The English Tea Rose
Honestly, when we talk about the English tea rose, there is really no concrete explanation of such thing. Several different explanations and definitions are given, and some defined the English tea rose as being a typical rose and some defined the English tea rose as mainly a type of tea. These explanations about the English tea rose in fact create a level of confusion to most people. But as my Literature teacher once said, “Confusion begets Knowledge”, I may rather be confused to gain knowledge.
Well, as what as I have learned, the English tea rose on the first hand is referred as any of several hybrid bush roses which is derived from a tea-scented Chinese rose with the color of pink and yellow flowers.
Historically, the English tea rose is said to have emerged as part of the English tea ceremony and tradition because according to the English folklore of tea, there was once upon a time a lady who was not granted to acquaint unescorted except in her rose garden. It is a common tradition that those who are bounded by social rules of etiquette to speak the roses. So with that, the concept of the English tea rose began to flourish as the popularity of the English tea was widespread in both the public gardens and English tea rooms. From then on, the concept of the English tea rose was applied even into the fashionable women’s tea gowns, and remarkably their beautiful bonnets were adorned with floral displays of roses that are usually ornamented in ribbon, silk and natural petals.
So from that concept of the English tea rose, the people then started to include roses for their tea rooms’ decorations.
In addition to the mentioned concept of the English tea rose, there is certain information which explained that the English teas are called as English tea rose because some originated in their blossoms the aroma of a fresh sample of the preferred tea. The English tea rose is said to have first introduced by the British into the West in 1810 and 1824, and the French followed hybridizing those English tea roses. Moreover, many enthusiasts considered the English tea rose as the most lovely form and pigmentation in the Rose cosmos. Because of the continuous spreading of the English tea rose, many people took the English tea rose to plant those English tea roses as greenhouse plants, and others tested the English tea rose if those English tea roses will develop by cross-breeding. From that, many English tea roses were produced.
As far as I know, the English tea rose has classifications. One of the most important English tea rose which is commonly associated in the history of tea is the Bourbon. This class of the English tea rose is huge, zippy, and with thick-limbed shrubs. The Bourbon English tea rose is also often perfectly healthy, and with wonderful shiny leaves. The color of this common English tea rose ranges from the English tea rose palette such as red, pink, white, blush, yellow, and oranges, but it is noted that the English tea rose also vary in colors of dawn such as tones of gold, warm pink, and rose shading into each other.
Lastly, for those who are really interested for more details, you better check out some fine books which deal with the English tea rose at a greater length.