The Damask Rose. 237 



Rosa Damascena. 



GROUP IV. THE DAMASK ROSE. 



Formerly all dark Roses were termed Damask, probably from the first dark 

 varieties having borne this name. But there are now dark Roses belonging to 

 almost every group ; and there are Damask Roses of various colours ; some are 

 white. The Damask are readily distinguished from others by a robustness of 

 growth, in conjunction with rough spinous shoots, and downy coriaceous leaves 

 of a light green colour. Owing to this latter feature they present a striking con- 

 trast when introduced among other groups. The flowers are mostly of fair size ; 

 some are large, and all are showy. 



The Damask Rose is allowed to be of great antiquity. Some suppose it to be of 

 this Virgil speaks in the Georgics and elsewhere. It is generally believed that it was 

 first introduced from Syria, and brought to England in 1573. But Johnson, in "The 

 History of Gardening," says, "The learned Linacre, who died in 1524, first introduced 

 the Damask Rose from Italy." Who will fight the battle ? We must not pause to 

 do so. Wherever the truth may lie, it is evident that this Rose has been cultivated in 

 England for a great length of time ; and it affords a striking example of the treasures 

 Nature's plants are capable of yielding beneath the hand of the industrious cultivator ; 

 of the power given unto man to improve by his labour the races of the vegetable 

 world. For two hundred years this Rose underwent but little change ; but modern 

 Rose-growers have improved and varied it to such a degree, producing through it, 

 first, Damask Perpetual, then Hybrid Perpetual, that the favourites of so long 

 standing are threatened with oblivion. 



The Damask Roses are very hardy, thriving well either as standards or dwarfs. 

 They do not form compact-headed trees, but their growth is graceful ; rather more 

 rambling than that of the French Roses. They flower abundantly ; in some instances 

 the flowers rest among the leaves and branches which surround them ; in others they 

 are elevated above. It is chiefly from the petals of this species, in common with those 

 of the Provence (R. CENTIFOLIA), that Rose-water is distilled. Acres of Roses are 

 grown in some parts of the world expressly for the purpose. 



1. COMMANDANT BEAUREPAIRE; flowers bright rose, striped with purple and 

 white. 



2. LA VlLLE DE BRUXELLES ; flowers light vivid rose, the colour gradually 

 receding from their centres, leaving the edges of a rosy blush ; large and full ; form 

 expanded ; habit branching ; growth vigorous. 



3. LEDA {Painted Damask} ; flowers blush, tinged with flesh, the petals often 



