DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FLOWERING SHRUBS. sf 
The Rose has been a favorite flower from time imme- 
morial among the civilized nations of Europe and Asia. 
The Rose, in its wild state, is found in almost every coun- 
try in the temperate zones. We have a few species in 
New England, none of which have been taken in hand by 
the florist for improvement, but are suffered to remain in 
their wild state for the pleasure of the botanist. 
This well-known and highly esteemed genus, embraces 
many distinct species, which, by the skill of the florist, 
have multiplied into thousands of varieties. They vary in 
height from one to twelve or fifteen feet, producing flow- 
ers, single, semi-double and double, and generally of ex- 
quisite fragrance. The colors are pure white, white-tint- 
ed, shaded, striped, or mottled; every shade of red to 
purple, and all these shades and colors variously mixed ; 
also a few yellow varieties. There are no black Roses, 
although we sometimes hear of them. Such as are sold 
for Black Roses, are those of dark shades of purple or 
crimson. The foliage is also various in the different spe- 
cies or varieties, but of a general character. They differ 
also as to the appendages to the plant, some having form- 
idable thorns, while others are entirely destitute. Some 
flower only once'in the season — others are perpetual, or 
everblooming. Most are hardy, but many require protec- 
tion. It is a flower beloved by every one, not only in the 
present age, but has been in all ages past, and will, no 
doubt continue to be the most prominent and desirable 
flower as long as the world stands. It may, with propri- 
ety, be styled the Queen of Flowers. We have not space 
in this work to do justice to its merits, and must refer our 
readers, for the details of its culture, and for a mass of 
valuable and interesting particulars, to a work published 
by 8S. B. Parsons, Esq., of Flushing, N. Y., a volume of 
280 pages, octavo, upon the Rose, which we heartily com- 
mend to all the lovers of this universal favorite. Mr. Par- 
