Chapter XXV: Front Matter (25)

The white Rose is of two kindes, the one more thicke and double then the other: The one riseth vp in some shadowie places, vnto eight or ten foote high, with a stocke of a great bignesse for a Rose. The other growing seldome higher then a Damaske Rose. Some doe iudge both these to be but one kinde, the diuersitie happening by the ayre, or ground, or both. Both these Roses haue somewhat smaller and whiter greene leaues then in many other Roses, fiue most vsually set on a stalke, and more white vnderneath, as also a whiter greene barke, armed with sharpe thornes or prickles, whereby they are soone known from other Roses, although the one not so easily from the other: the flowers in the one are whitish, with an eye or shew of a blush, especially towards the ground or bottome of the flower, very thicke double, and close set together, and for the most part not opening it selfe so largely and fully as eyther the Red or Damaske Rose. The other more white, lesse thicke and double, and opening it selfe more, and some so little double as but of two or three rowes, that they might be held to be single, yet all of little or no smell at all. To describe you all the seuerall parts of the Rose, as the bud, the beards, the threds &c. were needlesse, they are so conuersant in euery ones hand, that I shall not neede but to touch the most speciall parts of the varieties of them, and leaue a more exact relation of all things incident vnto them, vnto a generall worke.

2. _Rosa Incarnata._ The Carnation Rose.

The Carnation Rose is in most things like vnto the lesser white rose, both for the growing of the stocke, and bignesse of the flower, but that it is more spreade abroade when it is blown then the white is, and is of a pale blush colour all the flower thoroughout, of as small a sent as the white one is almost.

[Sidenote: _Rosa Belgica siue Vitrea._]

This kinde of Rose is not very great, but very thicke and double, and is very variable in the flowers, in that they will be so different one from another: some being paler then others, and some as it were blasted, which commeth not casually, but naturally to this rose: but the best flowers (whereof there will bee still some) will be of a bright pale murrey colour, neere vnto the Veluet rose, but nothing so darke a colour.

3. _Rosa Anglica rubra._ The English red Rose.

The red Rose (which I call English not only for the reason before expressed, but because (as I take it) this Rose is more frequent and vsed in England, then in other places) neuer groweth so high as the damaske Rose bush, but most vsually abideth low, and shooteth forth many branches from the roote (and is but seldome suffered to grow vp as the damaske Rose into standards) with a greene barke, thinner set with prickles, and larger and greener leaues on the vpperside then in the white, yet with an eye of white vpon them, fiue likewise most vsually set vpon a stalke, and grayish or whitish vnderneath. The Roses or Flowers doe very much vary, according to their site and abiding; for some are of an orient, red or deepe crimson colour, and very double (although neuer so double as the white) which when it is full blowne hath the largest leaues of any other Rose; some of them againe are paler, tending somewhat to a damaske; and some are of so pale a red, as that it is rather of the colour of the canker Rose, yet all for the most part with larger leaues then the damaske, and with many more yellow threds in the middle: the sent hereof is much better then in the white, but not comparable to the excellencie of the damaske Rose, yet this Rose being well dryed and well kept, will hold both colour and sent longer then the damaske, bee it neuer so well kept.

4. _Rosa Damascena._ The Damaske Rose.

The Damaske Rose bush is more vsually noursed vp to a competent height to stand alone, (which we call Standards) then any other Rose: the barke both of the stocke and branches, is not fully so greene as the red or white Rose: the leaues are greene with an eye of white vpon them, so like vnto the red Rose, that there is no great difference betweene them, but that the leaues of the red Rose seeme to bee of a darker greene. The flowers are of a fine deepe blush colour, as all know, with some pale yellow threds in the middle, and are not so thicke and double as the white, not being blowne, with so large and great leaues as the red, but of the most excellent sweet pleasant sent, far surpassing all other Roses or Flowers, being neyther heady nor too strong, nor stuffing or vnpleasant sweet, as many other flowers.

5. _Rosa Prouincialis siue Hollandica Damascena._ The great double Damaske Prouince or Holland Rose.

This Rose (that some call _Centifolia Batauica incarnata_) hath his barke of a reddish or browne colour, whereby it is soone discerned from other Roses. The leaues are likewise more reddish then in others, and somewhat larger, it vsually groweth very like the Damaske rose, and much to the same height: the flowers or roses are of the same deepe blush colour that the damaske roses are, or rather somewhat deeper, but much thicker, broader, and more double, or fuller of leaues by three parts almost, the outer leaues turning themselues backe, when the flower hath stood long blowne, the middle part it selfe (which in all other roses almost haue some yellow threds in them to be seene) being folded hard with small leaues, without any yellow almost at all to be seene, the sent whereof commeth neerest vnto the damaske rose, but yet is short of it by much, howsoeuer many doe thinke it as good as the damask, and to that end I haue known some Gentlewomen haue caused all their damaske stockes to bee grafted with prouince Roses, hoping to haue as good water, and more store of them then of damask Roses; but in my opinion it is not of halfe so good a sent as the water of damaske Roses: let euery one follow their own fancie.

6. _Rosa Prouincialis rubra._ The red Prouince Rose.

As the former was called _incarnata_, so this is called _Batauica centifolia rubra_, the difference being not very great: the stemme or stocke, and the branches also in this, seeming not to be so great but greener, the barke being not so red; the leaues of the same largenesse with the former damaske Prouince. The flowers are not altogether so large, thicke and double, and of a little deeper damaske or blush colour, turning to a red Rose, but not comming neere the full colour of the best red Rose, of a sent not so sweete as the damaske Prouince, but comming somewhat neere the sent of the ordinary red rose, yet exceeding it. This rose is not so plentifull in bearing as the damaske Prouince.

