ALL ABOUT ROSES
A rosarian's fantasy: 'What if someone took the dark green leaves and bright colored silky flowers of the China rose and mingled them with the vigorous climbing habit and huge pale flowers of Rosa gigantea?
The Tea rose class was so named because of its dry, spicy, tea-like scent. Tea roses have many strengths: an excellent fragrance, a long season of bloom, abundant and attractive foliage, and large well-formed flowers in gentle, blushed pastels. (Shepherd says "...the delicate color of the flowers denotes a degree of refinement that is formed in no other class"). They are easy to grow, very good as cut flowers and useful in the garden. Another plus is that many Teas have climbing sports of equal or greater merit. Tea roses do have one drawback their lack of hardiness. They are usually hardy only down to Zone 7, with exceptions noted below. Minimum average temperature is not the only concern: they require a long growing season.
To create the Tea rose, Rosa gigantea -- possibly a descendent of Rosa odorata -- was crossed with either of two famous China roses, Hume's Blush and Park's Yellow Tea-scented China. This was a serendipitous occasion: R. gigantea, a vigorous, disease-resistant, highly fragrant, recurrent Chinese species with very large, white drooping flowers contributed all that R. chinensis lacked. The result is that Tea roses are long-lived, healthy plants that are larger, fuller and more robust than their China rose parents. The exact identity of the prodigy who came up with the idea to combine these two roses is unknown. Although English growers introduced the Teas to the market, Tea rose hybridizing quickly moved to the French Riviera in the mid 1800s. Tea roses weren't happy with the rainy, damp, cool English climate.
Tea roses are either bushy plants or climbers. The bushy Teas are generally urn-shaped, with abundant foliage and flowers. Large, full, well-formed blooms droop slightly from their long, thin stems. (This feature is especially appealing in the climbers). Flower colors are subtle, blushed, creamy pastels. Flower buds are long, narrow, and scrolled, and beautiful in their own right. Leaves are a shiny, leathery, mid- to dark green and quite attractive because of their plum/bronze/reddish new growth. Tea roses are very good cutting flowers. Most Tea roses are vigorous, relatively easy to propagate, and long-lived.
The Tea rose class was so named because of its dry, spicy, tea-like scent. Tea roses have many strengths: an excellent fragrance, a long season of bloom, abundant and attractive foliage, and large well-formed flowers in gentle, blushed pastels. (Shepherd says "...the delicate color of the flowers denotes a degree of refinement that is formed in no other class"). They are easy to grow, very good as cut flowers and useful in the garden. Another plus is that many Teas have climbing sports of equal or greater merit. Tea roses do have one drawback their lack of hardiness. They are usually hardy only down to Zone 7, with exceptions noted below. Minimum average temperature is not the only concern: they require a long growing season.
To create the Tea rose, Rosa gigantea -- possibly a descendent of Rosa odorata -- was crossed with either of two famous China roses, Hume's Blush and Park's Yellow Tea-scented China. This was a serendipitous occasion: R. gigantea, a vigorous, disease-resistant, highly fragrant, recurrent Chinese species with very large, white drooping flowers contributed all that R. chinensis lacked. The result is that Tea roses are long-lived, healthy plants that are larger, fuller and more robust than their China rose parents. The exact identity of the prodigy who came up with the idea to combine these two roses is unknown. Although English growers introduced the Teas to the market, Tea rose hybridizing quickly moved to the French Riviera in the mid 1800s. Tea roses weren't happy with the rainy, damp, cool English climate.
Tea roses are either bushy plants or climbers. The bushy Teas are generally urn-shaped, with abundant foliage and flowers. Large, full, well-formed blooms droop slightly from their long, thin stems. (This feature is especially appealing in the climbers). Flower colors are subtle, blushed, creamy pastels. Flower buds are long, narrow, and scrolled, and beautiful in their own right. Leaves are a shiny, leathery, mid- to dark green and quite attractive because of their plum/bronze/reddish new growth. Tea roses are very good cutting flowers. Most Tea roses are vigorous, relatively easy to propagate, and long-lived.
