82 THE BANKSIAN ROSE. 



a very fine pillar rose ; its clusters of large, deep 

 purple and crimson flowers are inclined to be 

 pendulous, consequently they have a fine effect 

 when on a tall pillar, and, as a pendulous standard, 

 it is quite unrivalled. Gracilis is a hybrid of the 

 most vigorous growth in good soils, often making 

 shoots ten to twelve feet long in one season ; un- 

 like the other varieties of this division, its shoots 

 are covered with thorns. Nothing can be more 

 graceful than the luxuriant foliage of this plant ; 

 it has also finely-cupped flowers, of the most vivid 

 rose colour, and must be reckoned a beautiful 

 and desirable rose. Inermis, or Boursault Pleine, 

 is a pretty variety, with flowers of a bright red, 

 and a fine and luxuriant grower. The Red Bour- 

 sault is our oldest variety, and though only semi- 

 double, it is distinct, pretty, and still a rose worth 

 cultivating. These roses require but little 

 pruning to be grown as pillars ; the crowded spray 

 should be cut out, the long shoots shortened to 

 the height required. As standards the same 

 treatment may be pursued ; but if the long shoots 

 are left their full length the tree will be more 

 graceful. 



