sawed, and smooth; the thorns of the branches are opposite, straight, and red.

This handsome Single Rose is supposed to be one of the varieties of the Carolina, and for that reason, we believe, called the Pennsylvanian Rose, and perfectly well known under that title; although we think the plant bears very little affinity to the Carolina Rose, and is perhaps nearer allied to the Austrian than any other. It certainly bears a considerable resemblance to the Burnet-leaved variety of the Carolina; but has much more of the character of a brier attached to it, and is generally estimated as the most desirable variety.

It is in fine bloom from the middle of June to the end of August. There is a delicate variety of it with double flowers.

Our figure was made from the nursery of Messrs. Colville.

ROSA parvifolia.
Small-leaved, or Burgundy Rose.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa, germinibus globosis; pedunculis et petiolis hispidis; floribus multiplicibus, equalibus; foliolis ovatis, acutis, parvis, subtus villosis, marginibus serrulatis; caule fruticoso; aculeis ramorum sparsis, rectis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose, with round seed-buds; peduncles and petioles hispid; flowers with many folds, and equal; leaflets ovate, sharp-pointed and small, hairy beneath, with finely sawed edges; stem shrubby; the spines of the branches are scattered and straight.