7. _Rosa Prouincialis alba._ The white Prouince Rose.

It is said of diuers, that there is a white Prouince Rose, whereof I am not _oculatus testis_, and therefore I dare not giue it you for a certaintie, and indeed I haue some doubt, that it is the greater and more double white rose, whereof I gaue you the knowledge in the beginning: when I am my selfe better satisfied, I shall bee ready to satisfie others.

8. _Rosa versicolor._ The party coloured Rose, of some Yorke and Lancaster.

This Rose in the forme and order of the growing, is neerest vnto the ordinary damaske rose, both for stemme, branch, leafe and flower: the difference consisting in this, that the flower (being of the same largenesse and doublenesse as the damask rose) hath the one halfe of it, sometimes of a pale whitish colour, and the other halfe, of a paler damaske colour then the ordinary; this happeneth so many times, and sometimes also the flower hath diuers stripes, and markes in it, as one leafe white, or striped with white, and the other halfe blush, or striped with blush, sometimes also all striped, or spotted ouer, and other times little or no stripes or markes at all, as nature listeth to play with varieties, in this as in other flowers: yet this I haue obserued, that the longer it abideth blowen open in the sun, the paler and the fewer stripes, markes or spots will be seene in it: the smell whereof is of a weake damaske rose sent.

9. _Rosea Chrystallina._ The Chrystall Rose.

This Rose is very like vnto the last described, both for stocke, branch and leafe: the flower hereof is not much different from it, being no great large or double Rose, but of a meane size, striped and marked with a deeper blush or red, vpon the pale coloured leafe, that it seemeth in the marking and beauty thereof, to bee of as much delight as the Chrystall Gilloflower: this, euen like the former, soone fadeth and passeth away, not yeelding any great store of flowers any yeare.

10. _Rosa rubra humilis siue pumilio._ The dwarfe red Rose, or Gilloflower Rose.

This Rose groweth alwayes low and small, otherwise in most respects like vnto the ordinary redde Rose, and with few or no thornes vpon it: the Flowers or Roses are double, thicke, small and close, not so much spread open as the ordinary red, but somewhat like vnto the first double white Rose before expressed; yet in some places I haue seene them more layde open then these, as they grew in my garden, being so euen at the toppes of the leaues, as if they had been clipt off with a paire of sheeres, and are not fully of so red a colour as the red Prouince Rose, and of as small or weak sent as the ordinary red Rose, or not so much.

11. _Rosa Francafurtensis._ The Franckford Rose.

The young shootes of this Rose are couered with a pale purplish barke, set with a number of small prickes like haires, and the elder haue but very few thornes: the flower or rose it selfe hath a very great bud or button vnder it, more then in any other rose, and is thicke and double as a red rose, but so strongly swelling in the bud, that many of them breake before they can be full blowen, and then they are of a pale red rose colour, that is, betweene a red and a damaske, with a very thicke broade and hard vmbone of short yellow threds or thrumes in the middle, the huske of the flower hauing long ends, which are called the beards of the rose, which in all other are iagged in some of them, in this hath no iagge at all; the smell is neerest vnto a red Rose.

1 _Rosa Damascena._ The Damaske Rose.
2 _Rosa Prouincialis siue Hollandica._ The great Prouince Rose.
3 _Rosa Francafurtensis._ The Franckford Rose.
4 _Rosa rubra humilis._ The dwarfe red Rose.
5 _Rosa Hungarica._ The Hungarian Rose.
6 _Rosa lutea multiplex._ The great double yellow Rose.
]

12. _Rosa Hungarica._ The Hungarian Rose.

The Hungarian Rose hath greene shootes slenderly set with prickes, and seldome groweth higher then ordinarily the red Rose doth; the stemme or stocke being much about that bignesse: the flower or rose is as great, thicke and double, as the ordinary red Rose, and of the same fashion, of a paler red colour, and beeing neerely looked vpon is finely spotted with faint spots, as it were spreade ouer the red; the smell wherof is somewhat better then the smell of the ordinary red Rose of the best kinde.

13. _Rosa Holoserica simplex & multiplex._ The Veluet Rose single and double.

The old stemme or stock of the veluet Rose is couered with a dark coloured barke, and the young shootes of a sad greene with very few or no thornes at all vpon them: the leaues are of a sadder greene colour then in most sorts of Roses, and very often seuen on a stalke, many of the rest hauing but fiue: the Rose is eyther single or double: the single is a broade spread flower, consisting of fiue or sixe broade leaues with many yellow threds in the middle: the double hath two rowes of leaues, the one large, which are outermost, the other smaller within, of a very deepe red crimson colour like vnto crimson veluet, with many yellow threds also in the middle; and yet for all the double rowe of leaues, these Roses stand but like single flowers: but there is another double kinde that is more double then this last, consisting oftentimes of sixteene leaues or more in a flower, and most of them of an equall bignesse, of the colour of the first single rose of this kinde, or somewhat fresher; but all of them of a smaller sent then the ordinary red Rose.

14. _Rosa siue spinis simplex & multiplex._ The Rose without thornes single and double.

The Rose without thornes hath diuers greene smooth shootes, rising from the root, without any pricke or thorne at all vpon them, eyther young or old: the leaues are not fully so large as of the red rose: the flowers or roses are not much bigger then those of the double Cinamon Rose, thicke set together and short, of a pale red Rose colour, with diuers pale coloured veines through euery leafe of the flower, which hath caused some to call it The marbled Rose, and is of a small sent, not fully equall to the red Rose. The single of this kinde differeth not in any other thing from the former, then in the doublenesse or singlenesse of the flowers which in this are not halfe so double, nor yet fully single, and are of a paler red colour.

