Of all the classes of Old Garden Rose, the Chinas and Teas have captured my attention the most this year.  There's something about them that really grabs me; I can only describe it as a 'lightness'.  The branches are light, thin, wiry and graceful.  The lleaves are rather thin, pointed and delicate in appearance.  The blooms are not big, long-lasting or notably fragrant... but they keep coming, nodding agreeably in the slightest breeze.  These plants are bloom machines. 

The two roses illustrated here (by Redoute') are 'Slater's Crimson China' (left) and 'Old Blush' (on the right.)  These are two of the original 'Stud Chinas', the plants that forever changed the face of the rose.  Perhaps it's the rich history that has me so enamored.  There's something about growing plants that have been propigated and passed on by cuttings for centuries that captures my imagination, for I am growing history.

These are fairly tender roses, and not suited to cold winter climes.  My Puget Sound marine influenced microclimate gives me a 1/2- to one zone advantage (Zone 8b) over much of my region; I am fortunate to be able to successfully grow many of the more tender roses.

The buttons to the left lead to photographs and information on these roses and how they perform for me, in my garden.

Many of these are new additions to my garden, and I may not have photos and full information posted ywt.  Please check back often, as this section will be undergoing a lot of changes in the near future.

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