CLASSIFICATION OF ROSES

For proper understanding of the principles of culture it is necessary to know something about the different types and classes of rose. For convenience, they may be divided into two great groups—the bush roses and the climbing roses.

The large bush roses grown for mass effects are extremely hardy, floriferous, and usually free of disease. They should be used to a greater degree than at present. Although they fail to bloom except in the early summer, the ornamental seed pods, or "hips," are very attractive in the fall of the year. Because of their hardiness and profusion of bloom, the baby ramblers and the more floriferous hybrid teas, called floribundas, are perfectly satisfactory, particularly for low borders.

The hybrid perpetual and the hybrid teas form the largest group. They are extremely popular and should be grown only in special beds, not with other shrubby materials. The name hybrid perpetual is misleading, since this type blooms usually only once a season, although some varieties may produce a second crop in the fall. The hybrid teas are really constant bloomers if proper care is given them. Of the two, the former are more hardy and vigorous.

Climbing Roses. This group comprises forms of hybrid perpetuals and hybrid teas that have been hybridized with R. wichuraiana and R. multiflora. The rambler roses are hybrids of R. multiflora and are characterized by having their flowers in large clusters and blooming but once a season. Vigor of growth and bright green foliage, usually of nine leaflets, are peculiar to this type. Crimson Rambler, American Pillar, and Tausendschlin are good examples.

Because of susceptibility to mildew, the ramblers are being replaced by the climbing R. wichuraiana hybrids, which show fewer tendencies to disease and possess greater adaptability to locations. The best varieties belonging to this group are Dr. Van Fleet, Silver Moon, Doubloons, Excelsa, Paul's Scarlet Climber.

.

R. centifolia (cabbage rose) is a native of Caucausus and Persia. It is characterized by large globular flowers with numerous petals which curve inward. The flowers are pink and fragrant, appearing in June or July. The leaflets are seven, large and wrinkled with deeply serrated margins. The plant itself is a straggling bush, heavily thorned.

R. damascena (damask rose) is a native of Syria, flowering in June and July and again in the fall. The flowers are borne in carymbose clusters of red, pink, and white. Leaflets are usually five. The plant is upright, growing.