[Sidenote: _Rosa siue spina flore albo._]

I haue heard likewise of a white Rose of this kinde, but I haue seene none such as yet, therefore I can say no more thereof.

15. _Rosa Cinamomea simplex & multiplex._ The Cinamon Rose single and double.

The single Cinamon Rose hath his shootes somewhat red, yet not so red as the double kinde, armed with great thornes, like almost vnto the Eglantine bush thereby showing, as well by the multiplicitie of his shootes as the quicknesse and height of his shooting, his wilde nature: On the stemme and branches stand winged leaues, sometimes seuen or more together, which are small and greene, yet like vnto other Roses. The Roses are single, of fiue leaues a peece, somewhat large, and of a pale red colour, like vnto the double kinde, which is in shootes redder, and in all other things like vnto the single, but bearing small, short, thicke and double Roses, somewhat like vnto the Rose without thornes, but a little lesser, of a paler red colour at the end of the leaues, and somewhat redder and brighter toward the middle of them, with many yellow short thrumes; the small sent of Cinamon that is found in the flowers hath caused it to beare the name.

16. _Rosa lutea simplex._ The single yellow Rose.

This single yellow Rose is planted rather for variety then any other good vse. It often groweth to a good height, his stemme being great and wooddy, with few or no prickes vpon the old wood, but with a number of small prickes like haires, thicke set, vpon the younger branches, of a darke colour somewhat reddish, the barke of the young shootes being of a sad greene reddish colour: the leaues of this Rose bush are smaller, rounder pointed, of a paler greene colour, yet finely snipt about the edges, and more in number, that is, seuen or nine on a stalke or ribbe, then in any other Garden kinde, except the double of the same kinde that followeth next: the flower is a small single Rose, consisting of fiue leaues, not so large as the single Spanish Muske Rose, but somewhat bigger then the Eglantine or sweete Briar Rose, of a fine pale yellow colour, without any great sent at all while it is fresh, but a little more, yet small and weake when it is dryed.

17. _Rosa lutea multiplex siue flore pleno._ The double yellow Rose.

The double yellow Rose is of great account, both for the rarity, and doublenesse of the flower, and had it sent to the rest, would of all other be of highest esteeme. The stemme or stocke, the young shoots or branches, the small hairy prickes, and the small winged leaues, are in all parts like vnto the former single kinde; the chiefest difference consisteth in the doublenesse of the flower or Rose, which is so thicke and double, that very often it breaketh out on one side or another, and but a few of them abiding whole and faire in our Countrey, the cause whereof wee doe imagine to bee the much moisture of our Countrey, and the time of flowring being subiect to much raine and showers; many therefore doe either plant it against a wall, or other wayes defend it by couering: againe, it is so plentifull in young shootes or branches, as also in flowers at the toppe or euery branch, which are small and weake for the most part, that they are not able to bring all the flowers to ripenesse; and therefore most of them fall or wither away without comming to perfection (the remedy that many doe vse for this inconuenience last recited is, that they nippe away most of the buds, leauing but some few vpon it, that so the vigour of the plant may be collected into a few flowers, whereby they may the better come to perfection, and yet euen thus it is hardly effected) which are of a yellowish greene colour in the bud, and before they be blowne open, but then are of a faire yellow colour, very full of leaues, with many short haires rather then leaues in the middle, and hauing short, round, greene, smooth buttons, almost flat vnder them: the flower being faire blowne open, doth scarce giue place for largenesse, thicknesse, and doublenesse, vnto the great Prouence or Holland Rose. This Rose bush or plant is very tender with vs here about London, and will require some more care and keeping then the single of this kinde, which is hardy enough; for I haue lost many my selfe, and I know but a few about this towne that can nourse it vp kindly, to beare or scarce to abide without perishing; but abideth well in euery free aire of all or the most parts of this Kingdome: but (as I heare) not so well in the North.

18. _Rosa Moschata simplex & multiplex._ The Muske Rose single and double.

The Muske Rose both single and double, rise vp oftentimes to a very great height, that it ouergroweth any arbour in a Garden, or being set by an house side, to bee ten or twelue foote high, or more, but more especially the single kinde, with many green farre spread branches, armed with a few sharpe great thornes, as the wilder sorts of Roses are, whereof these are accounted to be kindes, hauing small darke greene leaues on them, not much bigger then the leaues of Eglantine: the flowers come forth at the toppes of the branches, many together as it were in an vmbell or tuft which for the most part doe flower all at a time, or not long one after another, euery one standing on a pretty long stalke, and are of a pale whitish or creame colour, both the single and the double; the single being small flowers, consisting of fiue leaues, with many yellow threads in the middle: and the double bearing more double flowers, as if they were once or twice more double then the single, with yellow thrummes also in the middle, both of them of a very sweete and pleasing smell, resembling Muske: some there be that haue auouched, that the chiefest sent of these Roses consisteth not in the leaues, but in the threads of the flowers.

19. _Rosa Moschata multiplex altera: alijs Damascena alba, vel verisimilior Cinamomea flore pleno albo._ The double white Damaske Muske Rose.

This other kinde of Muske Rose (which with some is called the white Damaske Muske, but more truely the double white Cinamon Rose) hath his stemme and branches also shorter then the former, but as greene: the leaues are somewhat larger, and of a whiter greene colour; the flowers also are somewhat larger then the former double kinde, but standing in vmbels after the same manner, or somewhat thicker, and of the same whitish colour, or a little whiter, and somewhat, although but a little, neare the smell of the other, but nothing so strong. This flowreth at the time of other Roses, or somewhat later, yet much before the former two sorts of Muske Roses, which flower not vntill the end of Summer, and in Autumne; both which things, that is, the time of the flowring, and the sent being both different, shew plainly it cannot be of the tribe of the Muske Roses.

