Part 11

There cannot be a Rose better known than this delicate species, under the title of The Maiden’s Blush. It is considered, among the Garden Roses, as the second in progressive routine from the wild species, but must certainly be ranked among the first in beauty. Our figure represents what is called the Clustered variety; an appellation we have not adopted, as it would have compelled us to have given two other nominal varieties; the one, whose flowers are rather smaller; the other, with flowers less crowded. But when the latitude of growth that appertains to this luxuriant tribe is considered, they may with propriety be regarded as the variations of culture only.

During the months of July and August this Rose is in the greatest perfection. We have frequently remarked the foliage of this Rose, upon most old plants, to be of a very dark or blackish green; but, on the younger ones, to be nearly the same in colour as the minor variety.

ROSA Bella Donna; Var. flore minore.

Maidens-blush Rose; Small-flowered Variety.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus ovatis, pedunculisque hispidis: floribus numerosis parvulis, pallide carneis: foliis patentibus: foliolis ovatis, acuminatis: caule et petiolis aculeatis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with egg-shaped seed-buds, and hispid peduncles. Flowers numerous, smallish, and of a pale flesh colour. Leaves spreading. Leaflets egg-shaped and pointed. Stem and petioles prickly.

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This minor Variety of the Maiden’s Blush, like the larger one, is said to possess two equally trivial variations. The only observable distinction in this variety is the very small size of its flowers, compared with the preceding figure. Yet, as it delineates the latitude of growth annexed to this species, it stands in no great need of an apology. But how we could have apologized, in a satisfactory manner, for the introduction of four more intermediate varieties, we know not; but rather think we must have borrowed the specific character of the present species, and blushed for their intrusion. The specific we have adopted is only retained among cultivators for this minor Variety, doubtless with the intention of preserving an appearance of greater distinction.

From fine plants in the nursery of Messrs. Whitley, this species has been delineated.

ROSA inermis.

Rose without Thorns.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa inermis, germinibus oblongis: pedunculis petiolisque hispidis: corollis saturate rubropurpureis: foliis glabris: foliolis ovatis, acutis, serratis: caule ramisque glabris: fructibus pendulis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose unarmed, with oblong seed-buds, and hispid petioles and peduncles. Blossoms of a deep red purple. Leaves smooth. Leaflets ovate, sharp-pointed, and sawed at the edges. Stem and branches smooth. Fruit pendulous.

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This thornless Rose may be almost considered as the exception to an otherwise general rule. A specific so unequivocally good seldom occurs; and yet this Rose, in the Hortus Kewensis, bears the name of pendulina, from its pendulous fruit; a character common to several other species. But had we not found this Rose to be as well known under the name of inermis, as by the title of pendulina, we should not (although for the better) have thought ourselves so well justified in altering it; regarding names of no further value than as they give us the most immediate direction to any object we may be in search of. It is an early-blooming Rose with single-flowers of the finest purple colour; and frequently blooms a second time in the autumn; but its flowers then are not so large as in the early part of the season.

Our figure was drawn from a large plant in the nursery of Mr. Shailer.

ROSA lucida.

Shining-leaved or Macartney Rose.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus globosis, lucidis, et sericeis, ad basin bracteis sericeis dentatis instructis: floribus albis: foliis buxeis: foliolis sub-ovatis, serrulatis, lucidis: pedunculis et petiolis aculeatissimis: caule aculeatissimo, tomentoso: ramis flexuosis, patentibus.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with round seed-buds, shining, and silky, furnished at the base with silky toothed floral leaves. Flowers white. Leaves resembling box. Leaflets nearly egg-shaped, finely sawed, and shining. Peduncles and petioles very prickly. Stem very prickly and downy. Branches flexuose and spreading.

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This perfectly distinct species of Rose was introduced from China to this country by Lord Macartney, on his return from his embassy to that court. It is perfectly known under the title of Macartney Rose, and also by the name of lucida, which we have retained: not that we think it is the best name that might have been applied; for lucida is by no means the exclusive character of the present species, and the appellative of buxifolia or bracteata would have been more appropriate, as they could not have been well applied to any other Rose at present known. But, probably, at a future period, some variety of this species, either imported or cultivated in this country, may enable us to make use of these specifics.