^ The Scented (garden ^ 



Perpetuals were at their zenith, but now few of them 

 are grown. Ulrich Brunner and Mrs. John Laing (intro- 

 duced 1885), both of which rejoice in heavy soils, still 

 hold their own. Ulrich Brunner's lovely cherry-red colour, 

 large perfect flowers, and great fragrance, combined with 

 being mildew proof, ensure continued popularity. The 

 Hybrid Tea, Dame Edith Helen (introduced 1926), will, 

 it is said, supplant Mrs. John Laing, for the former has 

 the true old-rose scent, her rich pink colour is very 

 beautiful, she is of vigorous growth, with dark green 

 leathery foliage, and free of mildew. But, personally, I 

 prefer Mrs. John Laing, for I love her globular shape, 

 whereas Dame Edith Helen has the high-pointed centre, 

 of which I am not an admirer. Dame Edith Helen is 

 sometimes described as being nearly the perfect rose. 

 Yet she does not look well blended with other roses. 

 Incidentally, how curious it is that few modern roses 

 look well when associated with others, even of their own 

 kind, whereas a large bowl containing as many as half a 

 dozen of the old roses is a picture of satisfying, refreshing 

 beauty. In my room there is a great bowl nearly two feet 

 across of blush Gallicas, Red Damask, Cottage Maid, Rosa 

 Mundi, Moss roses, the Carnation rose, Musk roses and 

 Oeillet Parfait, utterly happy in each other's company, 

 and glowing with the soft, beautiful colours one never 

 sees in the modern roses. 



The China tea-scented rose was first sent to this 

 country late in the eighteenth century. R. gigantea is 

 said to be the original of the tea rose. This rose, with its 

 5-inch wide flowers and glorious scent, is a treasure which 

 presumably everyone would like to grow, but though 

 first discovered as long ago as 1882, it has never yet been 

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