Old Blush. — China. (1796.) Inspiration for the poet Moore’s immortal 
poem, “The Last Rose of Summer.” We call immediately on Mrs. Keays—whose 
description is not only charmingly written, but is a fair and accurate judgment— 
“Rising from the base in strong, upright stalks, each stalk branching into side 
shoots, with clusters of bloom at the ends and side shoots, Old Blush China is a 
rose to reckon with, for no other rose, old or modern, unless it be Old Blush’s 
child, the early type Noisette, blooms in more abandoned freedom, taking only a 
short rest between bursts of bloom. Each rose in the cluster is a fluttering loose 
assemblage of pink petals, deeper in the outer petals, whiter at the base, varying in 
depth of pinkness. Not fully double, with large petals, fine and lasting, the impres- 
sion is one of airiness and gaiety ... Old Blush is a rose to visit often, for being 
of a true evereblooming habit it goes on its gay way all summer and until cut by 
frost. The fragrance has a sweetness dashed with a sort of acid or astringent counter- 
scent, very different from other sweet scents, not strong but stimulating and refresh- 
ing—difficult to convey in words.” . 2.00 
Old Spanish Rose.  Gallica. (Original name unknown.) This big shrub 
rose was discovered by the Lesters on one of their journeys through the Mother Lode 
Country—where it was known only as the “Old Spanish Rose,” and no amount of 
research since has discovered a more accurate name for it. From early to late spring, 
it is covered with two inch double blooms, similar in form to the Provence Roses, 
starting from deep, rich magenta, which progresses to dark violet in the open flower. 
For best effect it must be helped in “‘shedding its dead” otherwise the beauty of the 
opening buds is marred by the older blooms, which are much too persistent in their 
desire to remain. Thrives on neglect with us and should be hardy anywhere. 2.00 
Ophelia. H. Tea. (1912.) This is a very famous parent rose, 28 of her 
children having been judged worthy of commercial propogation, although we sus- 
pect grandmother, herself, is still the best of the lot, (unless it be Mme. Butterfly, 
previously described.) We like Ophelia for the rare delicacy of its flesh-pink color- 
ing, its satiny sheen, and handsome form. Steady, dependable bloomer; good plant. 
Both bush and climbing types available. 1.50 
Papa Gontier. Tea. (1882.) A large, husky plant—long a famous green- 
house rose. The two toned, rose-pink blooms are not too well supported on weak 
stems, and the open flower ages badly, in the garden, although the buds perform 
nicely indoors. Tea fragrance, steady bloomer. Many an old memory is associated 
with Papa Gontier, and many will want it for a long time yet, even though much 
better roses are available, both old and new. We shall continue growing a limited 
quantity each season. 1.75 
Paul Neyron. H. Perpetual. (1869.) A lusty, robust grower to four or 
five feet, with heavy spring bloom, continuing with us. We like Mrs. Keay’s 
description which follows—‘Paul Neyron, 1869, raised from Anna de Diesbach and 
Victor Verdier, is an achievement. Wood is almost smooth, almost without prickles; 
foliage very large, smooth, tough and wavy. The bloom is enormous, deeply cupped, 
reflexing its outer petals, opening into a ruffling semi-globe of deep rose-pink 
with a dash of lilac, much like LaReine but, point to point, bigger and more hand- 
somely furnished, with a calyx even more tri-angular in outline. Paul Neyron chooses 
to live long in old gardens and is likely to be met with almost anywhere. When you 
see the biggest rose you ever saw in an old garden, most likely it is Paul Neyron.” 1.75 
¥21 
