Part 1

ROSES:

OR

A MONOGRAPH

OF

THE GENUS ROSA:

CONTAINING

_COLOURED FIGURES_

OF

ALL THE KNOWN SPECIES AND BEAUTIFUL VARIETIES

DRAWN, ENGRAVED, DESCRIBED, AND COLOURED,

from the Living Plants.

_By H. C. ANDREWS_, AUTHOR OF THE BOTANIST’S REPOSITORY, COLOURED ENGRAVINGS OF HEATHS, ETC.

Hail, lovely ROSE, of flowers the blushing queen! Burst, burst, ye numerous Nondescripts, with spleen! Ye wondrous Nothings, from a foreign soil Brought with such labour, care, and anxious toil,-- Say, can your utmost charms, combined, disclose Beauty and fragrance equal to the ROSE?

London: PRINTED BY R. TAYLOR AND CO., 38, SHOE LANE; AND PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR, 5, KNIGHTSBRIDGE.

INTRODUCTION.

The Rose, for matchless beauty famed, (although by botanists so disregarded) has been the Painter’s study and the Poet’s theme, for ages past, and will no doubt for ages yet to come; long after many a curious Nondescript shall in a dusty hortus siccus sleep, unnoticed and unknown.

The intention of the author in the delineation of this unrivalled tribe, is to arrange as accurately as possible the numerous beautiful varieties, with their species--an arduous task, considering the neglect they have experienced, and the wild and indiscriminate manner in which they have been profusely mixed. This, aided by an heterogeneous mode of culture, has produced many varieties, the lineal descent of which is very difficult to ascertain.

The extent of the genus has been most vaguely estimated; by some enumerated at two hundred and forty; an estimate that must certainly include many very slight varieties, which, if allowed, might swell the genus to ten times its real extent. But we think a rational computation would confine them within a hundred, including every distinct variety. The author’s intention is to figure only those to which a separate character can be affixed, regarding a superfluous repetition, even of beauty, inadmissible. As the merits of the present undertaking may easily be appreciated by a free access to all its beautiful originals, the author hopes a candid allowance will be made, upon a comparison with the living plant, when it is considered that the most elaborate efforts of art have never yet been able to do justice to its superior beauty.

ROSA muscosa, _Provincialis_.

_Moss Province Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

ROSA, germinibus ovatis; calycibus et pedunculis muscosis; petiolis ramulisque hispidis et glanduloso-viscosis; spinis ramorum numerosis, rectis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

ROSE, with egg-shaped seed-buds; empalements and peduncles mossy; petioles and younger branches hispid, and glandulously viscous; spines of the branches numerous, and straight.

The origin of this beautiful Rose, has ever been considered as enveloped in obscurity; but we have no hesitation in assigning it to the Province, to which it assimilates in every particular,--with the addition of a rich luxuriant moss, that gives it a decided superiority, and at the same time a specific distinction. In proof of our opinion, we have recently seen both the Moss and Province Rose at one time, in high perfection, on the same plant; and to remove all doubt, the plant was dug up, to show that it was but one individual root. We have since seen three more plants of the same description. Two of them had been propagated by layers from the mossy shoots. The major part of them returned to their origin, the Province. In the examination of a number of Moss Roses, we have perceived a considerable difference in the quantity of moss attached to them,--in many instances so slight, as evidently to proclaim their original. There can be little if any doubt, that this beautiful variety is the spontaneous effusion of Nature in this country, of which we shall ever regard it as indigenous, since we have never heard of any importations of this species, but of frequent exportations. The most luxuriant specimens of this plant are the dwarf growth in the open ground, from which our figure was taken.

ROSA muscosa, _alba_.

_White Moss Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

ROSA, germinibus ovatis; calycibus, pedunculis, et petiolis glanduloso-viscosis; foliolis ovatis, subtus villosis, ad margines glandulis viscosis; spinis ramorum numerosis, rectis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

ROSE, with egg-shaped seed-buds; empalement, peduncles, and petioles, glandulously viscous; leaflets of an oval shape, villose beneath, with small viscous glands on their edges; spines of the branches numerous, and straight.

