The tea rose is a beloved flower that has decorated gardens for centuries. Their elegant, gently-curled petals and sweet fragrance make them a favorite for cut flower arrangements. But where does the name “tea rose” come from?
The moniker has a long history tied to hybridization, trade, and even politics. Understanding the origins of the tea rose’s name provides a window into the history of this iconic flower. Let’s explore the story behind why it’s called a tea rose.
The China Rose
The tea rose belongs to the Rosa x hybrida species, which encompasses most modern garden roses. But the first “tea” roses emerged from crosses between Rosa chinensis – the China rose – and other rose species.
The China rose originated in Asia and was brought to Europe in the late 1700s. These roses captivated Western gardeners with their tendency to bloom repeatedly in the growing season. This set them apart from more common Old Garden Roses that bloomed only once a year.
The China rose’s ability to bloom repeatedly was passed down to early hybrids. These combined traits of the China rose with those of European roses like gallicas, centifolias, and damasks.
Many early China rose hybrids had blush petal edges, which resembled a tea stain. This characteristic inspired the name “tea rose” for these groundbreaking remontant (repeat-blooming) hybrids.
The Tea Trade
Another theory suggests the tea rose got its name from the historical tea trade between China and Europe.
As the China rose made its way across the world in the 1700s, the tea trade was also flourishing. Porcelain, silk, and tea were among China’s major exports to the West through trade routes like the Silk Road.
Some accounts indicate China rose plants or cuttings were transported alongside tea shipments. The scent of tea roses on these ships may have reinforced the association between the flowers and the tea itself.
There may also be a connection to the clipping of tea rose flowers for potpourri. Dried tea rose petals and buds lent a sweet, tea-like fragrance to potpourri mixtures that were popular during the rise of tea culture in Europe.
So the scent and voyage of the China roses mirrored that of the tea trade. This could have been how the moniker “tea rose” first became entwined with these blooms.
Early Tea Rose Hybrids
The 18th and early 19th centuries saw the creation of the first intentional tea rose hybrids. These combined traits of China roses with other rose species.
A few pioneering hybrids that helped solidify the “tea rose” designation include:
‘Parks’ Yellow Tea-Scented China’ – One of the first intentional tea rose hybrids, created by John Parks in the late 1700s. The large, double blooms were creamy yellow with a tea fragrance.
‘Hume’s Blush Tea-Scented China’ – Bred by Sir Abraham Hume, this was one of the most influential early tea roses. It had recurving, blush-edged petals and a strong tea scent.
‘Adam’s Thesdall’s Nonsuch’ – Originated by William Thesdall and introduced around 1820, this tea rose had shell-pink flowers with a fruity fragrance.
These and other pioneering hybrids defined the class of roses that would bear the moniker “tea.” Their delicate colors, graceful flowers, and sweet scents helped the tea rose identity take hold.
The Tea Rose Today
While early tea roses frequently possessed a tea-like fragrance, this trait has become less consistent in modern varieties. However, the legacy of the name remains.
Today’s tea roses encompass many hybrids within the Hybrid Tea class of roses. Hybrid teas resulted from crosses between early tea roses and hybrid perpetuals.
They unite the repeat-blooming nature of early tea roses with wider color ranges and flower forms. Modern tea roses include favorites like ‘Double Delight’, ‘Mister Lincoln’, and ‘Peace’.
The original China roses and early tea rose hybrids also still exist as classified Old Garden Roses. They may not be as widely grown, but they provide a living connection to the origins of the tea rose name.
Some tea purists argue that only the original tea hybrids should bear the name. But the term “tea rose’ has evolved to have a much broader meaning in modern times.
Why The Name Has Stuck
The link between tea roses and actual tea is long broken. Many modern varieties lack the tea-like fragrance that inspired the name centuries ago. And the history of early tea trade and hybrids has faded over time.
Yet the iconic moniker remains attached to roses of a certain delicate beauty and grace. So why has the name stubbornly persisted?
A few key factors help explain tea rose’s endurance as a classifying term:
Romantic Marketing – The Regency and Victorian eras romanticized tea culture and trade with the East. The exotic, feminine connotations of the “tea rose” fit well with 19th century ideals.
Established Classifications – Early nurseries and horticulturists adopted the “tea” designation to classify remontant roses. Once in place, these formal classifications proved hard to shake.
Consumer Recognition – The term tea rose became entrenched over centuries of marketing and literature. While meanings evolve, the familiar name retains public recognition.
The power and poetry of the name “tea rose” made it stick, even as the roses themselves changed dramatically. Its long history has solidified its place in cataloguing roses.
Conclusion
While today’s tea roses would likely be unrecognizable to an 18th century gardener, their name continues a long tradition. The appellation first arose from China roses’ traits and travelled tea trade ties. But it was early pioneering hybrids that truly popularized the elegant “tea rose” label.
The tea rose identity persists not because of true tea links today, but thanks to history, romanticism, and consumer familiarity. Whatever its origins, the lyrical tea rose name is likely to endure for centuries to come.
