The Banksian Rose. 265 



sweet, was introduced from China in 1807, and about twenty years later our gardens 

 were enriched by the arrival of the yellow one. 



In "La Rose, &c., par Dr Deslongchamps," we find mention of a remarkable 

 White Banksian Rose growing in the Jardin de la Marine, at Toulon. If still in 

 existence, it is now about ninety years old. In 1842 the trunk was 2 feet 4 inches in 

 circumference at its base. It divided into six branches at a little distance from the 

 ground, the thickest of which was 12 inches in girth. Its branches covered a wall 75 

 feet broad, and 15 to 1 8 feet high ; and were there greater space it could be covered, 

 for the tree is subjected to severe pruning every alternate year to keep it within bounds; 

 and the more it is pruned the faster does it seem to grow, often producing shoots 1 5 

 feet long in a year, and as thick as the thumb. The flowers are produced from the 

 middle of April to the middle of May, and at the time that it is in full blossom it is 

 calculated that there cannot be less than from 50,000 to 60,000 flowers on the tree. 

 The effect is described as magnificent, almost magical. 



In the same work is mentioned a plant of the same variety, growing at Caserta, 

 in the Kingdom of Naples, the branches of which had climbed to the top of a large 

 poplar tree 60 feet high. The poplar was dead, killed probably by the embrace of its 

 insidious friend, whose branches almost exclude it from view, presenting at the epoch 

 of flowering a most lovely spectacle. 



There was growing at Goodrent, Reading, the seat of Sir Jasper Nicholls, Bart., 

 some fifty years since, a Yellow Banksian Rose, planted out in the conservatory 

 border. It produced one year above 2000 trusses of flowers, and there were from 

 six to nine expanded Roses on each truss. It was trained up to a horizontal wire, 

 fixed about three feet from the glass. There was a plant of the White variety in the 

 same house, but with very few flowers on it. 



The Banksian Roses are of very rapid growth, but they are not hardy, and can 

 only be grown successfully out of doors against a wall ; and if a dry warm border 

 can also be secured for them it is all the better. They should be pruned in Summer, 

 immediately after they have flowered ; the gross shoots, if any, should be cut out and 

 the plants well thinned, merely tipping the shoots that are left ; these will then form 

 new wood, which, cut back to three or four eyes in Spring, will throw an abundance 

 of flowers. There have arisen lately several new varieties, but they bloom indiffer- 

 ently in our climate, and we cannot say much in their favour. Unfortunately, these 

 elegant Roses do not thrive well out of doors in the atmosphere of the metropolis. 



1. ALBA GRANDIFLORA ; flowers white. 



2. FORTUNEANA ; flowers white, large, full, and very sweet; supposed to be a 

 hybrid between the Banksian and Rosa Icevigata. 



3. FORTUNE'S YELLOW ; flowers yellowish orange, large and semi-double, a good 

 wall Rose. Probably a hybrid between some variety of R. Banksian and the " Yellow 

 China." (See Group 38, section 11). 