20. _Rosa Hispanica Moschata simplex._ The Spanish Muske Rose.

This Spanish Rose riseth to the height of the Eglantine, and sometimes higher, with diuers great greene branches, the leaues whereof are larger and greener then of the former kindes: the flowers are single Roses, consisting of fiue whiter leaues then in any of the former Muske Roses, and much larger, hauing sometimes an eye of a blush in the white, of a very sweete smell, comming nearest vnto the last recited Muske Rose, as also for the time of the flowring.

21. _Rosa Pomifera maior._ The great Apple Rose.

The stemme or stocke of this Rose is great, couered with a darke grayish barke, but the younger branches are somewhat reddish, armed here and there with great and sharpe thornes, but nothing so great or plentifull as in the Eglantine, although it be a wilde kinde: the leaues are of a whitish greene colour, almost like vnto the first white Rose, and fiue alwaies set together, but seldome seuen: the flowers are small and single, consisting of fiue leaues, without any sent, or very little, and little bigger then those of the Eglantine bush, and of the very same deepe blush colour, euery one standing vpon a rough or prickly button, bearded in the manner of other Roses, which when the flowers are fallen growe great, somewhat long and round, peare-fashion, bearing the beards on the tops of them; and being full ripe are very red, keeping the small prickles still on them, wherein are many white, hard, and roundish seedes, very like vnto the seede of the Heppes or Eglantine Berries, lying in a soft pulpe, like vnto the Hawthorne berries or Hawes: the whole beauty of this plant consisteth more in the gracefull aspect of the red apples or fruit hanging vpon the bushes, then in the flowers, or any other thing. It seemeth to be the same that Clusius calleth _Rosa Pumila_, but that with me it groweth much higher and greater then he saith his doth.

22. _Rosa siluestris odora siue Eglenteria simplex._ The single Eglantine or sweete Briar bush.

The sweete Briar or Eglantine Rose is so well knowne, being not onely planted in Gardens, for the sweetenesse of the leaues, but growing wilde in many woods and hedges, that I thinke it lost time to describe it; for that all know it hath exceeding long greene shootes, armed with the cruellest sharpe and strong thornes, and thicker set then is in any Rose either wilde or tame: the leaues are smaller then in most of those that are noursed vp in Gardens, seuen or nine most vsually set together on a ribbe or stalke, very greene and sweete in smell, aboue the leaues of any other kinde of Rose: the flowers are small single blush Roses, of little or no sent at all, which turne into reddish berries, stuffed within with a dounie or flock matter or substance, wherein doth lye white hard seede.

1 _Rosa siue spinis multiplex._ The double Rose without thorns.
2 _Rosa Cinamomea flore plena._ The double Cinamon Rose.
3 _Rosa Holoserica simplex._ The single Veluet Rose.
4 _Rosa Holoserica duplex._ The double Veluet Rose.
5 _Rosa Moschata multiplex._ The double Muske Rose.
6 _Rosa Moschata Hispanica simplex._ The single Spanish Muske Rose.
7 _Rosa Pomifera maior._ The great Apple Rose.
8 _Rosa siluestris siue Eglanteria duplex._ The double Eglantine
Rose.
]

23. _Rosa siluestris odora siue Eglenteria flore duplici._ The double Eglantine.

The double Eglantine is in all the places that I haue seene it a grafted Rose, (but I doubt not, but that his originall was naturall, and that it may be made naturall againe, as diuers other Roses are.) It groweth and spreadeth very well, and with a great head of branches, whereon stand such like leaues as are in the single kinde, but a little larger, not smelling fully so sweete as it: the flowers are somewhat bigger then the single, but not much, hauing but one other rowe of leaues onely more then the former, which are smaller, and the outer leaues larger, but of the same pale reddish purple colour, and smelleth somewhat better then the single.

24. _Rosa semper virens._ The euer greene Rose bush.

This Rose or bush is very like vnto a wilde single Eglantine bush in many respects, hauing many very long greene branches, but more slender and weake, so that many times they bend downe againe, not able to sustaine themselues without some helpe, and armed with hooked thornes as other Roses be; the winged leaues consist of seuen for the most part, whereof those two that are lowest and opposite, are smallest, the next two bigger then they, the third couple bigger then any of the rest belowe, and the end leafe biggest of all: this proportion generally it holdeth in euery winged leafe through the whole plant, which at the first comming forth are somewhat reddish, with the young branch that shooteth out with them, but being full growne, are of a deepe greene colour, and somewhat shining, dented about the edges, and fall not away from the branches as other Roses doe, but abide thereon for the most part all the Winter: the flowers stand foure or fiue together at the tops of the branches, being single Roses, made of fiue leaues a peece, of a pure white colour, much larger then the ordinary Muske Rose, and of a fine sent, comming nearest thereunto, with many yellow chiues or threads in the middle.

The Place.

Some of these Roses had their originall, as is thought in
England, as the first and second; for these dryed red Roses
that come ouer to vs from beyond the Seas, are not of the kinde
of our red Rose, as may well be perceiued by them that will
compare our English dryed leaues with those. Some in Germany,
Spaine, and Italy. Some againe in Turkie, as the double yellow
Rose, which first was procured to be brought into England, by
Master Nicholas Lete, a worthy Merchant of London, and a great
louer of flowers, from Constantinople, which (as wee heare)
was first brought thither from Syria; but perished quickly
both with him, and with all other to whom hee imparted it:
yet afterwards it was sent to Master Iohn de Franqueuille, a
Merchant also of London, and a great louer of all rare plants,
as well as flowers, from which is sprung the greatest store,
that is now flourishing in this Kingdome.

