Mrs Fitzhardinge of New South Wales:

Some fine climbers and early hybrid tea bushes were bred by Mrs Fitzhardinge during the 1920’s and 1930’s. Unfortunately only a couple appear to have survived.

Lubra: 1938 Hybrid Tea. ( OpheliaCl x Blackboy seedling.) Deep crimson blooms of fully-double high-pointed style. Fragrant. A free-flowering, moderately-sized bush.

There is much confusion and incorrect information surrounding the birth of the Hybrid Tea. For many years “La France” has been cited as the first Hybrid Tea. This rose was introduced in 1867 and consequently this year was officially designated the beginning of the ‘Modern Rose’ era. However the confusion arises because throughout the 1800’s it was the practice for breeders to recognize only the seed parent when classifying a seedling.