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Rosa

This genus of Rosaceae is a very important one in the garden, and is represented in most parts of the country by one or more of the several distinct types of garden Roses which have originated through the efforts of the hybridist. With these garden types we have nothing to do now, however, our attention being given to the species and botanical varieties. Of these there are about two hundred in cultivation, and many of them are exceptionally beautiful and well worth prominent positions in the garden.

The neater growers, such as Rosa spinosissima, Rosa lutea, Rosa Indica, and their respective varieties, make good specimen beds, while others of a stronger character, such as Rosa Alpina, Rosa Calif ornica, Rosa Damascena, Rosa Gallica, Rosa humilis, Rosa microphylla, and Rosa rugosa, are useful for groups in the shrubbery or wild garden.

The strongest of all, with long, rambling shoots, are capital subjects for informal groups in the wilder parts of the garden, for plantingagainst a rough fence, over which they can ramble at will, and for many other objects which will readily suggest themselves to the planter. Some of these are Rosa Arvensis and its double flowered form, Rosa moschata, Rosa multiflora, Rosa setigera, and Rosa Wichuraiana.

There is another set composed of the commoner kinds, such as Rosa canina and Rosa tomentosa, which never look better than when rambling over an old hedge. In addition to their flowering qualifications many of them have ornamental fruit.

The majority of these Roses are easily cultivated. They prefer a somewhat heavy, loamy soil, but will thrive in lighter material if it is enriched with manure. An occasional thinning out is necessary, and this should be done as soon as the flowers are over. Old, worn out wood must be removed to give light and air to the growing shoots.

Propagation is effected by means of seeds or cuttings. Some of these species are now being used largely by the hybridist in the production of the new race of rambling varieties which has leaped so quickly into the front ranks of garden plants. Rosa multiflora, Rosa Wichuraiana, and Rosa rugosa are three of the most important.

Of the many species and botanical varieties a selection of the very best is given:

Rosa Alpina, the Alpine Rose, is a European plant 5 or 6 feet high, with deep blush flowers and bright red fruits.

Rosa Arvensis, the Ayrshire Rose, is a native of Europe. It makes long, rambling shoots, which intertwine and form an almost impenetrable mass. The flowers are white, and borne in May. The variety flore pleno has double blooms.

Rosa Borbonica is the bourbon Rose. It is a hybrid between Rosa Indica and Rosa Gallica.

Rosa Californica is a native of western North America. It grows 10 or 12 feet high, and bears red flowers in May, which are followed by beautiful red fruits.

Rosa canina is the common Dog Rose of our hedges.

Rosa Damascena is a hybrid between Rosa Gallica and Rosa moschata; it is the old Damask Rose. The form variegata is the York and Lancaster Rose.

Rosa Gallica.

Rosa Iodica is a dwarf, Chinese species, and is known as the Monthly Rose. It produces red blossoms throughout summer. The variety sanguinea is the Crimson China Rose; it has semidouble blossoms, and is a lovely free flowering form. The variety monstrosa is the Green-flowered Ros.e. R. Indica is the originator of the race of Tea Roses.

Rosa lutea, the Austrian Brier, is a beautiful, yellow blossomed Oriental species, which flowers in May. The variety bicolor has reddish brown and yellow blooms.

Rosa moschata, the Musk Rose, grows 18 or 20 feet high, and produces large panicles of white, very fragrant blossoms in July. It is found from south Europe to India.

Rosa multiflora is from China and Japan. It forms a large, tangled bush, 10 feet high, and 12 feet or more through. The flowers are white and in large panicles.

Rosa Noisettiana is the Noisette Rose. It is a hybrid between Rosa Indica and Rosa moschata.

Rosa rubiginosa, the Eglantine or Sweet Brier, is a popular and well known European species, grown for the sake of its fragrant leaves. It is one of the parents of the Penzance Briers.

Rosa rubrifolia, from the mountains of Europe, is useful by reason of its purple leaves.

Rosa rugosa.

Rosa setigera.

Rosa spinosissima, the Scotch or Burnet Rose, grows from 2 to 3 feet high, and bears small white flowers. There are many varieties, some of which have yellow, pink, white, or purple blossoms, while others, again, have double flowers. Some of the best of these varieties are Altaica, which grows 3 to 4 feet high, and bears large white blooms; flore luteo pleno, with pretty double yellow flowers; Harrisoni, with double yellow flowers; hispida, with single pale yellow blossoms; and luteo, with yellow blooms.

Rosa Wichuraiana is a native of China and Japan. It forms long, scandent branches, clothed with glossy green, almost evergreen, leaves, and bears white blossoms in August. It is a useful subject for covering bare banks or low fences, and although introduced only ten or twelve years ago, it is now used greatly by the hybridist.