The Time.

The Cinamon Rose is the earliest for the most part, which
flowreth with vs about the middle of May, and sometimes in the
beginning. The ordinary Muske Roses both single and double
flower latest, as is said. All the other flower much about one
time, in the beginning of Iune, or thereabouts, and continue
flowring all that moneth, and the next throughout for the most
part, and the red vntill August be halfe past.

The Names.

The seuerall names, whereby they are most commonly knowne vnto
vs in this Countrey, are expressed in their titles; but they
are much differing from what they are called in other Countries
neare vnto vs, which to compare, conferre, and agree together,
were a worke of more paines then vse: But to proportion them
vnto the names set downe by Theophrastus, Pliny, and the rest
of the ancient Authors, were a worke, wherein I might be
sure not to escape without falling into errour, as I verily
beleeue many others haue done, that haue vndertaken to doe
it: I will therefore for this worke desire that you will rest
contented, with so much as hath already been deliuered, and
expect an exact definition and complete satisfaction by such a
methodicall course as a generall History will require, to be
performed by them that shall publish it.

The Vertues.

The Rose is of exceeding great vse with vs; for the Damaske
Rose (besides the superexcellent sweete water it yeeldeth
being distilled, or the perfume of the leaues being dryed,
seruing to fill sweete bags) serueth to cause solublenesse of
the body, made into a Syrupe, or preserued with Sugar moist
or dry candid. The Damaske Prouince Rose, is not onely for
sent nearest of all other Roses vnto the Damaske, but in the
operation of solubility also. The red Rose hath many Physicall
vses much more then any other, seruing for many sorts of
compositions, both cordiall and cooling, both binding and
loosing. The white Rose is much vsed for the cooling of heate
in the eyes: diuers doe make an excellent yellow colour of the
iuyce of white Roses, wherein some Allome is dissolued, to
paint or colour flowers or pictures, or any other such things.
There is little vse of any other sort of Roses; yet some
affirme, that the Muske Roses are as strong in operation to
open or loosen the belly as the Damaske Rose or Prouince.

CHAP. CXI.

_Cistus._ The Holly Rose or Sage Rose.

There are three principall kindes of _Cistus_, the male, the female, and the gumme or sweete smelling _Cistus_ bearing _Ladanum_, called _Ledon_. Of each of these three there are also diuers sorts: Of them all to intreate in this Worke is not my minde, I will onely select out of the multitude some few that are fit for this our Garden, and leaue the rest to a greater.

1. _Cistus mas._ The male Holly Rose or Sage Rose.

The male _Cistus_ that is most familiar vnto our Countrey, I meane that will best abide, is a small shrubby plant, growing seldome aboue three or foure foote high with vs, hauing many slender brittle wooddy branches, couered with a whitish barke, whereon are set many whitish greene leaues, long and somewhat narrow, crumpled or wrinckled as it were with veines, and somewhat hard in handling, especially the old ones; for the young ones are softer, somewhat like vnto Sage leaues for the forme and colour, but much smaller, two alwaies set together at a ioynt: the flowers stand at the toppe of the branches, three or foure together vpon seuerall slender footstalkes, consisting of fiue small round leaues a peece, somewhat like vnto a small single Rose, of a fine reddish purple colour, with many yellow threads in the middle, without any sent at all, and quickly fading or falling away, abiding seldome one whole day blowne at the most: after the flowers are past, there come vp round hard hairie heads in their places, containing small brownish seede: the roote is wooddy, and will abide some yeares with vs, if there be some care had to keepe it from the extreamity of our Winters frostes, which both this, and many of the other sorts and kinds, will not abide doe what we can.

2. _Cistus fæmina._ The female Holly Rose.

The female Holly Rose groweth lower, and smaller then the former male kinde, hauing blackish branches, lesse woody, but not lesse brittle then it: the leaues are somewhat rounder and greener, but a little hard or rough withall, growing in the same manner vpon the branches by couples: the flowers grow at the toppes of the branches, like vnto the former, consisting of fiue leaues, but somewhat lesser, and wholly white, with yellow threds in the middle, as quickly fading, and of as little sent as the former: the heads and seede are somewhat bigger then in the former.

3. _Chamæcistus Frisicus._ The dwarfe Holly Rose of Friseland.

This dwarfe Cistus is a small low plant, hauing diuers shootes from the rootes, full of leaues that are long and narrow, very like vnto the leaues of the French Spikenard or _Spica Celtica_; from among which leaues shoote forth short stalkes, not aboue a span high, with a few smaller leaues thereon; and at the toppes diuers small flowers one aboue another, consisting of six small round leaues, of a yellow colour, hauing two circles of reddish spots round about the bottome of the leaues, a little distant one from another, which adde much grace to the flower: after the flowers are past, there come in their places small round heads, being two forked at the end containing within them small brownish chaffie seede: the roote is small and slender, with many fibres thereat creeping vnder ground, and shooting forth in diuers places, whereby it much encreaseth: the whole plant, and euery part of it, smelleth strong without any pleasant sent.

4. _Cistus annuus._ The Holly Rose of a yeare.

This small Cistus that endureth but a year (and will require to be sowne euery year, if ye will haue it) riseth vp with straight, but slender hard stalkes, set here and there confusedly with long and narrow greenish leaues, very like vnto the leaues of the Gum Cistus or Ledon, being a little clammy withall: at the toppe of the stalkes, and at the ioynts with the leaues, stand two or three pale yellow flowers, consisting of fiue leaues a peece, with a reddish spot neere the bottome of euery leafe of the flower, as quickely fading as any of the former: after which follow small three square heades, containing small seede, like vnto the first female kinde, but somewhat paler or yellower: the root is small and woody, and perisheth as soone as it hath borne seede.

