I live in the inland Northwest (east of the Cascades), where summers are scorching and winters are considerably colder than in Seattle, and where extended periods of sub-zero weather are the norm rather than the exception. And yet this lovely plant is thriving here. I grow her against the south wall of our house, and mulch her up like crazy for winter. She was slow to establish (she's three years old now), but being a refined lady, she produced incredible blooms even in her first year. I'd say that the only thing the cold has done to her here is make her a more compact shrub than she is in the South. Growth is typical Tea--twiggy, a lovely grey-green, with thin, feminine new foliage rimmed in red. The darker pink-colored outer petals are more pronounced in the cool Spring and Fall weather than high Summer, but they always reflex back in such a pretty way that I don't care! Some blooms are quilled, some merely reflexed--it's a joy to see what each day will bring.

I fell in love with this rose after seeing a photo in a Graham Thomas book, where it was, oddly enough, growing in the deep shade of a tree. She's in full sun here, but she is not a heavy drinker. Her out-of-the-way position means I've occasionally forgotten to water her weekly--she never seems to mind, only slows her growth a bit. In my opinion, she richly deserves her Earth-Kind status. She has a scent, but it's very light indeed--I'd call it "fresh".

Antoine was my perfect "first-time" Tea--forgiving, rewarding, encouraging. only asking that I respect her heritage, and keep her warm. She taught me that, with careful placement, even I could grow Teas. She makes me thrilled about my garden's future. I never knew what kind of rose that silk roses were trying to imitate, but now I do, and she's right out there in my own back yard!