ON GROUPING HOSES FOB THE FLOWER GAEDEN. 
ON GROUPING ROSES FOR THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
By Mr. JOHN SAUL, Durdham Do^^it Nursery, Bristol. 
THE season is fast approaoking when gardeners will once more have to decide what description of 
plants wiU give to the flower garden the greatest beauty, fi-agrance, variety, clearness, and contrast 
of colours, with coutmuity of bloom for the longest possible period of time ; and, not only are these qualities 
essential, but it is equally necessary to ascertain what class of flowers wiU give the greatest pleasui-e 
and satisfaction to the greatest number of persons. Were this last question proposed to me, I should 
answer, unhesitatingly, Roses. 
The Rose is no longer a summer flower, for we now have autumnal bloomers, surpassing, if possible, 
in coloui', beauty, and fragrance, oru' former favourites of June. Other classes of flowers, such as the 
Pelargonium, the Fuchsia, &c., have each its own admii-ers. On the other hand, there may be found 
those who will say of some plants, however beautiful, " I don't much care about this ; it is not a tribe I 
much fancy." But has this ever been said of the Rose ? I think not ; I have never yet heard of 
any person saying, " I don't admire Roses !" 
If Roses, then, ai'e such general favourites, how comes it that they have not received that extensive 
cultivation which they deserve ? for it must be admitted that in very few gardens they have received 
it. Is it because they are difiicult to cultivate ? Certainly not ; no flower requires more simple treat- 
ment. Perhaps it may be in part caused by the long catalogue of varieties from which both gardeners 
and amatem's are puzzled how to select. AVith this in view, I will proceed to mention a few really 
good flowers — some of them old sorts — which are adapted for grouping, and which, from theii' excel- 
lence, cannot fail to give satisfaction to those who may cultivate them. 
In the flower garden we formerly had annuals, grouped in abundance to adorn, or, rather, dis- 
figm-e it. These have given way of late to a more beautiful class of plants, which are annually bedded 
out, such as Scarlet Geraniums, Fuchsias, Calceolarias, Petmiias, &c. ; and, with as much propriety, 
may some of these make way for the grouping in the flower garden of the more beautiful of the 
Autmnnal Roses ; for what can sm'pass or even equal the dazzling beauty of a bed of Geant des 
Batailles, Grand Capitaine, &c. ; or the magnificence of clumps of Baronne Prevost, La Reine, and 
Souvenir de la Malmaison, &c. ; or the extreme beauty and delicacy of masses of Mrs. Bosanquet, Eliza 
Sauvage, &c. The following varieties are well sirited for this massing system of culture : — 
HYBRID PERPETUAL ROSES. 
1. Baronne Frewst. — Bright rose colour, a very large flower, strong, vigorous, free grower, blooming freely from 
June till November. Always opens its blooms well, whether in the heat of summer or the cold damp weather of 
November. "Well suited for a large clump. A most magnilicent Eose. 
2. Dr. Marx. — Eich carmine colom-, large flower, strong, robust grower, opening its flowers freely both in 
summer and autumn, "WUl make a splendid dark mass. A very beautiful Eosc. 
3. Duchess of Sutherland. — Mottled rose colour, bright and clear ; free, vigorous grower, wUl contrast with Dr. 
Marx, or Geant des BataiUes. A beautiful flower. 
4. Geuni des Batailles. — Dazzling crimson, the nearest approach to scarlet in this class ; very free grower, and 
one of the most abimdant bloomers, flowering from June to December, and invariably opening its blooms well. 
It wiU conti'ast woU with any of the bght flowers which follow. A bed of this under a bright sun is almost too 
brilliant for the eye to rest on. 
5. La Heine. — Brilliant glossy rose, very large, has the appearance of a true perpetual Cabbage, but much 
larger ; sti'ong robust grower, and free bloomer. This, like Baronne Prevost, forms a magnificent clump. A 
grand flower, well worthy of its name. 
6. Madame Laff ay. — Bright crimson, very fragrant ; free, vigorous grower, and an abundant bloomer fi'om the 
end of May till the middle of December. Expands its flowers weU, and never fails to give them in abundance. 
One of the most useful of Eoses, and admirable for a clump. 
7. Standard of Marengo, — BrUliant crimson ; wlQ, I doubt not, be equal to the Geant des BataiUes, but is as yet 
rather scarce. 
8. William Jesse. — Lilac crimson, a large and fine flower, strong gTower ; forms a splendid mass. 
BOURBON ROSES. 
9. Boquet de Flore. — Bright carmine; opens freely, and blooms profusely from Jime to November; a strong 
vigorous grower, and admirably adapted for a mass. A very fine and striking Eose. 
10. Comte d' Fa. — Brilliant carmine, very showy, and continues to bloom well thi-ough the summer and 
autumn ; a moderately strong grower. Forms a lovely bed. Distinct and very good. 
11. Fnfant d' Ajaceio. — Scarlet crimson, very bright; a moderately strong grower. Its only bad quaKty is, 
that it wiU not open well in hot summer weather, but in autumn it is ti-uly brilliant ; the rains of October appear 
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