5. _Cistus Ledon._ The Gum Cistus, or Sweete Holly Rose.

This sweete Holly Rose or Gum Cistus, riseth higher, and spreadeth larger then the former male kind doth, with many blackish woody branches, whereon are set diuers long and narrow darke greene leaues, but whitish vnderneath, two alwayes standing together at a ioint, both stalks and leaues bedeawed as it were continually with a clammy sweete moisture (which in the hot Countries is both more plentifull, and more sweet then in ours) almost transparent, and which being gathered by the inhabitants, with certaine instruments for that purpose (which in some places are leather thongs, drawne ouer the bushes, and after scraped off from the thongs againe, and put together) is that kind of blacke sweet gum, which is called _Ladanum_ in the Apothecaries shops; at the tops of the branches stand single white flowers, like vnto single Roses, being larger then in any of the former kindes, consisting of fiue leaues, whereof euery one hath at the bottome a dark purplish spot, broad below, and small pointed vpwards, with some yellow threds in the middle: after which are past, there arise cornered heads, containing such small brownish seede as is in the former male kinde: the roote is woody, and spreadeth vnder ground, abiding some yeares, if it be placed vnder a wall, where it may bee defended from the windes that often breake it, and from the extremitie of our winters, and especially the snow, if it lye vpon it, which quickly causeth it to perish.

1 _Cistus mas._ The male Holly Rose.
2 _Chamæcistus Frisicus._ The dwarfe Holly Rose of Frisia.
3 _Cistus Ledon._ The sweet Holly Rose or gumme Cistus.
4 _Ledum Alpinum._ The mountaine Holly Rose.
5 _Ledum Silesiacum._ The sweet Mary Rose of Silesia.
6 _Rosmarinum aureum._ Gilded Rosemary.
]

6. _Ledum Alpinum seu Rosa Alpina._ The Mountaine sweet Holly Rose.

The fragrant smell with properties correspondent of two other plants, causeth me to insert them in this Chapter, and to bring them to your knowledge, as well worthy a fit place in our Garden. The first of them hath diuers slender woody branches, two foote high or thereabouts, couered with a grayish coloured barke, and many times leaning downe to the ground, whereby it taketh roote againe: vpon these branches grow many thicke, short, hard greene leaues, thicke set together, confusedly without order, sometimes whitish vnderneath, and sometimes yellowish: the toppes of the branches are loden with many flowers, which cause them to bend downwards, being long, hollow and reddish, opening into fiue corners, spotted on the outside with many white spots, and of a paler red colour on the inside, of a fine sweet sent: after the flowers are past, there follow small heads, containing small brownish seede: the root is long, hard and woody, abiding better if it comprehend in the ground, then some of the former, because his originall is out of a colder country.

7. _Ledum Silesiacum._ The sweete Mary Rose, or Rosemary of Silesia.

This other sweete plante riseth vp with woody ash-coloured branches two foote high or more, which shoote forth other branches, of a reddish or purplish colour, couered with a brownish yellow hoarinesse, on which are set many narrow long greene leaues, like vnto Rosemary leaues, but couered with the like hoarinesse as the stalks are (especially in the naturall places, but not so much being transplanted) and folding the sides of the leaues so close together, that they seeme nothing but ribbes, or stalkes, of an excellent sweet and pleasant sent; at the ends of the branches there grow certaine brownish scaly heads, made of many small leaues set thicke together, out of which breake forth many flowers, standing in a tuft together, yet seuerally euery one vpon his owne footstalke, consisting of fiue white leaues, with certaine white threds in the middle, smelling very sweete: after which rise small greene heads, spotted with brownish spots, wherein is contained very small, long, yellowish seede: the roote is hard and woodie.

The Place.

The first, second, fourth and fifth, grow in the hot Countries,
as Italie, Spaine, &c. The third, and the two last in the
colder Countries, as Friseland, Germanie, Bohemia.

The Time.

They do all flower in the Summer moneths of Iune, Iuly and
August, and their seede is ripe quickly after.

The Names.

The first, second, fourth and fift, haue their names
sufficiently expressed in their descriptions. The third was
sent vnto Clusius, vnder the name of _Hirculus Frisicus_,
because of the strong sent: but he referreth it to the kinds
of _Chamæcistus_, that is, dwarfe or low _Cistus_, both for
the low growth, and for the flowers and seede sake. The sixt
is diuersly called; for Clusius calleth it _Ledum Alpinum_:
others, _Nerium Alpinum_, making it to bee a Rose Bay. Gesner
according to the Countrey peoples name, _Rosa Alpina_, and
_Rosa Montana_. Lobel calleth it _Balsamum Alpinum_, of the
fragrant smell it hath, and _Chamærhododendros Chamælææfolio_.
And some haue called it _Euonymus_, without all manner of
iudgement. In English wee may call it, The Mountaine Rose,
vntill a fitter name be giuen it. The last is called of
Matthiolus, _Rosmarinum siluestre_, but of Clusius _Ledum_,
referring it to their kindred; and _Silesiacum_, because he
found it in that Countrey; or for distinction sake, as he
saith, it may bee called, _Ledum folijs Rosmarini_, or _Ledum
Bohemicum_. Cordus, as it seemeth in his History of Plants,
calleth it _Chamæpeuce_, as though he did account it a kinde of
low Pine, or Pitch tree.

The Vertues.

