A Rose Selection

Of the polyantha Roses, I like much the wild kind, but the forms made from it are inferior and rarely worth growing. Noisettes are simply a source of futile division. The best of them might well be put with the Teas. And so with the Damask, which is of little value except as a curiosity. And the same may be said of the Bourbons, the Albas, and the Gallicas, Ayrshires, and Boursaults.

In the face of these facts the best I think I can do is to tell of Roses that have given satisfactory results here for years. No attempt is made to classify them, but I simply give a list of the proved kinds. No doubt individual taste will vary, but these may be depended on. Some of them, like the China and the Cramoisie, are very old and among the best:-

American Pillar, Anna Olivier, Antoine Rivoire, Bouquet dOr, Brunoni, Carmine Pillar, Caroline Testout, Climbing ditto, Climbing La France, Climbing Niphetos, Climbing Papa Gontier, Climbing Perle des Jardins, Climbing Richmond, Comtesse du Caryla, Cramoisie superieur, Dorothy Page Roberts, Felicite Perpetue, Fellenberg, General MacArthur, G. Nabbonaud, Gloire de Dijon, Gustave Regis, Grand Duke of Luxemburg, Hugh Dickson, Irish Beauty, Irish Fireflame, Joseph Hill, Lady Ashtown, Lady Hillingdon, Lady Roberts, Lady Waterlow, Lamarque, La Tosca, Laurent Carle, Laurette Messimy, Le Progres, Lieut. Chaure, Mme. Abel Chatenay, Mme. Berard, Mme. Eugene Resal, Mme. Hector Lenillot, Mme. Hoste, Mme. Isaac Pereire, Mme. Jules Grolez, Mme. Lambard, Mme. Leon Pain, Mme. Melanie Supert, Mme. Ravary, Marie van Houtte, Marquise de Sinety, Mrs Aaron Ward, Mrs A.R. Waddell, Mrs David MKee, Mrs E.G. Hill, Pauls Scarlet Climber, Papa Gontier, Pharisaer, Pink China, Prince de Bulgarie, Princesse Mary Mertchersky, Princesse de Sagan, Red Letter Day, Rene dOr, Rosa Anemone (Sinica), Rosa Bracteata, Simplicity, Souv. de Gustave Prat, Souv. de President Carnot, Theresa, Una, Wm. Allen Richardson, Zepherine Dronhin.

There are many beautiful single Roses, and now that some interest has been awakened in them, we may expect to see them more freely planted. Some are vigorous climbers which, allowed to have their own way and a branched tree to support them, will climb to a great height; others, sturdy and bushy, are suitable for planting in bold groups and masses, and rare ones will merit special care. They are free from the pests that infest the double Roses, and above all things when single Roses are present in the garden a roseless June will not happen even in the worst of seasons. Wild Roses are such rapid growers, even when not greatly encouraged, that they should not be allowed in well-made beds, like those for Rhododendrons, as they soon exterminate other things. Mine I put in an orchard, and they spread about so quickly that they are difficult to get rid of. It is best, therefore, to have a limited number of them only of the kinds one admires, avoiding anything in the nature of a miscellaneous collection.

R. Repens (or R. arvensis) is the wild parent of the Ayrshire Roses. It is a free-growing plant, but requires some support to get it off the ground at first. We train it up stout Oak branches, and get it a few feet high, then let it ramble at will. For covering roots, banks, mounds, pillars, etc., these are excellent, forming at last huge tangled masses of the greatest beauty and elegance in the wild garden. The flowers are white or pale pink.

R. Rubrifolia (Red-leaved R.) should have a place for its lovely-tinted leaves and shoots; it has a rambling or climbing habit, but also grows into a large self-supporting bush or spreads nicely when pegged down. The flowers are red and small, the fruits purplish-red with soft flesh. Its chief charm, however, is in the color of shoots and leaves. The young, strong shoots are purple-red overlaid with a pale grey bloom, whilst the leaves are of a peculiar glaucous color brightly tinged with red. N. America.

Related Flowers

The Needle R.

The Needle R. (A Rose Selection Acicularis) - A beautiful Wild Rose, which when leafless might well be mistaken for the Japan Rose, it is so armed with the sharpest needlepointed spines, and it has the same stout, vigorous, bushy habit of growth as rugosa. In flower and fruit it is quite different, and is a bright flowered kind, but early and long blooming; and it is always one of the first to open. It is a native of Siberia, as hardy as any kind known, but as yet uncommon in gardens.

Alpine R.

Alpine R. (A Rose Selection Alpina) - More worthy of a place in the garden than the varieties of which it is the parent-the Boursaults-it grows to a great size, with long, thornless shoots; does not make such a color display as most kinds, but it is welcome for its earliness, and a bowl of its rosy-red flowers is pretty in the house in May.

The Macartney R.

The Macartney R. (A Rose Selection Bracteata) - A little tender, but repays a little extra care, and is better for a wall, which in a sunny aspect is needed to bring it out in its full beauty. The plant is almost evergreen; leaves dark green and shining; the flowers large, milk-white, sweetly scented, of a pretty cupped form. China.