How to Choose and Grow Tea Roses
Like the Chinas, Tea roses require good cultural practices well-drained, fertile soil, plenty of water, and, if possible, a sunny, sheltered spot. However, most are disease resistant and will tolerate extended heat and poor soil. Because they flower continuously, Tea roses should not be over-pruned. Teas are hardy from Zones 7 through 10. They flourish in the Southern United States, in California and in similar "Mediterranean" climates. Instead of being weaker, climbing tea sports tend to be of equal or greater merit than the originals. Begin with the Tea superstars if you are new to growing roses or in an area of questionable hardiness. If you can, grow them on a south-facing wall or in a sheltered spot.
The Best of the Shrubby Teas
Like the Chinas, Tea roses require good cultural practices well-drained, fertile soil, plenty of water, and, if possible, a sunny, sheltered spot. However, most are disease resistant and will tolerate extended heat and poor soil. Because they flower continuously, Tea roses should not be over-pruned. Teas are hardy from Zones 7 through 10. They flourish in the Southern United States, in California and in similar "Mediterranean" climates. Instead of being weaker, climbing tea sports tend to be of equal or greater merit than the originals. Begin with the Tea superstars if you are new to growing roses or in an area of questionable hardiness. If you can, grow them on a south-facing wall or in a sheltered spot.
The Best of the Shrubby Teas
Duchesse de Brabant has large, double, cupped blooms of a clear, luminous, shell-pink with a beautiful and intense raspberry fragrance. Its wavy leaves are a rich medium green. It is always in bloom. It forms an urn-shaped bush of 4' x 3' and is healthy, hardy, vigorous and easy to grow. An outstanding and deservedly popular rose.
Francis DuBreuil, the only "red" Tea rose, has perfectly-formed, double, dark crimson flowers with a silky/velvety texture and wonderful perfume. It has medium green wavy leaves. Francis blooms all season and tolerates hot weather and bad soil. It gets no taller than 4 feet.
Lady Hillingdon one of the great old roses. The Lady is renowned for her large blooms of soft deep yellow, graceful, scrolled apricot buds, abundant red-tinted, leathery dark green leaves and plum-purple new growth. She has a strong, delicious green tea fragrance and is both healthy and hardy (to Zone 6).
Maman Cochet (Marie van Houtte x Mme. Lambard) has large, globular, buffy peach-pink blooms loaded with tangled petals that are very fragrant. The classic, narrow buds are elegantly scrolled. There are few thorns, long stiff stems, and abundant dark green leathery leaves. Maman never exceeds 4 feet.
Mrs. B. R. Cant grows 6-8 feet wide and high, with huge cabbagey, pink/crimson blooms with a good tea scent. She is vigorous and very easy to grow!
Mrs. Dudley Cross produces scented, double flowers of pale yellow edged with crimson pink. She is thornless, disease-resistant, and tolerates poor soil. Did I mention she blooms continuously? 3-4 feet high.
Perle des Jardins has large, creamy-yellow, full blooms with tangled, silky petals and a button eye. Blooms appear singly and in sprays. It has dark green leaves, wine-red new growth and plum-colored wood. It has a pleasant fragrance and is constantly in bloom. It is excellent as a cut flower and has a climbing sport of equal merit. Perle usually reaches 4' x 3' but can be 'coaxed' to achieve up to 7 feet.
Safrano (Every reference says this is the most popular of all Teas; in fact, this is one of the world's favorite roses). In cooler weather, Safrano's large semidouble blooms are a creamy yellow/apricot blend with a coppery blush toward the center, which fades to cream in the summer sun. It has elegant, scrolled buds, few thorns and plentiful, dark green foliage with new growth of purpley bronze. Its fragrance is moderate, but it is always in bloom, and is vigorous, easy to grow, disease-resistant and hardy. It is an outstanding cutting rose. It grows to about 4' x 3'. According to Thomson, "this old rose is a pure delight to have in any garden." Isabella Sprunt is its pale yellow sport.