To the industry of Mr. Shailler, Nurseryman, of Little Chelsea, we are indebted for this delicate new Moss Rose; an acknowledged production between the Moss and White Province, or Rose Unique, and which is certainly a valuable addition to this lovely tribe. It evidently bears the compound characters of both plants, with a foliage very distinct from either of them; yet it cannot be deemed perfectly a white flower, since a delicate pale blush pervades the centre of the blossom: this, however, we regard as no diminution of its beauty, and probably not a permanent character, but owing to a tender habit, which time and culture may remove, when it becomes more abundant.

At present it is a very scarce Rose, and requires a sheltered situation. The soil in which most Roses thrive best is a light, sandy soil. Some grow very luxuriant in a stony or gravelly situation. This succeeds better with a considerable portion of rich bog earth.

ROSA muscosa, _variegata_.

_Striped Moss Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

ROSA, germinibus ovatis; calycibus, pedunculis, et petiolis glanduloso-viscosis; foliolis ovatis, subtus villosis, marginibus glandulosis; spinis ramorum sparsis, rectis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

ROSE, with egg-shaped seed-buds; empalements, peduncles, and petioles glandulously viscous; leaflets egg-shaped, softly haired beneath, with glandular margins; spines of the branches scattered, and straight.

* * * * *

This charming Striped Variety is another acquisition to the Mossy tribe, and, we think, of equal value with the White; and though very distinct in its character from that plant, it yet betrays a powerful affinity in many particulars, so as to leave but little doubt of its origin being nearly the same. In flower it approaches nearest to the York and Lancaster Rose, which in size and colour it much resembles.

This is likewise the production of Mr. Shailler, who propagated it at the same time as the White variety, and is equally scarce; principally owing to its being treated with too little care before it was sufficiently established. We have no doubt, however, that in time it will be equally as hardy as any other.

ROSA Provincialis.

_Province Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

ROSA, germinibus subrotundis; pedunculis petiolisque hispidis et glandulosis; aculeis ramorum sparsis, rectis, sub-reflexis; foliolis ovatis, subtus villosis; serratulis glandulosis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

ROSE, with roundish seed-buds; peduncles and petioles hispid and glandular. The prickles of the branches are scattered, straight, and slightly bent back. The leaflets are villous beneath, with glandulose serratures.

* * * * *

The species of Rose denominated Province, a native of Spain and Italy, is by far the most extended. The varieties are so numerous, that they apparently comprise one third of the genus. Our present figure represents the Single Province, a very scarce rose; and as the incipient ground of so many beautiful varieties, we regard it as peculiarly valuable. It is a singular circumstance, that from Spain and Italy, where the Province is supposed to be indigenous, and thence imported to us, we should never have heard of the Single Province, much less received the plant; which we can in no way account for, unless the superior beauty of the Common Province, joined to its great abundance, may have rendered the idea of importing those with single flowers superfluous.

Our figure was taken from the only plant we have ever seen, at the nursery of Mr. Shailer, of Little Chelsea.

ROSA Provincialis, _alba_.

_White Province, or Rose Unique._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

ROSA, germinibus subrotundis; pedunculis petiolisque hispidis et glandulosis; caule et ramis aculeatis, sparsis, rectis, sub-reflexis; foliolis ovatis, subtus villosis, marginibus glandulosis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

ROSE, with seed-buds nearly round; peduncles and petioles hispid and glandular: the stem and branches are prickly, scattered, straight, and slightly bent back: the leaflets are villous beneath, with slightly glandular margins.

