Teas at Wairere Nursery

Teas

Tea Roses hail from the Orient and are an ancient cross (deliberate or otherwise) between Rosa gigantea and Rosa chinensis resulting in a rose we know botanically as Rosa x odorata, common name "Hume's Blush Tea-Scented China". Tea Roses are such a key part of the Rose story as they are one of the ancestors of the Modern Hybrid Tea rose we grow and exhibit today. John Reeves, a Tea Inspector for the British East India Company, based in China from 1812 to 1831, was especially passionate about these Roses and paid Chinese agents to collect specimens from areas that were forbidden to foreigners. Mr Reeves also patronized and exported to Britain large amounts of plant material grown by the Fa Tee Nursery in Canton. Such was the excitement of the day that paintings of the "China Teas" were commissioned and these can still be seen today in the RHS Lord Lindley Library in London.

These "new' roses were eagerly embraced by European horticulturists. The French and the Italians began making their own crosses which resulted in 250 new Tea Roses being introduced between 1830 and 1840. Sadly a series of hard European winters around the 1840's resulted in the decline of the Tea Rose as they did not do well in the cold damp conditions. Many popular varieties of the day are now thought to be extinct though they could still be growing, much loved but unidentified in secluded corners of the globe. Luckily for us the Tea Roses that were taken to Australia and New Zealand by early British settlers thrived in the warmer temperatures therefore ensuring their enduring popularity. We can thank British Rosarian Graham Thomas (the popular yellow Austin Rose bares his name) for fighting for the preservation of Tea roses in the 1960's. Eminent NZ Rosarians Nancy Steen and Trevor Griffiths also admired and wrote about the importance of Tea Roses and here at Wairere we are continuing the love affair with these most beautiful and desired roses. Check out some of our favourites:- Jean Ducher, Lady Hillington, Devonensis, Monsieur Tillier, General Galleni. Characteristics of the Tea Rose - Open growth habit - Silky petals with subtle colour tones - Distinctive pointed buds on slender stems - Cupped nodding blooms double or semi-double - Delicious distinctive fragrance - Will grow in sun or filtered light as long as it is warm and cosy - Long lived therefore require space to grow - Resent hard pruning – best just dead-headed regularly - Recurrent i.e. bloom continuously if in a warm sheltered spot

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8 LISTINGS FOR TEAS

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Anna Olivier

aka Anna Olivier

Tea. A lovely old 'Tea' rose. The elegant, nodding blooms are shaded apricot with hints of cream and rose pink. Mid green foliage and a lovely fragrance. Flowers appear almost continuously from spring through to autumn. Prune lightly for the best results.

Has French origins and dates back to 1872

Flower Colour: Apricot / Cream
Habit: Upright
Leaves: Deciduous, Green
Mature Size (HxW): 100cm x 100cm

Anna Olivier

We are not expecting to have this plant in 2026

Some recommended alternatives:
Jean Ducher Apricot Delight

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Archiduc Joseph

Tea. An outstanding Rose with open flat flowers that have a multitude of petals. The blooms are a pleasing blend of pink, copper and soft orange. The foliage is dark and glossy and the stems have few thorns. A delightful fragrance and generosity of bloom complete the picture. France 1872.

This rose is sometimes confused with Monsieur Tillier and vice versa as they are very similar in appearance however they are definitely different. Archiduc Joseph was named after a great plant collector - Archduke Joseph of Austro-Hungary.

Flower Colour: Pink / Yellow
Habit: Upright
Leaves: Deciduous, Green
Mature Size (HxW): 1.5m x 0.9m

Archiduc Joseph

Current Stock Height: 20/40 cm ?

Container: pb8 ?

WAS $45.99 LESS 20%
NOW $36.79

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Francis Dubreuil

Tea. A delicious old rose with long pointed buds that open to reveal fragrant, dark, velvety crimson red blooms that repeat throughout the season. Nice dark green foliage. Named after the French breeder who gave up being a tailor to breed roses. Good choice Francis. 1894.

Flower Colour: Red
Habit: Upright
Leaves: Deciduous, Green
Mature Size (HxW): 0.9m x 0.6m

Francis Dubreuil

We are not expecting to have this plant in 2026

Some recommended alternatives:
General Schablikine Archiduc Joseph

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General Gallieni

Tea. The General is a robust grower with relatively thornless stems. The blooms are cupped and quartered and a unique blend of rosy pink overlaid with cream with hints of buff, yellow and red. Delicious scent and nice glossy green foliage. Repeats well. France 1899.

Flower Colour: Pink / Cream
Habit: Upright
Leaves: Deciduous, Green
Mature Size (HxW): 1.2m x 1m

General Gallieni

Expected Stock Height: 20/40 cm ?

New stock expected Beginning of June, 2026. Waitlist now. Estimated price TBA. Payment on order.

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General Schablikine

Tea. A trouble free rose that blooms profusely from spring through to autumn. The fragrant blooms are double, quartered and a blend of cherry red and salmon pink. Foliage is blue-green. Nice to pick. Compact habit, minimal pruning, loves the sun. From France 1878.

In ideal conditions this rose may require support due to height.

Flower Colour: Red / Pink
Habit: Upright
Leaves: Deciduous, Blue
Mature Size (HxW): 100cm x 75cm

General Schablikine

Expected Stock Height: 30/40 cm ?

New stock expected Beginning of June, 2026. Waitlist now. Estimated price TBA. Payment on order.

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Jean Ducher

Tea. One of my favourite Tea roses. Nearly always in flower with very fragrant, semi-double peachy-pink flowers. A good example of the refinement and delicacy that Victorian rose-lovers so admired and just as lovely in today's gardens. The stems are relatively thorn free. 1873.

Flower Colour: Pink / Apricot
Habit: Upright
Leaves: Deciduous, Green
Mature Size (HxW): 1.5m x 1m

Jean Ducher

Expected Stock Height: 20/40 cm ?

New stock expected Beginning of June, 2026. Waitlist now. Estimated price TBA. Payment on order.

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Lorraine Lee Clg

aka Lorraine Lee

Climbing Tea Rose. A vigorous Rose from across the ditch with elegant, semi-double, open cupped blooms in shades of pink and apricot. Nice rich green foliage and dark stems and as you would expect with a Tea Rose, a delicious fruity fragrance. Flowers from spring through to autumn. Australia 1924.

Flower Colour: Pink / Apricot
Habit: Upright
Leaves: Deciduous, Green
Mature Size (HxW): 1.2m x 1m

Lorraine Lee Clg

Expected Stock Height: 20/40 ?

New stock expected Beginning of June, 2026. Waitlist now. Estimated price TBA. Payment on order.

White Maman Cochet

Sumptuous double flowers of creamy white with a touch of pink on the back. Fragrant. A tall shrub or can be grown as a climber. Blooms in flushes throughout the season

Flower Colour: White / Cream
Habit: Upright
Leaves: Deciduous, Green
Mature Size (HxW): 1.5m x 1m

White Maman Cochet

New stock expected Beginning of June, 2026. Waitlist now. Estimated price TBA. Payment on order.

8 LISTINGS FOR TEAS

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HL Nurseries Limited t/a Wairere Nursery
826 Gordonton Road, R D 1, Hamilton 3281 Ph: (07) 824 3430 Email: