Website/Catalog  (8 Aug 2016)  Includes photo(s).
 
George (Simetna) Exclusive! Large and shapely Hybrid Tea style flowers, with very unusual and attractive mahogany brown / dark red blooms produced in large numbers on very strong upright stems and growth. New Zealand Rose from Nola Simpson. Repeats well into autumn with mid green glossy foliage. Fragrance: Light. Bush Rose Height : 90cm / 3ft. Breeder's code: Simetna

Book  (2006)  Page(s) 51.  
 
Nola Simpson and John Ford. Breeding for Chocolate Brown Colours in Roses.
The quest to breed chocolate brown roses commenced around 1970 when by chance a seedling from the rose 'Orangeade' (see Fig. 1) as seed parent produced brown tonings - this led us to try this seedling as a seed parent using a variety of pollens. When Le Grice produced 'Jocelyn' (mentioned earlier), the pollen of this was used to produce eventually 'Tane' (SIMetna), which was a mahogany velvety brown hybrid tea type floribunda. This rose had the very distinctive glossy dark green holly-like foliage characteristic of 'Jocelyn'.

Book  (2000)  Page(s) 543.  
 
'SIMetna', F, r, 1979; (Tane); Description; ((Orangeade x Megiddo) X (Unnamed seedling X Jocelyn); Simpson, J. W.

Book  (Dec 1998)  Page(s) 308.  
 
[Under the listing for 'Hot Chocolate', Tana figures in that rose's parentage.]

Book  (1993)  Page(s) 57.  
 
Dawn Chisholm. North to Cape Reinga. ....We had now been joined by Don Norman, and his local knowledge kept us informed with many interesting facts. Inside Waipoua Forest, we left the bus and walked a very short distance to view Tane Mahutu, Lord of the Forest, and the largest known kauri in New Zealand.

Book  (1987)  Page(s) 110.  
 
Final Analysis 1986-87
'Tane'. Simpson 1980; mahogany brown; 35-40 petals; 38 reports; 74 bushes; 1-11 years; 1. 5 m; 7.5 rating. A very good, locally hybridised rose in the brown tonings which are so loved by floral artists. A worthy successor indeed to E. Le Grice's efforts of earlier years. The unusual, velvety brown H.T. shaped blooms come in large and small clusters on a strong growing bush that is clothed n unusual dark, glossy, pointed foliage. Unfortunately, red spiders love it, but the general health of this cultivar is excellent in all districts. It is best planted in partial shade as the old petals do not drop cleanly and, therefore, look very untidy. The bush is quite sprawling. An excellent rose, giving lots of blooms, fast repeat and it is excellent for floral work. It will always be a talking point.

Book  (1986)  Page(s) 332.  
 
'Tane' (SIMetna) F. (J. W. Simpson, 1979). ('Orangeade' x 'Megiddo') x (Unnamed seedling x 'Jocelyn'). Bud pointed; Fl. russet, dbl. (38 petals), HT-form, blooms borne 4-10 per cluster; no fragrance; Fol. small, dark, very glossy; short, straight, dark brown prickles; Vig., upright growth; r.

Book  (1986)  Page(s) 117.  
 
Don Sheppard. Review of Newer Roses for 1985-86 Season
'Tane' Simpson, 1980. ('Orangeade' x 'Megiddo') x (Seedling x Jocelyn'). Mahogany, 35-40 petals 6 reports, 13 bushes 2.9 years. 1.5m. 7.5 rating. The unusual colour is better in partial shade and the plant is at its best in spring and autumn as the colour ages badly in hot sun. The HT type blooms come in large and small heads, with unusual dark, glossy, green, pointed foliage. The old petals do not drop quickly. The bush grows very well for Franklin and Manawatu; elsewhere it makes a smaller bush. Wanganui says it is well worth growing - if obtainable.

Book  (1985)  Page(s) 53.  
 
Don Sheppard. Review of Newer Roses for 1984-85 Season. Floribundas.
'Tane'. Simpson 1980 ('Orangeade' x 'Megiddo') x (Seedling x 'Jocelyn') 35-40 petals, Mahogany red. 6 reports. 132 bushes, 1-7 years, 1.25 metres, 7 rating. The worst report on this rose came in from Timaru where they say the blooms bum very badly, but last well, the repeat is slow and the bush is sprawly. Sounds pretty bad, let's look at Nelson's report which says the HT shaped blooms come in well formed heads and the colour contrasts very well with the light green pointed foliage. Lower Hutt find 'Tane' to be unusual and they like the small velvety buds especially. Franklin comments that the foliage is almost 'Holly like' in shape, shiny and healthy. They say it is ideal for floral work. From its home town Palmerston North we read it is best planted in a shady part of the garden. The old petals could drop a little more easily. There is a good contrast between bloom colour and foliage. The blooms are always of HT form and shape.

Book  (1983)  Page(s) 33.  
 
Don Sheppard. Review of Newer Roses for 1982-83 Season. Floribundas.
'Tane'. (Not given breeder or breeding) 6 reports, 1-8 years, 3', 7.6 rating. Mahogany red. Northland report a fast repeat, glossy healthy foliage, good habit and it is worthwhile. Feilding report a good brown colour, good picker, strong plant but taking some mildew. Hutt speaks of nice velvety petals, and Nelson say the pointed foliage is a light green. Manawatu finds that the petals hold on too long. Generally it would appear to be a grand rose in this colour.