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wittejo
most recent 9 FEB SHOW ALL
 
Initial post 21 JAN by wittejo
This is my all-time favorite rose. I have moved it from 4 different residences. It is statuesque; its blooms are lovely and long-lasting; smell great; and the flowers don't look bad even after they're done. It's super healthy and vigorous even after all those moves. In January 2025 it is in the Jackson & Perkins catalogue--the first time I've seen it available in decades. Grab it while you can!
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Reply #1 of 2 posted 21 JAN by Robert Neil Rippetoe
I used to sell this one.

I agree. It is really lovely.
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Reply #2 of 2 posted 9 FEB by Kim Rupert
I had an introduction year bare root from J&P which I grew in my old Newhall garden for many years. It was a MONSTER! When the garden had to be dismantled due to construction, that beast literally required a backhoe to tear it from the ground. It was enormous and spectacular!
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most recent 23 JUL 21 SHOW ALL
 
Initial post 23 FEB 12 by SteveinAus
Saw some of these in the shops today and really loved the fragrance. Could definitely smell the myrrh in it. One of the better David Austin fragrances that I've smelled.
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Reply #1 of 7 posted 9 MAY 18 by HubertG
This was one of the worst Austin roses I've smelt. Nasty hint of cat pee. Luckily it didn't flower very much. Glad to get rid of it.
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Reply #2 of 7 posted 10 MAY 18 by Patricia Routley
Nothing at all to do with 'Tea Clipper' (but perhaps you needed to stand back and smell it.) A paragraph that caught my eye:

1975 Australian Rose Annual
p31. Dr. A. S. Thomas. Perfume.
.....The cat-like civet produces its perfume in a gland too. Known as 'civetone', it is extremely unpleasant in odour. However when very greatly diluted it becomes attractive and most useful as a perfume fixative.
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Reply #3 of 7 posted 10 MAY 18 by HubertG
LOL, 'Tea Clipper' must have LOADS of civetone.

I bought this rose solely because it was the only potted rose in the nursery sending out fresh new shoots in mid-winter. However that happened to mean it put out a lot of growth at the expense of flowers ... luckily.

I should add that someone I knew thought the fragrance was lovely. It's funny what some people can smell and others can't. A lot of the Austin roses are spoilt for me by some underlying unpleasantness in the fragrances. I think my favourite Austin fragrances were Evelyn and Jayne Austin and Sharifa Asma.
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Reply #4 of 7 posted 29 APR 21 by wittejo
My Tea Clipper hasn’t flowered at all! Meanwhile, it takes up space. I’m a bleeding heart when it comes to giving plants "one last chance," but this is ridiculous!
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Reply #5 of 7 posted 29 APR 21 by HubertG
Wittejo, count your blessings that you've never had to smell it, lol!
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Reply #6 of 7 posted 29 APR 21 by wittejo
Ha Ha! Imma take it out this weekend! (insert sinister laugh here)
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Reply #7 of 7 posted 23 JUL 21 by Clayton_7b_NC
Mine has not flowered either and is suffering from dieback from unknown causes. It has some new shoots though, so I'm still trying to nurse her.
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most recent 20 APR 20 HIDE POSTS
 
Initial post 20 APR 20 by wittejo
I had this rose at my old house and loved it. I wish I could find it for my current house.
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Reply #1 of 1 posted 20 APR 20 by Patricia Routley
There is a California nursery that lists ‘Amber Waves’. Look under. BUY FROM.
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most recent 16 OCT 15 HIDE POSTS
 
Initial post 16 OCT 15 by wittejo
This is a beautiful shot! Thanks for sharing!!
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