MOSS ROSES 105 



three or four buds of the base, but in succeeding years 

 leave them about twelve inches long. Old shoots need 

 to be cut out, for the best blooms are produced by growths 

 of the previous summer. 



Moss roses make good low hedges. Some varieties 

 develop into fairly tall hedges, and all make excellent 

 standards, a form in which they appear to great advan- 

 tage. Some kinds will grow into big bushes, and perhaps 

 there is no lovelier sight in June than a bush of Comtesse 

 de Murinais, with its delicate blush-white blossoms. 



Caterpillars and aphis seem especially fond of Moss 

 roses, and an early search should be made for these 

 pests. 



Moss roses are charming also when grown in pots. 

 They are potted in autumn, and given treatment similar 

 to that advised in another chapter for roses in pots. It is 

 best to use comparatively small pots, say those six inches 

 wide, for the best results follow when the roots are 

 restricted. 



These roses are most conveniently increased by layer- 

 ing. If a plant is purchased, say, of the variety Gracilis 

 (which is like the common Pink, but of stronger growth 

 and more abundant flowering), put out in the garden, 

 and hard pruned in March, the resulting growths may 

 be layered in July. It would, however, be better to 

 wait until the following year before layering. Even if 

 fresh plants are not needed, the practice of layering 

 has much to commend it, for if the growths are left 

 undisturbed, a big plant is soon formed. 



The so-called Perpetual Moss roses are very dis- 



