109 Modern Roses: Hybrid Teas
Description
This article is from the Rose Gardening FAQ, by Bill Chandler chandler@austin.ibm.com, Jolene Adams jolene@cchem.berkeley.edu, Brent C. Dickerson odinthor@csulf.edu, Karen Baldwin kbaldwin@veribest.com, and many contributors
109 Modern Roses: Hybrid Teas
Breeders during the last third of the 19th century were all trying to bring
a "different" rose to the buying public. One that was shaplier, had a
different color or shading, had a better garden habit, could win those rose
competitions and bring fame to their ventures.
Hybridizers of the day crossed all kinds of roses with the reigning Hybrid
Perpetuals, looking for that elusive "something" to gain the advantage. They
didn't keep very accurate breeding records (some still don't) so often
parentage of the earliest Modern Roses is in doubt. There were many
interesting roses developed in this way, all considered at the time to be
just another Hybrid Perpetual or Hybrid Bourbon. But slowly a number of
characteristics were being pulled together into a fairly recognizable "look"
for these new roses--soon to be given the name of Hybrid Tea.
The "first" Hybrid Tea is generally said to be 'La France', raised by
Giullot in 1867. It was an accidental discovery in the field by a man who
was trying his best to develop a bright yellow large-flowered rose. It had
long, pointed buds, silvery-pink blooms with a bright pink on the outer side
of it's 60 petals, was quite fragrant, and the bloom was large for the
time--almost 5 inches across when fully open. Not very spectacular today,
but a knockout in its day. The high, pointed bud and the slow unfurling of
the spiraled petals was a presage of things to come.
Hybrid Tea roses gained popularity because of their dramatic look: a long
stem for easy viewing and cutting, the prominent pointed center of the
unfurling bud, a smaller bush and the repeat blooming characteristics
desired by the average gardener. Even small city gardens could have a few
Hybrid Tea bushes.
Early Hybrid Teas: 'Captain Christy', 'Jean Sisley', 'Duke of Connaught',
'Grand-Duc Adolphe de Luxembourg', 'Viscountess Folkestone', 'Mme. Caroline
Testout', 'Kaiserin Auguste Viktoria', 'Antoine Rivoire', 'Viscountess
Falmouth'.
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