* * * * *

Among the recent additions to this genus, the White Province, or Rose Unique, is indisputably the most valuable. Its introduction in 1777 was entirely accidental, through the medium of the late Mr. Grimwood, nurseryman, a great admirer and collector of roses, who, in an excursion which he usually made every summer, in passing the front garden of Mr. Richmond, a baker near Needham in Suffolk, there perceived the present charming plant, where it had been placed by a carpenter who found it near a hedge on the contiguous premises of a Dutch merchant, whose old mansion he was repairing. Mr. Grimwood, requesting a little cutting of it, received from Mr. Richmond the whole plant; when Mr. G., in return for a plant so valuable, presented him with an elegant silver cup with the Rose engraved upon it; and which in commemoration has furnished food for many a convivial hour. It is of a dwarf growth, and remains in flower near six weeks longer than the other Province Roses; which renders it still the more estimable. We wish it had been in our power to have accounted for its having been till so lately a stranger to us, and whence indigenous; but at present our information is entirely confined to the knowledge of its casual introduction; and until some further light is thrown upon the subject, to elucidate its genealogy, we shall regard it as a native.

Our drawing was taken from a plant in the nursery of Messrs. Colville, King’s Road.

ROSA parviflora, _Provincialis_.

_Small-flowered Province or Blandford Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa parviflora, germinibus sub-globosis; pedunculis glandulosis; caule et petiolis aculeatis; aculeis ramorum sparsis, rectis, sub-reflexis; foliolis ovatis, subtus villosis, marginibus glandulosis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

ROSE, with small flowers, and nearly round seed-buds: the footstalks are glandular; the stem and petioles prickly; the spines of the branches are scattered, straight, and slightly reflexed; the leaflets egg-shaped, villous or hairy beneath, with glandular margins.

* * * * *

The Kingston, or Blandford Rose as it is most generally called, was introduced by Mr. Kingston, nurseryman at Blandford near Dorset, in the year 1791. In its character it has every thing in common with the Province Rose, with a specifically distinct small flower (whence our name); which contrasted with the largeness of its leaves, gives a singularity to its appearance. In its blossom it approaches nearest to the Roses of Burgundy and de Meaux; in shape like the former, but in colour more resembling the latter: but no affinity whatever to the leaves of either. It is certainly a very desirable Rose, as the number of those with very small flowers is very circumscribed, and therefore renders every addition particularly valuable. Like most of the Roses, it continues to bloom during the months of June, July, and August, and makes a handsome bushy appearance.

Our drawing was made from a fine plant in the nursery of Messrs. Whitley and Brames, Old Brompton.

ROSA Eglanteria, _Var. flore pleno._

_Double Sweet Briar or Eglantine Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

ROSA, foliis odoratis; germinibus ovatis, pedunculisque hispidis; caule et petiolis aculeatis; aculeis magnis, recurvis; foliolis ovatis, subtus rubiginosis, glanduloso-pilosis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

ROSE, with sweet-scented leaves and egg-shaped seed-buds; peduncles hispid; stem and petioles prickly; prickles large and recurved; the leaflets are ovate, rusty beneath, and glandulosely hairy.

* * * * *

This fine semi-double variety of the Sweet Briar is an acquisition highly esteemed; and so we think will be every addition to this charming species, whose leaves diffuse such aromatic fragrance. In its semi-double flowers only, it is particularly distinct from the Single, and certainly makes a much handsomer appearance. Its flowers are gracefully crowded together, but rarely more than two flowers expand at one time; but the succession of buds approaching maturity gives it a very picturesque appearance. We observed but a slight proportion of the rusty character so powerfully attached to the wild species. Its fruit, when ripening, acquires a beautiful orange red, which is an addition to the plant when out of bloom. There is a paler-coloured variety of this plant, of stouter growth, but which we have not as yet examined with sufficient accuracy, to ascertain whether it is distinct enough to require a separate figure.

Our drawing was made from a fine plant in the nursery of Messrs. Loddige, Hackney.

ROSA Gallica, _officinalis_.

_Officinal or French Red Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

ROSA, germinibus globosis; floribus magnis, rubris, stypticis, pedunculisque hispidis; caule petiolisque hispido-aculeatis; foliolis sub-ovatis, subtus villosis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

ROSE, with globular seed-buds; the flowers are large, red, and astringent; peduncles hispid; the stem and petioles hispidly prickly; the leaflets are nearly egg-shaped, and villous beneath.