The first, second, and fift, are very astringent, effectuall
for all sorts of fluxes of humours. The sweet Gum called
_Ladanum_, made artificially into oyle, is of singular vse for
_Alopecia_, or falling of the haire. The seed of the fourth is
much commended against the stone of the Kidneyes. The sweete
Rosemary of Silesia is vsed of the inhabitants, where it
naturally groweth, against the shrinking of sinewes, crampes,
or other such like diseases, whereof their daily experience
makes it familiar, being vsed in bathing or otherwise.

CHAP. CXII.

_Rosmarinum._ Rosemary.

There hath beene vsually knowne but one sort of Rosemary, which is frequent through all this Country: but there are some other sorts not so well known; the one is called Gilded Rosemary; the other broade leafed Rosemary; a third I will adioyne, as more rare then all the other, called Double flowred Rosmary, because few haue heard thereof, much lesse seene it, and my selfe am not well acquainted with it, but am bold to deliuer it vpon credit.

1. _Libanotis Coronaria siue Rosmarinum vulgare._ Our Common Rosmary.

This common Rosemary is so well knowne through all our Land, being in euery womans garden, that it were sufficient but to name it as an ornament among other sweete herbes and flowers in our Garden, seeing euery one can describe it: but that I may say something of it, It is well obserued, as well in this our Land (where it hath been planted in Noblemens, and great mens gardens against bricke wals, and there continued long) as beyond the Seas, in the naturall places where it groweth, that it riseth vp in time vnto a very great height, with a great and woody stemme (of that compasse, that (being clouen out into thin boards) it hath serued to make lutes, or such like instruments, and here with vs Carpenters rules, and to diuers other purposes) branching out into diuers and sundry armes that extend a great way, and from them againe into many other smaller branches, whereon are set at seueral distances, at the ioynts, many very narrow long leaues, greene aboue, and whitish vnderneath; among which come forth towards the toppes of the stalkes, diuers sweet gaping flowers, of a pale or bleake blewish colour, many set together, standing in whitish huskes; the seed is small and red, but thereof seldome doth any plants arise that will abide without extraordinary care; for although it will spring of the seede reasonable well, yet it is so small and tender the first yeare, that a sharpe winter killeth it quickly, vnlesse it be very well defended: the whole plant as well leaues as flowery smelleth exceeding sweete.

2. _Rosmarinum striatum, siue aureum._ Gilded Rosemary.

This Rosemary differeth not from the former, in forme or manner of growing, nor in the forme or colour of the flower, but only in the leaues, which are edged, or striped, or pointed with a faire gold yellow colour, which so continueth all the yeare throughout, yet fresher and fairer in Summer then in Winter; for then it will looke of a deader colour, yet so, that it may be discerned to be of two colours, green & yellow.

3. _Rosmarinum latifolium._ Broade leafed Rosemary.

This broad leafed Rosemary groweth in the same manner that the former doth, but that we haue not seene it in our Countrey since we had it to grow so great, or with such woody stemmes: the leaues stand together vpon the long branches after the same fashion, but larger, broader and greener then the other, and little or nothing whitish vnderneath: the flowers likewise are of the same forme and colour with the ordinary, but larger, and herein consisteth the difference.

4. _Rosmarinum flore duplici._ Double flowred Rosmary.

The double flowred Rosmary thus far differeth from the former, that it hath stronger stalkes, not so easie to breake, fairer, bigger and larger leaues, of a faire greene colour, and the flowers are double, as the Larkes heele or spurre: This I haue onely by relation, which I pray you accept, vntill I may by sight better enforme you.

The Place.

Our ordinary Rosmary groweth in Spaine, and Prouence of France,
and in others of those hot Countryes, neere the Sea side. It
will not abide (vnlesse kept in stoues) in many places of
Germany, Denmarke, and those colder Countries. And in some
extreame hard winters, it hath well neere perished here in
England with vs, at the least in many places: but by slipping
it is vsually, and yearly encreased, to replenish any garden.

The Time.

It flowreth oftentimes twice in the yeare; in the Spring first,
from April vntill the end of May or Iune, and in August and
September after, if the yeare before haue been temperate.

The Names.

Rosmary is called of the ancient Writers, _Libanotis_, but
with this distinction, _Stephanomatica_, that is, _Coronaria_,
because there were other plants called _Libanotis_, that were
for other vses, as this for garlands, where flowers and sweete
herbes were put together. The Latines call it _Rosmarinum_.
Some would make it to be _Cneorum nigrum_ of Theophrastus,
as they would make Lauander to bee his _Cneorum album_, but
Matthiolus hath sufficiently confuted that errour.

The Vertues.

Rosmary is almost of as great vse as Bayes, or any other herbe
both for inward and outward remedies, and as well for ciuill as
physicall purposes. Inwardly for the head and heart; outwardly
for the sinewes and ioynts: for ciuill vses, as all doe know,
at weddings, funerals, &c. to bestow among friends: and the
physicall are so many, that you might bee as well tyred in the
reading, as I in the writing, if I should set down all that
might be said of it. I will therefore onely giue you a taste
of some, desiring you will be content therewith. There is an
excellent oyle drawne from the flowers alone by the heate
of the Sunne, auaileable for many diseases both inward and
outward, and accounted a soueraigne Balsame: it is also good
to helpe dimnesse of sight, and to take away spots, markes
and scarres from the skin; and is made in this manner. Take a
quantitie of the flowers of Rosemary, according to your owne
will eyther more or lesse, put them into a strong glasse close
stopped, set them in hot horse dung to digest for fourteene
dayes, which then being taken forth of the dung, and vnstopped,
tye a fine linnen cloth ouer the mouth, and turne downe the
mouth thereof into the mouth of another strong glasse, which
being set in the hot Sun, an oyle will distill downe into the
lower glasse; which preserue as precious for the vses before
recited, and many more, as experience by practice may enforme
diuers.

