Rose with nearly round seed-buds, and peduncles slightly hispid and
slender: flowers of many petals, imbricated, equal, and
flesh-coloured. Stem smooth and flexible: spines scattered.
* * * * *
This delicate Rose was raised about the year 1796 by Mr. Shailer,
nurseryman, of Little Chelsea. It is as yet so little known, that a
dwarf variety of the Province is frequently sold for it; a mistake most
probably owing to its being commonly called amongst cultivators
Shailer’s Province Rose: but it certainly bears most resemblance to the
Rosa Indica, and is, as far as we can understand, a hybrid production
between the two species; and if so, it might come under the description
of variety only. But, whilst nature produces such distinct and beautiful
varieties, specific titles can only be regarded as a variation of terms.
It makes a most graceful appearance, from the drooping of its branches
and nodding of its flowers, whose close and numerous petals are too
heavy for its weak and slender stem to support. It appears to be a Rose
calculated to train against a trellis to great advantage. It is as hardy
as most Roses, and is increased (but not easily) by layers. Flowers
during the months of June and July.
[Illustration]
ROSA ferox.
_Fierce or Hedge-Hog Rose._