Rose and Comfrey are two of my allies I chose for my participation in the Springfield Sanctuary Apprentice program this year. Wanting to incorporate these lovelies in every way I could think of, in my life this year, I decided to redecorate the wall above my kitchen table.
The two rose prints I found at a yard sale many, many years ago. They were just so beautiful, I had to buy them. They have travelled with me through my life’s journey for at least 25 years now.
I have been enamored with learning the history of roses, and in particular, how they have received their names. In the course of pursuing this, I have had to learn new terms, such as “sport”, which refers to when nature pulls a genetic surprise and creates a new rose from another! I explain this term as it comes up in this bit I could find out about the Alfred K. Williams rose. Seems A. K. Williams is the sport of a French rose named General Jacqueminot, who was an offspring of Glories des Rosomanes and Geant des Batailles. From what I can figure out from different sources it was introduced in 1877! (1877 — Schwartz, France)
From The Garden: An Illustrated Weekly Journal of Horticulture and All Its Branches, March 24th, 1894:
A.K. Williams When this Rose was sent out in 1877 by Monsieur J. Schwartz it was considered to delicate a grower...However, now it has got over the strain of excessive propagation, I find it a fairly good grower and hardy....it has probably won the medal as bieng the best Hybrid Perpetual in the show oftener than any other Rose...it is one of the most perfect Roses of its type-imbricated...Deep carmine-red when first opening, changing to a more or less magenta hue with age, every flower bold and upright, with good lasting powers and exquisite fragrance...It is not so long-lived as many when grown upon the Manetti...the Brier stock gives a more lasting bloom, and is much the best for autumnal flowering. A.K. Williams is useful for forcing, making a near, compact plant, and carrying from three to twelve blooms at one time in a 6-inch or 8-inch pot.
and from the same magazines in 1882:
Rose (H.P.) Alfred K. Williams. This beautiful Rose was sent out by Schwartz, of Lyons, in the autumn of 1877, and flowered for the first time in my Rose garden the following summer. From the very first flower I...discovered that it was a Rose of great promise...A few complaints have been heard regarding its being a weak grower...misgivings to which I give no credit...I find it does well as a standard, and also on the Manetti, but I am inclined to think that the Brier is the best stock for it. Colchester. B. R. Cant...
In growth I should describe A.K. Williams as being between Duke of Wellington and Lord Macaulay....growth may be set down as moderate. The wood is thorny, the spines being what the rosarians call red. The form of the flower is perfect, being beautifully imbricated and of the brightest carmine-red...No Rose, if I omit Gloire de Dijon and La France, is more thoroughly perpetual....As regards constitution or durability, can it rank with Alfred Colomb...?I fear not...One great thing...is that it grows alike freely on Manetti, seedling Brier, and standard Brier.
(this information was found on this website)
Now the next one says Monsieurs E.Y. Teas and Jean Liabaud, two different roses in one pictures. From the same source I find scant information on either rose.
E.Y. Teas
Hybrid Perpetual. Pink. Strong fragrance. Blooms in flushes throughout the season. USDA zone 6b through 9b (default). Eugène Verdier fils aîne (1874)
Jean Liabaud:(1875 — Liabaud, France)
Hybrid Perpetual. Crimson, darker shading. Moderate fragrance. Large, full (26-40 petals), borne mostly solitary, in small clusters, cupped, scalloped bloom form. Occasional repeat later in the season. USDA zone 6b through 9b (default). Jean-Pierre Liabaud (1875).
The other picture I know exactly where it came from. A dear friend named Lucinda xx
Hugs to all who visit Comfrey Cottages xx
