78 



ROSA MICROPHYLLA, ETC. 



freely ; still it makes a lovely pillar rose with large 

 clusters of bright crimson shaded flowers. 

 Triumphant, bright cherry red^ very distinct and perfectly 

 double. 



ROSA MICROPHYLLA (OR SMALL-LEAVED ROSE). 



This pretty little rose was originally from China^ and 

 since it has been introduced, several additions have been 

 made by cultivation ^ although we have not yet seen any to 

 excel the original Rose microphylla. They delight in light 

 rich dry soils, and form very fine bushes for grass plats or 

 small lawns, and generally flower the whole summer, produc- 

 ing their blooms from short young shoots produced from the 

 wood of two or three years' growth. The plants should all 

 have a little protection the first winter after planting, and in 

 pruning the shoots should only be thinned out, or any dead 

 piece cut ofi" ; we have had several roses under very enticing 

 names added to this group, such as striped micropliyllay c7'W}r' 

 ,son microphylla J scarlet microphylla^ all deceptive; and even 

 the first plant that came out as double white proved to be 

 entirely single; but there is now a genuine double white, 

 though not properly a microphylla. The following few are 

 all we have seen worth cultivating :— 



Microphylla. This rose is unique in every character. The 

 foliage is very small and neat, and the calyx thick 

 and bristly. The flowers are produced at the extremity 

 of the young shoots in twos or threes, according to 

 the strength of the plant ; they are large and double; 

 the exterior petals large and full ; those of the inte- 

 rior are very short and thick-set; the color in the 

 centre is dark, shading lighter toward the exterior ; 

 - the spines are in pairs on each side of the compound 

 leaves. It is perfectly hardy,' and greatly esteemed, 

 , ^ and not so subject to be attacked by insects as other 

 roses. 



rubra, dark red, having every character of the 



preceding. They are frequently called The Burr 

 Hose,'' from the appearance of the bud. 



violace, reddish violet ; in habit very similar to 



