3 1 
ROSA CHINENSIS, var. MINIMA Rehder 
THE FAIRY ROSE 
Rosa chinensis , var. minima: a typo partibus omnibus multo minoribus recedit. 
R. chinensis , var. minima Rehder in Bailey, Cycl. Am. Hort. vol. iv. p. 1 55 1 
(1902). 
R. semperflorens minima Sims in Bot . Mag. vol. xlii. t. 1762 (1815). 
R. Lawranceana Sweet, Hort. Suburb. Loud. p. 119 (1818). — Lindley, Ros. 
Monogr. p. no (1820); Bot. Reg. vol. vii. t. 538 (1821). — Ddsdglise in Butt. Soc. 
Bot. Betg. vol. xv. p. 229 (Cat. Rais. Ros. p. 60 [1877]) (1876). 
R. indica pumita Thory in Redout e, Roses, vol. i. p. 1 15, t. (1817); vol. ii. p. 25, 
t. (1821). 
R. indica , var. humilis Seringe in De Candolle, Prodr. vol. iL p. 600 (1825). 
The first drawing of this charming little Rose appears in the 
Botanical Magazine of 1815, where it is called “ Rosa semperflorens 
minima, Miss Lawrance’s Rose.” Mr. Hudson of the War Office 
sent the flower from which the drawing was made. The next plate 
is that in the Bota 7 iical Register of 1821 under the name of Rosa 
Lawranceana. Redoutd’s drawing was made about the same time. 
Redoutd also gives a drawing of a dwarf double-flowered Rose, Rosa 
indica , var. pumila , which gives the idea of a stronger-growing Rose, 
but it is evidently intended for the double form of Miss Lawrance’s 
Rose because it came from Colville’s Nursery at Chelsea, where this 
Rose is known to have been growing. 
Although not such a favourite as formerly, the double form and 
its varieties are often to be seen, and may readily be known by their 
diminutive size. It is in fact a China Rose much dwarfed in all its 
parts, probably by the art of some Chinese or Japanese cultivator. 
The flowers are about an inch in diameter, and the ovate leaflets under 
half an inch long. In general appearance it much resembles a diminu- 
tive Pompon de Mai of the Parisian markets. It is often known as 
the Fairy Rose, a name which well describes it. Although of easy 
cultivation it requires attention to ensure its full beauty. Grown from 
cuttings it thrives and flowers in an incredibly short space of time, 
indeed it will often flower within a month of the cuttings having taken 