Common Dog R.

Common Dog R. (A Rose Selection Canina) - This would not come into our garden roses list were it not for the charming kind, Una, which has recently come from it. The plant is a cross with a Dijon Tea, and of freely rambling habit, well suited to pillars, arches, pergolas, and either to train against tree-trunks or pegged along the ground. The buds are shapely, of a clear buff yellow, opening as large single flowers of pale creamy-white.

Carolina R.

Carolina R. (A Rose Selection Carolina) - Some-what resembles R. lucida, but distinct, as it blooms during August, when most kinds are over, and it keeps flowering through September. It is a tall, upright grower, established bushes being 6 feet high. Its wood is smooth, with few spines; the leaflets are long and narrow, and the flowers come in clusters of a dozen or more among plenty of foliage, the buds when opening being rich crimson and the expanded flowers bright rosy-red and sweet-scented. The leaves when handled have a distinct and pleasant fragrance.

A Rose Selection Hugonis

A Rose Selection Hugonis - A very beautiful, yellow wild Rose, tall and free in Sussex. When I first saw it over my head I was much surprised. Native of W. China, it was first sent to England by Father Hugh Scallan, a missionary there. It flowers early, which is an added charm. R. Hugonis is the most vigorous of the yellow flowered species. It flowers early, usually from seed. May onwards. At Combe Warren a great rounded bush, 10 feet or more high and almost as much through, is each year shrouded with the delicate yellow flowers. Flowering, too, when quite small, it is a delightful plant to garden with.

Indian R.

Indian R. (A Rose Selection Indica) - In it we see those excellent qualities and continuous bloom that have been kept through numerous generations, and contribute so much to the charm of the Tea and Monthly Roses of the present day. Of this species there are two or three forms in cultivation, and though somewhat tender, if given some root protection, they are seldom killed. Like the Tea Roses, this species is ever growing, and blooms from early summer till late autumn.

Cherokee R.

Cherokee R. (A Rose Selection Laevigata) - This is tender, save in a few favoured spots in the south. Rose "Anemone" is from a cross with some Tea Rose, but it retains the fine foliage and form of flower of R. laevigata, and the dark brown shoots freely armed with thorns and prickles. It is of free growth, hardy, and blooms freely in May and June from its second year, the flowers 4 inches across, rosy-crimson on first opening, fading to a silvery rose threaded with darker veins. The plant climbs freely, and lends itself to pretty uses upon walls, pergolas and banks; it should have a sunny and sheltered place.

Glossy R.

Glossy R. (A Rose Selection Lucida) - One of the best Wild Roses, with leaves of a shining green color, and just when our native and other early single Roses are passing away this comes into bloom in July and goes on for several weeks. Its flowers are large, opening flat, clear rosy-pink, sweet-scented, in clusters of from five to eight, succeeding one another, so that there is not usually more than one flower open at a time in a cluster. A few plants soon spread into a thick group, as it runs freely underground, and it is so easily increased by its suckers that it offers every facility for free planting.

A Rose Selection Lutea

A Rose Selection Lutea - This very distinct Rose is better known through the forms derived from it than in its wild form, pretty as that is, and it would be charming to grow on warm banks. There are two garden varieties, commonly called Austrian Briers, one with yellow flowers, the other orange-red, both beautiful for a sunny spot.

A Rose Selection Macrantha

A Rose Selection Macrantha - An early bloomer and a showy kind. The flowers are large and beautiful, chiefly white, but flesh-tinted round the edges and in the centre with a tuft of fine yellow stamens. In the open ground it makes a thick spreading bush. Europe.

A Rose Selection Microphylla

A Rose Selection Microphylla - A Chinese species allied to R. rugosa. It is a sturdy bush, noteworthy for its large yellowish, very prickly fruits. Its stems, on the other hand, have very few prickles, and they are also distinguished by the peeling loose bark. The flowers are delicate pale rose, not very large, but very fragrant. When it is in bloom the bees and flies swarm more to this Rose than any other. It does not come true from seed, but can be increased by layers.

Musk R.

Musk R. (A Rose Selection Moschata) - It is a little tender and should have a good place, with shelter while young, but it is very vigorous, and usually soon repairs any damage inflicted. Old plants grow more slowly and ripen better, so that hardiness increases. A good plant is strong enough to cover a high fence or wall, but it likes best to scramble about freely among other shrubs which give it support and shelter. The flowers come in July as spreading clusters of pure white with a yellow centre, thirty or more blossoms being often crowded into one mass, with nine or a dozen open at once. Each flower is large, opening wide and flat, with sometimes a pale flushing towards the edge of the petals. The musk-like fragrance is not marked unless in a moist atmosphere, such as after rain. The grey-green leaves have seven leaflets, and are scented when young.

Moyes R.