Souvenir d'un Ami (Mme Tillier/Queen Victoria) Another of the world's great roses. Abundant leathery, glossy, rich green ridged leaves backed with purple. Nearly thornless. Huge globular, perfectly-formed flowers packed with silky soft, light rose-pink petals suffused with a luminous yellow wash. Floriferous. Rounded, shrubby form. Drought-loving. Blooms year round. Keays wrote: "We wonder how Souvenir d'un Ami acquired its unusual blessings of perfect features, form, texture, color, fragrance, beauty and strength of foliage and perfect hardiness."
Francis DuBreuil, the only "red" Tea rose, has perfectly-formed, double, dark crimson flowers with a silky/velvety texture and wonderful perfume. It has medium green wavy leaves. Francis blooms all season and tolerates hot weather and bad soil. It gets no taller than 4 feet.
Lady Hillingdon one of the great old roses. The Lady is renowned for her large blooms of soft deep yellow, graceful, scrolled apricot buds, abundant red-tinted, leathery dark green leaves and plum-purple new growth. She has a strong, delicious green tea fragrance and is both healthy and hardy (to Zone 6).
Maman Cochet (Marie van Houtte x Mme. Lambard) has large, globular, buffy peach-pink blooms loaded with tangled petals that are very fragrant. The classic, narrow buds are elegantly scrolled. There are few thorns, long stiff stems, and abundant dark green leathery leaves. Maman never exceeds 4 feet.
Mrs. B. R. Cant grows 6-8 feet wide and high, with huge cabbagey, pink/crimson blooms with a good tea scent. She is vigorous and very easy to grow!
Mrs. Dudley Cross produces scented, double flowers of pale yellow edged with crimson pink. She is thornless, disease-resistant, and tolerates poor soil. Did I mention she blooms continuously? 3-4 feet high.
Perle des Jardins has large, creamy-yellow, full blooms with tangled, silky petals and a button eye. Blooms appear singly and in sprays. It has dark green leaves, wine-red new growth and plum-colored wood. It has a pleasant fragrance and is constantly in bloom. It is excellent as a cut flower and has a climbing sport of equal merit. Perle usually reaches 4' x 3' but can be 'coaxed' to achieve up to 7 feet.
Safrano (Every reference says this is the most popular of all Teas; in fact, this is one of the world's favorite roses). In cooler weather, Safrano's large semidouble blooms are a creamy yellow/apricot blend with a coppery blush toward the center, which fades to cream in the summer sun. It has elegant, scrolled buds, few thorns and plentiful, dark green foliage with new growth of purpley bronze. Its fragrance is moderate, but it is always in bloom, and is vigorous, easy to grow, disease-resistant and hardy. It is an outstanding cutting rose. It grows to about 4' x 3'. According to Thomson, "this old rose is a pure delight to have in any garden." Isabella Sprunt is its pale yellow sport.
Souvenir d'un Ami (Mme Tillier/Queen Victoria) Another of the world's great roses. Abundant leathery, glossy, rich green ridged leaves backed with purple. Nearly thornless. Huge globular, perfectly-formed flowers packed with silky soft, light rose-pink petals suffused with a luminous yellow wash. Floriferous. Rounded, shrubby form. Drought-loving. Blooms year round. Keays wrote: "We wonder how Souvenir d'un Ami acquired its unusual blessings of perfect features, form, texture, color, fragrance, beauty and strength of foliage and perfect hardiness."
Other Popular Tea Roses
Adam: The first Tea rose, with large, very double, soft peachy blooms of outstanding fragrance.
Catherine Mermet: Like a Hybrid Tea. Pretty, pearly blooms and beautiful buds. "One of the most perfectly-formed of all roses."
Devoniensis (Magnolia Rose): Discovered in Plymouth, England in 1838. Perfectly formed white blooms of sublime fragrance. Very tender. The climbing version is hardier.
Gilbert Nabonnand: Large, buffy-pink blooms on a vigorous, free-blooming bushy plant.
Leonie Viennot: Pale yellow and coppery-pink blooms. Vigorous, hardy and fragrant.
Marie Van Houtte: Similar to Mrs. Dudley Cross, but much larger and thornier.
Mme. Jules Gravereaux: Blooms are a soft pink/peach/yellow; foliage is dark and glossy.
