Book  (1936)  Page(s) 373.  
 
Johnston, Desmond (HT) McGredy 1927; glossy scarlet, shaded orange and wine-red, base yellow-orange, reverse veined orange, shaded wine-red, large, well double, high-centered, fine form, lasting, fragrance 6710 (tea), floriferous, continuous bloom, autumn-bloomer, long stems, upright, growth 5/10, bushy. Sangerhausen

Website/Catalog  (1929)  Page(s) 45.  
 
New Roses 1928. Desmond Johnston HT. (S. McGredy & Son 1927) 2. .....Growth very poor and died back in winter.  Must improve to retain its place. 

Website/Catalog  (1928)  Page(s) 30.  
 
Rosiers nouveaux 1927....Pernetiana...
Desmond Johnston (S. Mc Gredy & Son). — Fleur d’un sup. coloris rouge écarlate brill. fortement retouché et teinté d’orange et rouge Bordeaux sur fond jaune orange, grande, pleine, de forme parfaite; parfumée; pédoncule long et ferme. Arbuste vigoureux, buissonnant, feuillage large vert foncé brillant. A obtenu deux médailles d'or et un cértificat de Mérite de la National Rose Society.

Website/Catalog  (1928)  Page(s) 28.  
 
New Roses 1928. Desmond Johnston (HT. S. McGredy & Son 1927) Brilliant scarlet, very heavily flushed orange and claret, with deep orange base. The outside of the petals are heavily veined and flushed orange, shading up to scarlet and claret. The colour does not fade even when the flowers are wide open The flowers are large full, of perfect conical shape and form; one of the best naturally shaped roses known. The petals are exceptionally large and of the heaviest texture, and the flowers have a faint Tea scent. The foliage is large, glossy, dark green, leathery and mildew-proof, on stout stems. Growth is sturdy, free and bushy, breaking and flowering with exceptional freedom.
Climbing habit. General impression of flower is red, the orange colour being quite secondary.

Book  (1928)  Page(s) 121.  Includes photo(s).
 
DESMOND JOHNSTON. (H.T.) Raised by Messrs. SAMUEL McGREDY & SON, Portadown, N. Ireland. This is really a type of Pernetiana Rose, but the H.T. predominates. The colour is a brilliant scarlet flushed orange and dark red, with deep orange base. The blooms are well formed and good shape when young, opening rather loosely when full. Faintly Tea scented. The habit of growth is fairly vigorous and branching, producing its blooms with much freedom. The foliage is bold and glossy, and as far as the plants in my garden go free of Mildew. It will make a good bedding Rose, and one we shall all want. In commerce.

Book  (1926)  Page(s) 181.  
 
Desmond Johnston Hybrid Tea.