There is another oyle Chymically drawne, auaileable in the like
manner for many the same inward and outward diseases, _viz._
for the heart, rheumaticke braines, and to strengthen the
memory, outwardly to warme and comfort cold benummed sinewes,
whereof many of good iudgement haue had much experience.

CHAP. CXIII.

_Myrtus._ The Mirtle tree or bush.

In the hot Countreyes, there haue been many sorts of Mirtles found out, naturally growing there, which will not fructifie in this of ours, nor yet abide without extraordinary care, and conueniencie withall, to preserue them from the sharpenesse of our winters. I shall only bring you to view three sorts in this my Garden, the one with a greater, the other two with lesser leaues, as the remainder of others which wee haue had, and which are preserued from time to time, not without much paine and trouble.

1. _Myrtus latifolia._ The greater leafed Mirtle.

The broader leafed Mirtle riseth vp to the height of foure or fiue foote at the most with vs, full of branches and leaues growing like a small bush, the stemme and elder branches whereof are couered with a dark coloured bark, but the young with a green, and some with a red, especially vpon the first shooting forth, whereon are set many fresh greene leaues, very sweet in smell, and very pleasant to behold, so neer resembling the leaues of the Pomegranate tree that groweth with vs, that they soone deceiue many that are not expert therein, being somewhat broade and long, and pointed at the ends, abiding alwaies green: at the ioynts of the branches where the leaues stand, come forth the flowers vpon small footestalkes, euery one by it selfe consisting of fiue small white leaues, with white threds in the middle, smelling also very sweet; after the flowers are past, there doe arise in the hot Countries, where they are naturall, round blacke berries, when they are ripe, wherein are contained many hard white crooked seedes, but neuer in this Countrey, as I said before: the roote disperseth it selfe into many branches, with many fibres annexed thereto.

2. _Myrtus minor, seu minore folio._ The smaller leafed Mirtle.

The smaller leafed Mirtle is a low shrub or bush, like vnto the former, but scarce rising so high, with branches spreading about the stemme, much thicker set with leaues then the former, smaller also, and pointed at the ends, of a little deeper greene colour, abiding greene also winter and summer, and very sweete likewise: the flowers are white like vnto the former, and as sweete, but shew not themselues so plentifull on the branches: the fruit is blacke in his naturall places, with seedes therein as the former.

3. _Myrtus minor rotundiore folio._ Boxe Mirtle.

Wee haue another sort of this small kinde of Mirtle, so like vnto the former both for smalnesse, deepe greene colour of the leaues, and thicke growing of the branches, that it will be thought of most, without good heede, and comparing the one with the other, to be the very same with the former: but if it bee well viewed, it will shew, by the roundnesse at the ends of the leaues very like vnto the small Boxe leaues, to be another differing kinde, although in nothing else. Wee nourse them with great care, for the beautifull aspect, sweete sent and raritie, as delights and ornaments for a garden of pleasure, wherein nothing should be wanting that art, care and cost might produce and preserue: as also to set among other euer greene plants to sort with them.

The Place.

These, and many other sorts of Mirtles grow in Spaine,
Portugall, Italie, and other hot Countries in great aboundance,
where they make their hedges of them: wee (as I said) keepe
them in this Countrey, with very great care and diligence.

The Time.

The Mirtles doe flower very late with vs, not vntill August at
the soonest, which is the cause of their not fructifying.

The Names.

They are called in Latine _Myrtus_, and in English Mirtle
tree, without any other diuersitie of names, for the generall
title. Yet the seuerall kindes haue had seuerall denominations,
in Plinies time, and others, as _Romana_, _Coniugala_,
_Tarentina_, _Egyptia_, _alba_, _nigra_, _&c._ which haue noted
the differences, euen then well obserued.

The Vertues.

The Mirtle is of an astringent qualitie, and wholly vsed for
such purposes.

CHAP. CXIIII.

_Malus Punica siue Granata._ The Pomegranet tree.

There are two kindes of Pomegranet trees, The one tame or manured, bearing fruit, which is distinguished of some into two sorts, of others into three, that is, into sower, and sweet, and into sower sweete. The other wilde, which beareth no fruite, because it beareth double flowers, like as the Cherry, Apple, and Peach tree with double blossomes, before described, and is also distinguished into two sorts, the one bearing larger, the other lesser flowers. Of the manured kinde wee haue onely one sort (so farre as we know, for it neuer beareth ripe fruit in this our Countrey) which for the beautifull aspect, both of the greene verdure of the leaues, and faire proportion and colour of the flowers, as also for the raritie, are noursed in some few of their gardens that delight in such rarities: for in regard of the tendernesse, there is neede of diligent care, that is, to plant it against a brick wall, and defend it conueniently from the sharpenesse of our winters, to giue his Master some pleasure in seeing it beare flowers: And of the double kinde we haue as yet obtained but one sort, although I shall giue you the knowledge and description of another.

1 _Myrtus latifolia maior._ The broad leaded Myrtle.
2 _Myrtus angustifolia minor._ The small leafed Myrtle.
3 _Myrtus buxifolia minor._ The Boxe leafed Myrtle.
4 _Malus Granatus simplici flore._ The ordinary Pomegranet tree.
5 _Balaustium Romanum seu minus._ The lesser double flowred
Pomegranet tree.
6 _Balaustium maius siue Cyprium._ The greater double flowred
Pomegranet.
7 _Pseudocapsicum seu Amomum Plinij._ The Winter Cherry tree.
8 _Ficus Indica cum suo fructu._ The Indian Figgetree and his fruit.
]

1. _Malus Punica satiua._ The tame Pomegranet tree.