Mosses

Sepals and receptacles of the Moss roses are covered with a glandular growth resembling moss and bearing pungent scents as varied as the scents of the flowers. Mosses were wildly popular in Victorian times for the charm of their buds, and the scents of pine, citrus, dianthus, incense, and apples that perfumed the holders’ fingers. The mosses appeared originally as sports of Damasks and Centifolias; hence two very distinct habits are to be found in their ranks. To complicate matters, a race of repeat-blooming mosses exists, believed to descend from the Autumn Damask and its Hybrid Perpetual and Portland offspring. These are mostly compact like the Portland Rose, and bloom continuously, while being perfectly hardy. See also the Miniatures, Ramblers and Modern Shrubs, which include some modern Moss roses.