Mme. Lambard: Its petals are suffused with various tints and have an exceptional fragrance. A favorite of Gertrude Jekyll's.
Mme. Bravy (Alba rosea/Mme. Serat/Adéle Pradel/Danzille/Joséphine Maltot/Mme. Denis/Mme. de Sertot/Mme Maurin) An outstanding rose, Mme has huge, gently nodding bell-shaped blooms in clusters. Each milk-white bloom has fluted edges.
Wm. Smith (Blush Maman Cochet/Charles
Mme. Jules Gravereaux: Blooms are a soft pink/peach/yellow; foliage is dark and glossy.
Mme. Lambard: Its petals are suffused with various tints and have an exceptional fragrance. A favorite of Gertrude Jekyll's.
Mme. Bravy (Alba rosea/Mme. Serat/Adéle Pradel/Danzille/Joséphine Maltot/Mme. Denis/Mme. de Sertot/Mme Maurin) An outstanding rose, Mme has huge, gently nodding bell-shaped blooms in clusters. Each milk-white bloom has fluted edges.
Wm. Smith (Blush Maman Cochet/Charles
Dingee/Jeannette Heller/Maiden's Blush/President Smith) A very popular rose, Bill has huge flowers, great fragrance, and is extra vigorous.
The Climbing Teas
Alister Stella Gray presents pretty scrolled buds and clusters of silky, lemon-blushed creamy blooms on long, thin stems. She has a delicious scent. A subtle and refined rose.
Cl. Devoniensis (Magnolia Rose) One of the great climbers, it has huge, lush, silky-petalled blooms of ivory/cream/primrose yellow blushed with pink/apricot. Intoxicating fragrance. A stronger plant than the original.
Gloire de Dijon (Old Glory) Along with Sombreuil, one of the most popular of the old roses. Its large, pale peach, ball-shaped flowers are crammed with tissue-thin petals, with a rich and delicious scent. An abundant floral display continues over a long season. Its plentiful, thick, glossy medium green leaves adorn arching, reddish canes. Like many of the best teas, it is hardy to Zone 6, and can tolerate some shade. Pemberton noted: "its delicious fragrance, the hardiness of its constitution and vigorous climbing habit," and said that Gloire was the first Tea rose that "could stand the cold of winter."
Cl. Lady Hillingdon All the traits of the original. Floriferous and fragrant with purple stems. An outstanding climbing rose.
Cl. Maman Cochet has very large flowers of exquisite form and delicacy in pink and cream. Like the original, but hardier.
Sombreuil One of the greatest of the old roses. Large, flat, clustered, creamy-white blooms are quartered with a button eye and have a sweet, intense scent. Sombreuil has dark green, glossy, leathery leaves. Peter Beales calls her "the most perfect of old roses." She tolerates heat and cold, and is unusual hardy, vigorous, recurrent and reliable. Her Fall display is exceptional.
How to use Tea Roses in the Garden
Because they are healthy and everblooming, with attractive foliage and a nice bushy shape, most Tea roses are excellent garden subjects. Keays believes that they are the best class of roses for general garden use.
Here are some suggestions for companion-planting the mid-sized, bushy Teas, using the principle of color echoes. The white-flowered plants are interchangeable.
Shepherd, Roy E. History of the Rose. NY: MacMillan, 1954
Steen, Nancy. The Charm of Old Roses. London: Herbert Jenkins, 1966.
Thomas, Graham Stuart. Climbing Roses Old and New. NY: St. Martin's, 1965
Thomson, Richard. Old Roses for Modern Gardens. Princeton, NJ: Van Nostrand, 1959.
Walter Branchi's Le Rose. A nursery in Italy with 61 varieties of Tea rose. Le Rose Nursery
With special thanks to The Totten Center at the North Carolina Botanic Garden in Chapel Hill for the use of their research library.
The Climbing Teas
Alister Stella Gray presents pretty scrolled buds and clusters of silky, lemon-blushed creamy blooms on long, thin stems. She has a delicious scent. A subtle and refined rose.
Cl. Devoniensis (Magnolia Rose) One of the great climbers, it has huge, lush, silky-petalled blooms of ivory/cream/primrose yellow blushed with pink/apricot. Intoxicating fragrance. A stronger plant than the original.
