The Beautiful Elegant Teas

I am fortunate to be able to grow some of these antique roses, whose heyday came (and went) in the 19th century.

'Blake Tea', found

Tea roses do very well in warm climates, having originated in China.

Rubens, Robert, 1859

The division of early Teas and Chinas into separate rose classes is somewhat arbitrary and based mostly on appearance and scent (Chinas being smaller and less fragrant).

Comtesse Festetics Hamilton, Nabonnand, 1892

Teas were extensively hybridized, but finally ceded their popularity to Hybrid Perpetuals and Hybrid Teas (originally crosses between Teas and Hybrid Perpetuals). Unlike these latter groups, Tea roses nod their flowers, a good thing in a landscape as the flowers on a big bush look at you rather than straight up.

Souvenir de Pierre Notting, Soupert&Notting, 1895

I really cannot describe these roses any better than author Shirley Hibbert in "The Amateur's Rose Book", mentioned in Dickerson's "The Old Rose Advisor":

Susan Louise, Adams, 1929

"They bewilder the susceptible rosarian by their exquisite elegance of form,

Maman Cochet, Scipion Cochet, 1892

delicary of colour,

'Francis Leake', found

Souvenir de Mme Leonie Viennot, Bernaix, 1898

and peculiarly refreshing fragrance,

Devoniensis, Foster, 1838

which, though likened to that of a newly-opened sample of the choicest tea, is really distinct,

General Schablikine, Nabonnand, 1878

and [...] the most refined and blessed fragrance obtainable in the garden of the world."

Souvenir d'un Ami, Belot-Defougere, 1844

 I don't know about you, but I definitely belong in the "susceptible rosarian" category:-).

Souvenir de Gilbert Nabonnand, Clement Nabonnand, 1920

All these pictures were taken at the San Jose Heritage Rose Garden.