Wednesday, April 7, 2010

A rose for tea lovers


This is obviously my week to get birthday presents early! Even though my birthday is a month away, my friend Deberah at work called me to her office on Monday to laughingly report that the birthday gift she had ordered for me had arrived much earlier than she had anticipated. She was so apologetic, but I am just thrilled! Even the box is pretty!

In fact, I got home that evening and (with help from DH) the rose was soaked in water for a bit and then went right in the ground!

Why am I so excited about a rose plant? Because it's the rose I've been wanting, the David Austin English rose Tea Clipper! This apricot colored, tea-scented rose (see it here) was patented in 2006 and honors the centenary of the death of tea trader Frederick Horniman.

I'll be babying this new plant for sure, and wouldn't it be lovely if it bloomed in May for my birthday?

15 comments:

Frivolitea said...

What a wonderful gift!!! I cannot wait to see the blooms.

Melanie said...

That is a gorgeous rose. I love old-fashioned-style roses!

Susan said...

Early is better!Those dormant roots
will get a head start!

GardenofDaisies said...

Sounds like it will be beautiful color!

parTea lady said...

Your birthday Tea Clipper rose will be gorgeous in bloom. It is in my favorite color palette for roses (pale apricot to bright coral). What a lovely gift.

Thanks for the bit of history and the links.

Jan said...

I love the box!

Steph said...

Oh, PLEASE keep us updated! :-)

ChaChaneen said...

Aaaaaaaaaaah, such a lovely and thoughtful gift! Just beautiful! It's so nice to have friends who really bless us with things that are so meaningful to us isn't it? Keep us updated on its progress!

Anonymous said...

Oh, how nice. I agree that it would be wonderful if they bloomed on your birthday. Thanks for sharing!

Linda J. said...

This rose bush is a very special birthday gift for a tea lover!

Bernideen said...

Hope this one blooms like crazy!

Ginger said...

What a great gift. I hope it has lots of blooms.

Mary Jane said...

Oh, lucky you, Angela. I also have this rose in my "Tea Garden". Nearby I have also planted Cup and Saucer Vine and Cup and Saucer Plant. There is also a Tea Plant, our beloved Camellia sinensis, in a large teacup planter nearby. I got it at the Charleston Tea Plantation for my birthday a few years ago.(I have to take her inside during our Ohio Winters.) Hope your Tea Clipper blooms for your Birthday! Can't wait to see your glorious blooms.

Marilyn said...

What a very special birthday gift. I will certainly look for that one. I have been telling my husband we need to take out the lawn and plant roses, lots of roses and other flowers too. Don't you just agree?

thesewingroomandmore said...

sounds like it will be beautiful! Can't wait to see pix of it in bloom.