§ty The Scented Qarden (jj£ 



There was formerly a versicolour Provence rose (R. 

 centifolia versicolor). This rose was introduced in 1823, 

 and was known in France as Le Petit Sultan. Amongst 

 other varieties of R. centifolia we have apparently lost 

 are R. centifolia purpurea, whose petals were dark purple 

 on the upper surface and light purple underneath. We 

 have lost too the Bland ford rose (R. parviflora provin- 

 cialis), introduced in 1791 by Kingston, a nurseryman of 

 Blandford near Dorset. It had * everything in common 

 with the Provence rose, with a specifically distinct 

 small flower (whence our name) which, contrasted with 

 the largeness of its leaves, gives a singularity to its appear- 

 ance. In its blossom it approaches nearest to the Roses 

 of Burgundy and de Meaux, in shape like the former but 

 in colour more resembling the latter, but no affinity 

 whatever to the leaves of either.' 1 Still more regrettable is 

 the loss of the Tuscan rose (R. centifolia varietatis sub- 

 nigrae). Andrews describes it as ' most esteemed for its 

 rich and deep colour ; it may well compare with the 

 finest velvet. The small particle of white on the edge of 

 some of the petals, instead of blemishes, may be regarded 

 as an enlivening contrast.' The knobbly leaved Provence 

 rose (R. provincialis bullatd) is an even greater loss. Its 

 curious foliage had an attraction of its own and the rose 

 had the same glorious scent as the cabbage rose. Redoute 

 figures a beautiful specimen of this rose. 



We still have a few of the Moss Roses — the Common 

 Moss ; the Bath White ; the Crested Moss (formerly 

 known in France as Chapeau de Napoleon), etc. — but 

 how few they are compared to those (about seventy at 

 least) which we have lost. The history of the moss rose 



1 H. C. Andrews. Roses. 1827. 

 112 



