Early Hybrid Teas

The early hybrid teas are the ancestors of the modern hybrid tea roses. This class of roses arose from more or less deliberate crosses with tea roses. The breeding goal at the time was repeat-flowering, pleasantly growing roses with full, elegant buds. 

The era of the historic hybrid teas is bounded by the introduction of 'La France' in 1867 and 'Gloria Dei' / 'Peace' in 1945. During this fairly long period the 'Pernetiana roses' also arose as a subclass. With 'Soleil d'Or'  they brought the colour yellow into modern rose breeding for the first time.

During the heyday of the hybrid teas, countless varieties of more or less value were created. Health was not always given priority, and vigour sometimes fell victim to the enthusiasm for the new colours and bloom forms. As a result, the early hybrid teas were almost completely displaced from the market by the modern hybrid tea roses. Many of the old hybrid teas were irretrievably lost. 

In later breeding work, however, many varieties were often and gladly used. Almost all modern shrub roses, bedding roses and climbing roses can be traced back to an early hybrid tea in at least one parent.