A Tea rose introduced from China in 1809 by Hume. The correct name of this rose is now Rosa x odorata ‘Odorata’, and it is the ancestor of many of the Tea roses. It is an old Chinese garden rose, first brought to Europe from Canton in 1809 to the garden of Sir Abraham Hume at Womley Bury, Hertfordshire and named in honour of his wife. Cuttings of the original plant were taken by the nurseryman John Kennedy to Malmaison in 1810, and it was illustrated by Redouté in 1817. This shows the globular, pale pink flower with few long petals, hanging on an arching stalk. By the early 20th century the plant appeared to have become extinct in Europe, but was rediscovered in Bermuda, where it was called ‘Spice’. While looking for the wild Rosa chinensis in Sichuan, Roger and I found a very similar plant in a small village gardennear Pingwu, among other old roses. It is low growing, with stems to 2m at the most, with few thorns, and repeat-flowers well. Parentage: an ancient hybrid between Rosa gigantea and Rosa chinensis. Current stocks of this are thought to be correct by Peter Beales and Sangerhausen Rosarium. Phillip Robinson in a talk given in Charleston does not agree that this is the correct rose. As this is one of the origional Teas imported from China we have also included it in the Wild Rose Section. Also compare it to 'Agnes Smith' from Australia. Photographed at the garden of M. and Mme. Masquelier Lyon France, by Bill Grant.