(1979)  Includes photo(s).
 
Cover Photo.
p34. Comtesse du Cayla. 1902. China. Almost all the China roses of any consequence were introduced before the turn of the century, and ‘Comtesse du Cayla’ is perhaps the best of a dozen or so introduced in Edwardian times. I find this rose quite charming. The petal count is rather low, thus it is variously described as semi-double, or double, according to each writer’s whim. I think of it as semi-double, for it is at its most beautiful when showing off all its colours at the fully open stage. It is slightly scented, and colour varies according to the weather, with a combination of bright salmon-pink and orange, and yellow tints, especially on the reverse and at the base of each petal. Particularly attractive features are its dark green foliage and plum-coloured young shoots which consort happily with the pendulous flowers.

(1979)  Page(s) 11.  Includes photo(s).
 
The Edwardian era can therefore be looked upon as the first great era of the Hybrid Tea. ‘Gustav Grunerwald’ was one of hundreds of similar varieties and has come down to us today not necessarily as one of the best, but certainly as one of the strongest. Undoubtedly its breeding has something to do with this tenacity, for one of its parents ‘Mme. Caroline Testout’ is perhaps one of the strongest and most famous Hybrid Teas in existence.
Scent is one of ‘Gustave Grunerwald’s best attributes, and without question this factor won it popularity over many of its contemporaries. Another asset is tidiness, for it makes a shapely bush with fine foliage. The flower is attractive in colour, being carmine-pink with a tint of lemon becoming apparent at the centre when the petals are older and the flower is fully open. Held on a strong neck, the flowers are large enough for the show bench, and the twenty-eight petals hold their form well when cut. Fairly free of disease, this rose is worth growing even by gardeners who are not experts. Providing that liberal pruning is exercised in order to keep the bush from becoming leggy, it will grow quite happily without further attention.

(1979)  Includes photo(s).
 
1979. Peter Beales “Edwardian Roses” No. 4. 1979

Lady Alice Stanley. 1909. Hybrid Tea. This is the first rose from the famous McGredy stable to appear in this series of books. Although not the first of the McGredy roses, 'Lady Alice' was one of the first to make a real mark. Later, the McGredy roses, in particular their Hybrid Teas, were to become some of the most widely grown in the world......'Lady Alice Stanley' was probably one of the largest exhibition roses of the day, with some seventy-five petals. It was the sort of rose which would have been bought by every amateur who indulged in the popular pastime of exhibiting roses..... 'Lady Alice Stanley' was also a good basic garden rose, which fact certainly enhanced her popularity. Rare today, I feel it would not disgrace itself if grown alongside many modern pink varieties, and would probably lend character to new progeny of this type.

(1979)  Page(s) 27.  Includes photo(s).
 
'Mrs. Herbert Stevens', 1910. Hybrid Tea. Understandably, it was the sheer size of bloom and the classical, high-centred shape of ‘Frau Karl Druschki’ which prompted breeders to use it so extensively as a parent during the early part of this century, so that this rose was the progenitor of many good varieties. When Mr. McGredy crossed ‘Druschki’ with ‘Niphetos’ he must have sensed the potential result exactly; a large scented, shapely white rose. From all accounts the original bush form of ‘Mrs. Herbert Stevens’ was a reliable plant and proved popular for some considerable time; however it is as a climber that this rose is better known.....

(1979)  Page(s) 27.  
 
.... From all accounts the original bush form of ‘Mrs. Herbert Stevens’ was a reliable plant and proved popular for some considerable time; however it is as a climber that this rose is better known. The climbing form of ‘Mrs. Herbert Stevens’ was discovered in France in 1922, and since the popularity of the bush form was on the decline by then, its sudden urge to climb probably saved it from extinction, and ensured that our current generation can enjoy an exceptionally beautiful rose. There have been few good white climbing roses, and the fact that climbing ‘Mrs. Herbert Stevens’ is still in many nurserymen’s lists today, serves to indicate just how good and how important a rose it is. With the exception of ‘Mme. Alfred Carrière’, which is important for its tolerance of shade, I would rate this rose as one of the best of the older climbing varieties, certainly from among the paler shades. It has a strong scent, is very free-flowering during its main flush in early July and often repeats with a few flowers in autumn. Pointed and long, the buds open to four or five inches across. It does not like wet weather, but then few white roses do. If placed on a sunny, sheltered wall, its dislike of rain will not present a problem, and like all roses with a strong Tea ancestry, it will respond to any extra care. The foliage is a rich, deep green, though with a slight tendency to mildew later in the season, and is sufficient to provide ample cover to an unsightly wall or fence, especially one of dark colouring. Its vigorous nature makes it quite capable of climbing into trees, providing they are not too densely foliated.