Chapter XII 

 Roses 



ROSA (Rose). The Rose is without question the most popu- 

 lar of flowers, and it can hardly be wondered at, as in the very 

 numerous species and varieties we have nearly every shade of color 

 in the flower — green, yellow, bronze, red, pink, white, purple and 

 almost black. The flowers, be they single, semi-double or double, 

 have much to please the eye, and their fragrance is unsurpassed. 

 The cultivated varieties are divided into classes. Some of the va- 

 rieties are differently arranged by different authorities. The ar- 

 rangements are intended as aids to the published descriptions; thus 

 the more easily do growers get an idea as to the habits of a new 

 Rose when the originators class it with a section of the better known 

 varieties. But the varieties of the several groups have, to a certain 

 extent, been crossed one with, another, and there are very few people, 

 even be they expert rosarians, who agree with each other on the 

 position which some of our Roses should occupy in any system of 

 classification. Again, as new breaks are made by the crossing of the 

 species and varieties, as has lately been done with the species R. 

 Wichuraiana and R. rubiginosa, there arises a necessity for new 

 class names. Some of the sections are but little grown in the 

 Northern States, as the plants which do best in the colder parts of 

 the country belong to only a few classes. 



Hybrid Perpetuals and Hybrid Teas. The following distinc- 

 tions can usually be made between the Hybrid Perpetual and Hy- 

 brid Tea Roses: 



Hybrid Perpetual — Name a misnomer for they are not per- 

 petually blooming. Hardy, will stand much cold. More double 

 flowers than most Hybrid Teas. Fatter buds. Flatter blooms. 

 Not tea scented. 



Hybrid Teas — Many varieties are very perpetual blooming. 

 Will stand cold only when protected. Less double than most Hy- 

 brid Perpetuals. Pointed buds. Much bronze color in stems and 

 foliage. Strongly tea scented. Lovelier colors than Hybrid Per- 

 petuals. 