Gloire de Dijon (Old Glory) Along with Sombreuil, one of the most popular of the old roses. Its large, pale peach, ball-shaped flowers are crammed with tissue-thin petals, with a rich and delicious scent. An abundant floral display continues over a long season. Its plentiful, thick, glossy medium green leaves adorn arching, reddish canes. Like many of the best teas, it is hardy to Zone 6, and can tolerate some shade. Pemberton noted: "its delicious fragrance, the hardiness of its constitution and vigorous climbing habit," and said that Gloire was the first Tea rose that "could stand the cold of winter."
Cl. Lady Hillingdon All the traits of the original. Floriferous and fragrant with purple stems. An outstanding climbing rose.
Cl. Maman Cochet has very large flowers of exquisite form and delicacy in pink and cream. Like the original, but hardier.
Sombreuil One of the greatest of the old roses. Large, flat, clustered, creamy-white blooms are quartered with a button eye and have a sweet, intense scent. Sombreuil has dark green, glossy, leathery leaves. Peter Beales calls her "the most perfect of old roses." She tolerates heat and cold, and is unusual hardy, vigorous, recurrent and reliable. Her Fall display is exceptional.
How to use Tea Roses in the Garden
Because they are healthy and everblooming, with attractive foliage and a nice bushy shape, most Tea roses are excellent garden subjects. Keays believes that they are the best class of roses for general garden use.
Here are some suggestions for companion-planting the mid-sized, bushy Teas, using the principle of color echoes. The white-flowered plants are interchangeable.
- Clear medium pink: Duchesse de Brabant, Achillea ptarmica 'The Pearl', Monarda 'Marshall's Delight', Veronica 'Pink Shades', Lilium 'Casablanca', Digitalis mertonensis (pink foxglove), Buddleia 'Pink Delight'(pink butterfly bush)
- Soft apricot/yellow: Safrano, Eremurus 'Shelford Hybrids' (Foxtail lily), Digitalis grandiflora (yellow foxglove), yellow and peach Gerbera, Lilium candidum (Madonna lily), Buddleia 'White Bouquet' (white butterfly bush)
- Pale yellow-orange: Mrs. Dudley Cross, Agastache 'Snow Spike'(Anise Hyssop), Lantana 'Miss Huff', Phlomis fructicosa (Jerusalem sage), Coreopsis, Hemerocallis 'Hyperion', Hedychium (Ginger lily)
- Pale yellow/cream: Perle des Jardins, Asclepias incarnata 'Ice Ballet' (white butterfuly weed), Achillea 'Summer Pastels', Baptisia alba (white false indigo), Hemerocallis citrina, Phlox 'David', Penstemon 'Husker Red'"
- Buffy peach/pink: Maman Cochet, Digitalis 'Foxy' (apricot foxglove), Hymenocallis (white Spider Lily), Clematis montana 'Rubens', Lantana 'Miss Huff', buffy pink Pennisetum (Fountain grass).
Shepherd, Roy E. History of the Rose. NY: MacMillan, 1954
Steen, Nancy. The Charm of Old Roses. London: Herbert Jenkins, 1966.
Thomas, Graham Stuart. Climbing Roses Old and New. NY: St. Martin's, 1965
Thomson, Richard. Old Roses for Modern Gardens. Princeton, NJ: Van Nostrand, 1959.
Walter Branchi's Le Rose. A nursery in Italy with 61 varieties of Tea rose. Le Rose Nursery
With special thanks to The Totten Center at the North Carolina Botanic Garden in Chapel Hill for the use of their research library.
"...strength may wield the ponderous spade,
May turn the clod, and wheel the compost home;
But elegance, chief grace the garden shows,
And most attractive, is the fair result
Of thought, the creature of a polished mind."
-- Wm. Cowper, as quoted in Climbing Roses Old and New
May turn the clod, and wheel the compost home;
But elegance, chief grace the garden shows,
And most attractive, is the fair result
Of thought, the creature of a polished mind."
-- Wm. Cowper, as quoted in Climbing Roses Old and New
