AMONGST THE ROSES 55 



or monthly rose, the tea-scented, and some other 

 groups, to Rosa indica. Probably the tea rose 

 originated from the China or monthly rose, and 

 no doubt the wild forms of Bosa indica were grow- 

 ing in China years before the actual introduction 

 of the blush and yellow forms. It is difficult to 

 define exactly the true tea rose, owing to the 

 raising of a host of hybrids which closely approach 

 its standard, but the distinguishing characteristics 

 are slenderness of growth, as opposed to the solidity 

 of the hybrid perpetual ; the thorns or prickles 

 are mostly reddish in colour, and almost trans- 

 parent, and the wood itself when the plant is in 

 full growth appears covered with bloom that gives 

 to the grape a subtle beauty. The young leaves 

 and wood generally are shining ruby-red in colour, 

 almost transparent, and there always appears to be 

 a never-ceasing attempt on the plant's part to 

 emit new growths from the older wood, a restless 

 activity which is to be seen amongst the China 

 or monthly roses, and the pretty little dwarf 

 polyanthas. 



Another attribute of the tea rose is its flow of 

 flowers, which in climates that are suitable to a 

 winter flood of blossom never ceases from January 

 to December. Under a tropical sun the plants 



