is perhaps the oldest favourite in English gardens; for it was introduced as far back as 1596. Said to have come originally from the Caucasus, it may well be, as its Latin and French names suggest, the Romans' favourite "hundred-leaved-rose" mentioned by Pliny. And as it was found in Southern France at a very early date, it became known as the "Provence Rose." In spite of all new comers, beautiful and attractive as they are, the "[Old Cabbage Rose]" holds its own to-day in the garden of every true rose-lover, as unsurpassed in fragrance and colour. Its pure white variety, the Rose Unique, discovered in a garden in Suffolk, in 1777, is far less common and less vigorous than the pink [Cabbage] rose. But if it can be induced to grow it is a very beautiful object in the summer garden, especially as a standard on the briar. The tiny Rose de Meaux and Spong are also miniature Provence roses—and as I have said, ought to be more widely grown in English gardens.
Moss.
COMMON.
[The Moss Rose], R. Muscosa,
originally a sport from the common Provence or [Cabbage rose], was also introduced into England from Holland in 1596; and many varieties have since been derived from it, some of the newer ones having the additional merit of being perpetual flowering. The best are the common Pink Moss, Comtesse Murinais, Celina, Crested, Gloire des Mousseuses, Laneii, White Bath; while there is a delightful little pink, mossed Rose de Meaux. Of the perpetuals, Blanche Moreau, Salet, Perpetual White Moss, and Mme. Wm. Paul are all good.
The Old Double Yellow Provence, Rosa Hemisphærica or Sulphurea is somewhat rare now, and only found in one or two modern catalogues or in very old gardens.
The French Rose, R. Gallica, also called Rose de Provins,
as its name implies, is a native of France; but it is also found in Italy, Switzerland and Austria. A good deal of confusion reigns on the subject of this rose and R. Damascena; for varieties of both are often misplaced in each other's classes. For instance, the common red Gallica, the "[Apothecary's rose]," is usually called the [Red Damask], and its many striped varieties, especially Rosa Mundi, are mistaken for the true York and Lancaster, which is a true Damask rose.