* * * * *

This large grand Rose is both useful as well as ornamental. The flowers are used in medicine (whence its term _officinal_) in preference to many other restoratives. By the Arabian physicians they were in great estimation for their mild astringent and corroborant virtues, most particularly in phthisical cases. The flowers cannot be too quickly dried, as slowly drying of them impairs both their colour and quality. They are prepared as a conserve, by an infusion of honey. The bloom is but of short duration, but the succession is rapid. It is of a semi-double character, and of a fine red colour; from three to four feet high, and very bushy. It is in great perfection during the months of June, July, and August, and is extremely beautiful. Its foliage is rather rough and coarse, and when out of bloom in the autumn it is very subject to mildew.

Our drawing was made from the nursery of Messrs. Whitley and Brames, Old Brompton.

ROSA Provincialis, _multiplex_.

_Double or Cabbage Province Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

ROSA, multiplex, germinibus sub-globosis; pedunculis petiolisque hispidis et glandulosis; aculeis ramorum sparsis, rectis, sub-reflexis; foliolis ovatis, subtus villosis, marginibus glandulosis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

ROSE, with many folds, and nearly round seed-buds; the peduncles and petioles are hispid and glandular; the prickles of the branches are scattered, straight, and slightly reflexed; leaflets egg-shaped, villous beneath, with glandular margins.

* * * * *

This variety of the Common Province is the most fragrant of all the Roses, and therefore particularly desirable; for, although it cannot be ranked among the rare, it is nevertheless one of the most beautiful. Its sweetness, joined to the abundance of its blossoms, has rendered it an object of culture, for the purpose of distillation; as it yields a much greater quantity of scented water than any other rose. It is generally denominated the Cabbage Province, from the extreme complexity of its petals, which sometimes adhere so closely together, as to prevent entirely their expansion without bursting:--a circumstance that frequently occurs in the vegetable from which its specific distinction is derived, and which we regard to be unequivocally good, as we should every similitude of equally easy reference. By the closeness and superabundance of its petals only, is it distinguished from the Common Province, of which it is certainly an interesting variety.

ROSA moschata.

_Musk Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

ROSA, paniculis multifloris, redolens quasi moschum; germinibus ovatis; pedunculisque villosis; petiolis aculeatis; foliolis oblongis, acuminatis, glabris; spinis ramorum majoribus, sparsis, rectisque.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

ROSE, with many-flowered panicles, scented like musk; seed-bud egg-shaped; peduncles villose; petioles prickly; the leaflets are oblong, acuminated, and smooth; the spines of the branches are large, scattered, and straight.

* * * * *

As a perfectly distinct species, the present figure is well deserving of notice. Its flowers are numerous, of a soft creamy white, and which are supposed to emit an odour resembling the perfume called musk. A specific name thus derived, we should not hold in much estimation were the plant ever so deficient in descriptive character; but as the reverse is obvious in the present instance, it is still the more objectionable. Were it, therefore, a name of recent introduction, we should certainly take the liberty of altering it; but, as it has been long known under the title of Musk Rose, however vague and imperfect the reference, we do not think ourselves authorized to change it.

It is a native of the island of Madeira, and a very desirable rose, although by no means splendid; but as one of the latter blowing it is a considerable addition, as it illumines that part of autumn, when the major part of this luxuriant tribe have ceased to bloom.

Our figure was made from a fine plant in the nursery of Messrs. Whitley and Brames, Old Brompton.

ROSA moschata, _Var. flore pleno._

_Double Musk Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

ROSA, paniculis multifloris, redolens quasi moschum; pedunculis villosis, petiolis aculeatis; foliolis oblongis, acuminatis, glabris; spinis ramorum latis, sparsis, rectis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

ROSE, with many-flowered panicles, scented like musk; peduncles villose, petioles prickly; the leaflets are oblong, pointed, and smooth; the spines of the branches are broad, scattered, and straight.

