OLD-FASHIONED ROSES 



The Cabbage or Provence Rose 



THE Provence Rose, Rosa Centifolia, is supposed to have 

 been introduced into England at the end of the sixteenth 

 century, and is described by Parkinson as much re- 

 sembling what he called the " great double damaske 

 Province or Holland rose," " the difference being not 

 so very great ; the stemme or stocke and the branches 

 also in this seeming not so great but greener, the barke 

 not being so red; the leaves of the same largenesse 

 with the former damaske Province rose. The flowers 

 are not altogether so large, thicke and double, and of a 

 little deeper damaske or blushe colour, turning to a red 

 rose, but not coming neare the full colour of the best 

 red rose, of a sent not so sweete as the damaske 

 Province, but comming somewhat neere the sent of the 

 ordinary red rose, yet exceeding it. This rose is not 

 so plentifull in bearing as the damaske Province." But 

 anyone who can express dissatisfaction with the fragrance 

 of the old Provence Rose must be very difficult to 

 please. This is the Rose par excellence of old English 

 cottage gardens, and even now, with all our hybrid 

 Perpetuals and Teas, it should, wherever there is space, 

 be grown for its scent, its colour and its associations. 

 Like most of the old-fashioned Summer-flowering Roses 

 it needs a deep rich soil. It is best grown on its own 

 roots and it should be severely pruned. Every shoot 

 should be shortened to three or four buds. 



Of the miniature or Pompon Provence Roses the 



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