Moyes R. (A Rose Selection Moyesi) - The most startlingly beautiful wild Rose that has come to us for many years. It is splendid in color and vigour, with its red bottle-shapped fruits. In sussex it grows as freely as any Brier. The color is not easy to describe. Excellent for trellis or as a single bush, or for any purpose for which a wild rose can be used. Native of W. China, it was found by Mr. A. E. Pratt on the Thibetan frontier at an elevation of over 9,000 feet. Men talk of getting fine things by crossing this, but they will never get anything so good. There should be little or no pruning, the plant flowering on the previous seasons growth.

Garland R.

Garland R. (A Rose Selection Polyantha) - A rampant climber, which will quickly climb a tree, cover a building, or, away from any support, spread into an enormous bush. It has long, spineless shoots clothed with glossy green leaves, blooming early in June; a mass of white flowers crowded in a pyramidal truss, with a powerful scent. The variety grandiflora is an improvement, with very large flowers and its leaves almost evergreen. It has all the vigour of the type, and its flowers cluster in an immense truss, pure white and sweetly scented.

The Apple R.

The Apple R. (A Rose Selection Pomifera) - Among the Roses which claim our notice for the beauty of their fruits, none equal this old but neglected species. It is worth growing for its bright red fruit. Each fruit is 1 to 1 1/2 inches long, apple or sometimes pear-shaped, covered with bristles and surmounted by a crown of large glandular sepals.

A Rose Selection Sericea

A Rose Selection Sericea - It is a very pretty Rose both in flower and in leaf, and can be told from all other Roses by its shapely white flowers with four petals which are arranged in the shape of a Maltese cross, five being, of course, the normal number in this family. The leaflets are small and numerous, not unlike those of the Scotch Rose, and in one variety the young stems are quite red. North India. There is a strange form of this Rose from Yunnan, known as pteracantha, or the Great Spined Rose. It is remarkable for its stout ruddy stems, set throughout their entire length with broad wing-like spines, their effect unlike anything hitherto seen in the Rose family, and of remarkable brilliance in sunlight.

The Prairie R.

The Prairie R. (A Rose Selection Setigera) - Is a climbing plant of vigorous growth, the leaflets, of which there are three to each leaf, being large for a Rose. It blooms in July and August, and is thus one of the latest of all the Wild Roses to flower. The flowers are large and showy, and of a deep rose, but without fragrance. This Rose is seen best planted in a large group, and, given a few rough roots or posts to climb over, it soon makes a large impenetrable thicket. The fruits are small as compared with other Wild Roses.

A Rose Selection Setipoda

A Rose Selection Setipoda - A bushy species of recent introduction from C. China (Hupeh), whose purplish rose-colored flowers are freely produced in terminal corymbs. It is of shrub-like habit of growth, and reaches 6 or 10 feet high. June. Its fruit beauty, if less large and striking, is akin to R. Moyesie, and somewhat more brilliantly colored. The fruits, too, are freely furnished with bristles.

Burnet Rose

Burnet Rose (A Rose Selection Spinosissima) - A pretty native Wild Rose, which will grow and flourish in the lightest and hottest of soils, where many Roses fail. It is the parent of the Scotch Roses. The creamy white flowers of the wild plant are pretty and fragrant.

A Rose Selection Xanthina

A Rose Selection Xanthina - A charming plant for the rock garden, very like the Austrian Briers in general effect, but freer in growth and flower. Its flowers are small (only about 1 inch across), of a beautiful golden yellow, with deeper spots at the base of each petal. The stems are dwarf, slender, and very prickly, wreathed with flowers for a good part of their length. It flowers annually on the rockery at Kew.

A Rose Selection Willmottae

A Rose Selection Willmottae - A new species from W. China, where it was found by Wilson when plant-hunting for the Messrs Veitch on the Sangan Mountains at elevations from 10,000 to 11,000 feet. It forms a densely branched shrub 8 feet or more high, furnished with elegant foliage. The solitary flowers are of a bright rose-pink, and are freely produced in June on the, arching branches of the previous seasons growth. Fruits roundish and of orange-red color. Quite hardy and very pretty.

The above is a choice of the best Wild Roses known to us for the garden or shrubberies and fences near the garden. There are many Wild Roses inhabiting northern and temperate countries, and many that have never been in cultivation.

Related Flowers

Ramanas R.

Ramanas R. (A Rose Selection Rugosa) - It is a long and persistent bloomer, and reaches the zenith of its beauty when the secondary flowers come with the glowing orange and red fruits that have succeeded the first flowers. Then a second crop of ripe fruit appears late in autumn, when the leaves turn yellow, showing the Rose in another pretty aspect. It makes a good hedge, and where pretty dividing lines are wanted, it is one of the best for the purpose. There are purple, pink, and white forms, this last being lovely, and quite the best single white Rose of the non-climbers.

Sweet Brier

Sweet Brier (A Rose Selection Rubiginosa) - It is a native Rose, but also distributed through much of Europe and Asia, and, although often planted, is scarcely ever made enough of in country places. It is most useful for forming fences with Quick or even by itself on good banks, as it is so spiny that cattle, which do so much harm to almost every other kind of hedge plant, do not touch this, so that it swings careless in the field where they are. The plant ought to be grown by the thousand, and anybody with a few bushes of it can save the seed for this purpose.

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