* * * * *

This variety of the Musk Rose differs but little, if at all, from the single, except in its semi-double flowers, which in that particular give to the plant a very distinct appearance; but in every other respect it is so closely allied, that it may justly be called the prototype of the former; more especially as upon the single plant double flowers have sometimes been found, but not frequent; and careful cultivation has now rendered it a circumstance of very rare occurrence. Its blossoms certainly form a richer appearance than the single; their fragrance is by some thought stronger, by others weaker; on the propriety of which we shall make no further comment, than merely to observe that we regard an appeal to the olfactory organs of all references the most imperfect.

This plant, as well as the former, is frequently on the upper part of the branches free from spines, but on the lower part of the stems they are extremely large and strong.

Our figure was made from plants in the nursery of Messrs. Colville, King’s Road.

ROSA indica.

_Indian Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

ROSA, germinibus subrotundis, pedunculisque læviter hispidis; glabra, et nitida, semper florens; petiolis aculeatis; foliolis oblongis, acuminatis, nitidissimis; caule viridi, nitido, ad basin spinoso.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

ROSE, with roundish seed-buds, and peduncles slightly hispid; smooth and shining, ever blooming; the petioles are prickly; the leaflets are oblong, sharp-pointed, and very shining; stem green, shining, and thorny towards the base.

* * * * *

This most elegant rose is justly considered as one of the greatest ornaments ever introduced to this country. The light delicacy of its pinky flowers, and its bright shining green leaves, aided by its unceasing and abundant bloom, render it so attractive that very few roses can compare with it; in fragrance it is inferior to most; for although at times we have found it slightly scented, we must confess to have found it sometimes so deficient in this particular as to be almost induced to regard it as a scentless rose.

All the information that we have been able to acquire respecting its introduction is, that it was first seen in the garden of the late Mr. Parsons of Rickmansworth in Hertfordshire, in the year 1793, soon after which period Messrs. Colville procuring a plant, cultivated it, and it has been ever since increasing in estimation. In the cold season of the year its blossoms are very pale; too great an exposure to the sun likewise produces the same effect. We have frequently seen it of a rich flesh-colour, but never deep.

It is commonly called Pale China Rose; but we have preferred the literal English name, to avoid confusion, by an appearance of two names for one plant, which can never be desirable.

Our figure was made from a plant in the Hibbertian collection, Clapham Common.

ROSA Belgica, _blanda_.

_Blush Belgic Rose._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus globosis, ad basin glandulosis, pedunculis hispido-glandulosis, floribus confertis, pallide carneis; foliolis ovatis, acuminatis; caule et petiolis aculeatis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

ROSE, with globose seed-buds, slightly glandular; peduncles hispidly glandular, flowers crowded, and of a pale flesh-colour, leaflets are ovate, and pointed; the stem and petioles prickly.

* * * * *

This fine pale variety of the Belgic Rose is much esteemed. Its flowers are in succession abundant, but rarely more than two are in perfection at one time. A considerable degree of sameness certainly pervades the Dutch species, to which a judicious curtailment will be very serviceable, by excluding those very trivial florescent varieties from a figurative description; by which abbreviation, a much greater degree of interest will be attached to those, that actually possess a character sufficiently distinct, to require a separate figure, and at the same time it will get rid of an heterogeneous mass of superlative phrases made use of occasionally by way of discrimination. The Author will nevertheless give as satisfactory a reason as possible for the apparent expulsion of any of this attractive genus.

Our figure was made from a fine plant in the nursery of Messrs. Colville, King’s Road, in the month of July, from which period till September it is in constant bloom.

ROSA menstrua, _Var. flore racemoso_.

_Monthly Rose, Cluster-flowered Variety._

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

ROSA, germinibus oblongis, sæpeflorens, racemosa, fragrans; pedunculis petiolisque hispidis, et glandulosis; aculeis ramorum sparsis, rectis; foliolis oblongis, subtus villosis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

ROSE, with oblong seed-buds, often flowering, clustered, sweet-scented; the peduncles and petioles are hispid and glandular; the prickles of the branches are scattered and straight; the leaflets are of an oblong form, and villous beneath.

* * * * *