The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-10-01
The Cherokee Rose.

the first time visits the Southern States,
none is more striking than the luxuri-
ance of the Cherokee Rose. The origin
and early history of this rose are sur
rounded by doubt. There is tradition
that the plant was brought ''from the
mountain" by Indian traders, and it was
probably in reference to this that it re-
ceived the popular name OF Cherokee
Rose. Michaux gave it the name Rosa
l@vigata, which is by no means descrip
tive, as the plant is not smooth. it hav-
ing formidable prickles while the calyx is
covered with bristles. At one time it was
referred to Rosa Sinica, Chinese species;
and it was supposed that this rose was
brought to Charleston from abroad, and
finding congenial climate in South Car
DINA and the adj joining States it made it.
selfquite at home and became completely
naturalized. Although there is no proof
of it's introduction it's foreign origin is
generally believed. But, whatever it's or
igin, the name Cherokee Rose is every
where accepted. For the production of
gorgeous effects in Southern landscape
gardening, this rose is unequaled bv any
other species. One of the most note
worthy instances of this kind is seen at
the Magnolia Gardens, the residence of
Rev. j. A. DraytOn, situated on the
Ashly River, about twelve miles from
Charleston. By means of their strong
prickles the long stems ascend the ta!lest
magnolias and live oaks, festOoning
from tree to tree, the vine like
shoots hanging down and swinging
free for thirty or more feet. When
clothed with their pure white flow
ers and dark evergreen leaves inter-
twined with the gracefully dropping
Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides) and
the large, glossy leaves of the magnOlias
as a background, the view presented to
the eye is of surprising beauty and not
soon to be forgotten.
AS a hedge plant, the Cherokee Rose is
of Importance to the people of the South
ern States. Hedges fifty years old are
still in effective condition, and bid fair to
last another half century in beauty and
strength This plant is readily propa-
gated from cuttings about six inches
IOIS, IIdU0 6tuu III ClIO ICI1I. i HO
first winter the growth OF the hedge
plants is cut back to one foot in length.
The new growth will start with great
vigor, running in all directions andneeds
to be occasionally laid in in the line
of the hedge. Such a hedge, when it
has reached the desired height and width,
| if kept within bounds by an annual prun
| ing will last as a serviceable barrier for
many years, almost indefinitely.
The plant, when left to itself, spreads
| to an unbOunded extent, it's branches
trailing upon the ground, taking root
! and thus forminga hugecolony ofplants.
Such clump, sprung from asingle plant,
| is seen in our illustration engraved from
a photograph. This rose-mountain
grows on the grounds of Rev. Lyman
Phelps, near Sanford, Fla. 1t measures
sixty feet in diameter and is over fifteen
feet high. When we saw it the latter
part of February, it was thickly covered
with flowers and produced amost impOs
ing effect. AS green house plant, the
Cherokee Rose was introduced into the
North over fifty years ago. 1t requires
to be planted out in border, as it's
roots will not succeed in pots or tubs. Ii
trained to the rafters of a greenhouse
and properly cared for, it's !uxuriant
shoots will be covered with flowers from
December to May The buds are SO large
and OF such great beauty that they are
much valued by florists, and those who
supply the market with forced roses in
winter would do well to give the Cherokee