242 The Rose Garden. 



4. WHITE BURGUNDY ; flowers white, their centres pink ; very small and very 

 double ; form cupped ; growth dwarf. 



Rosa Centifolia. 



GROUP VII. THE MOSS ROSE. 



The History of the Moss Rose is wrapped in obscurity. It was first introduced 

 to England from Holland in 1596, and it is generally believed that it was a sport 

 from the Provence Rose ; that it was not originated by seed, as most new varieties 

 are, but by a branch of the Provence Rose sporting, as it is termed that is, produc- 

 ing flowers differing in character and habit from others of its own nature flowers 

 enveloped in moss. Some groups of Roses are more disposed to sport than others ; 

 and the Provence and Moss Roses possess this peculiar property in a remarkable 

 degree. I have seen the White Moss bearing at the same time, and on the same 

 plant, red, white, and variegated flowers. I have also seen the Perpetual White 

 Moss, whose flowers should be white, produce pink flowers entirely destitute of moss. 

 I am informed, and think it probable, that the Moss Unique was first obtained in 

 this manner : a branch of the White Provence Rose produced flowers enveloped in 

 moss ; the branch was propagated from ; and the plants so propagated produced 

 flowers retaining their mossy characteristic. 



Like many others, the group now before us has been much improved of late 

 years ; many of the old varieties, formerly so much esteemed, though possessed of 

 but few petals, and almost destitute of form and fragrance, are now quietly departing 

 to give place to more perfect kinds. A remarkable illustration of the effects of 

 hybridising is met with here. There have been introduced within the last few years 

 some Moss Roses of the most vigorous growth, with shining foliage, and others 

 bearing flowers in the Autumn. The former have been produced by crossing the 

 Moss with the Hybrid Chinese Roses, or vice versa ; the latter by bringing together 

 the Moss and Perpetual. (See " Hybridising," Chapter VIII.) 



The Perpetual Moss we refer to a separate group (Class II., Group XXV., 

 Autumnal Roses) ; the others we retain here. Besides these, there are varieties 

 possessing some of the characters of the French Rose ; such as Gloire des Mousseuses. 



Moss Roses require high cultivation ; some are of delicate growth, and will only 

 flourish in a kindly soil ; others are very hardy, but all, whether hardy or delicate, 

 delight in a rich soil. But few of the Moss Roses are well adapted for Standards ; 

 it is true that many will exist as such, but they merely suffer existence, they cannot 

 be said to flourish. They should be grown either on their own roots or budded on 

 short stems (the latter is preferable in most cases), and should be closely pruned. 



