Cut-flower rose (Florist's Rose); David AustinDavid Austin, 2013Red

Tess

Named after Thomas Hardy's novel “Tess”; the first true red cut-flower rose by David Austin.

Austin's first red cut-flower rose

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat flowering almost continuously (in a greenhouse — year-round; in the garden — in flushes)

Feature

Cut flower

Austin's first red cut-flower rose · vase life 10–12 days

Winter hardiness

−17 °C

USDA zone 7. Southern Ukraine outdoors; further north — reliable winter protection.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

120–130 × 60 cm

Habit: Compact, upright, strong-growing bush
Dimensions: 120–130 cm tall × 60 cm wide
Support: Not needed — a compact bush cut rose
Shoots: Sturdy, straight — convenient for cutting
Branching: Good

Flower

7–8 cm

Bud shape: Dense, dark red
Open flower: Very dense cupped, quartered rosette that opens into a saucer shape; diameter ~7–8 cm
Centre: Quartered; when fully open — golden stamens
Fullness: Very double, ~120 petals
Flower carriage: Mostly solitary flowers, 1–4 per stem

Fragrance

Weak; light, with a note of tea

Weak — light, with a subtle note of tea.

Disease resistance

3 out of 5

Black spotsusceptiblePowdery mildewsusceptible

In a greenhouse — resistant; in the open garden moderately susceptible to blackspot and powdery mildew.

Sun

5–6 hours

Full sun; at least 5–6 hours of direct light.

Thorns

Moderate

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

About 13 thorns per 10 cm of stem.

Foliage

Dark green, large, glossy, leathery; mostly 5 leaflets.

Other names

Breeder's code AUSyacht.

All characteristics in a table

Group: Cut-flower rose (Florist's Rose); David Austin
Breeder: David Austin, 2013
Bud shape: Dense, dark red
Open flower: Very dense cupped, quartered rosette that opens into a saucer shape; diameter ~7–8 cm
Centre: Quartered; when fully open — golden stamens
Colour: Rich velvet-red with raspberry and blackcurrant tones; the colour deepens as the flower opens
Fullness: Very double, ~120 petals
Flower carriage: Mostly solitary flowers, 1–4 per stem
Flowering: Repeat flowering almost continuously (in a greenhouse — year-round; in the garden — in flushes)
Fragrance: Weak — light, with a subtle note of tea
Hips: Cut (cut-flower rose)
Habit: Compact, upright, strong-growing bush
Branching: Good
Shoots: Sturdy, straight — convenient for cutting
Thorns: About 13 thorns per 10 cm of stem.
Dimensions: 120–130 cm tall × 60 cm wide
Support: Not needed — a compact bush cut rose
Foliage: Dark green, large, glossy, leathery; mostly 5 leaflets
Resistance: In a greenhouse — resistant; in the open garden moderately susceptible to blackspot and powdery mildew
Variations of the variety: Namesake of the garden rose “Tess of the d'Urbervilles” (1998) — these are DIFFERENT varieties; vase life 10–12 days

Colour scheme

Rich velvet-red with crimson and blackcurrant tones; the colour deepens as the flower opens

Rose neighbours

Munstead Wooddark raspberry

William Shakespeare 2000rich crimson

Darcey Bussellraspberry red

Icebergpure white · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Lavender 'Munstead'lavender

Gypsophilawhite

Catmint (Nepeta)sky blue

Lady's mantle (Alchemilla)lime green

Neighbouring roses

Deep red and crimson varieties hold a rich, velvety tone around Tess.

Munstead Wood William Shakespeare 2000 Darcey Bussell Iceberg

Perennial companions

White gypsophila and lavender-blue flowers lighten the deep red — a classic for cutting and the garden:

lavender 'Munstead'gypsophilacatmint (Nepeta)lady's mantle (Alchemilla)

Contrasting accents

White lace and silver — an elegant partner for the dark red:

GypsophilaStachys byzantinaAlchemilla mollis

More about the variety

Hips: Cut (cut-flower rose)
Variations of the variety: Namesake of the garden rose “Tess of the d'Urbervilles” (1998) — these are DIFFERENT varieties; vase life 10–12 days

How to grow

Where to plant. First and foremost as a cut rose — for bouquets and arrangements (vase life 10–12 days). In the garden — a compact bush in a flower bed or border, in a sunny spot.

Climate. Southern Ukraine — outdoors; in central and northern areas (USDA zone 7 is the borderline) reliable winter protection is needed.

Care. Sunny spot, spring pruning, removing spent flowers, prevention of blackspot and mildew, feeding twice per season.

About the name

Name. After the heroine of Thomas Hardy's novel “Tess of the d'Urbervilles”; directly inspired by Austin's garden rose 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' (hence the shortened name “Tess”). Breeder: David C. H. Austin (David Austin Roses), 2013 (in some registers — 2014). Patent code AUSyacht (US PP26677). Parentage: seedling × seedling.

Significance. The first true red cut rose by David Austin — bred to give florists a densely petalled red flower with the character of old garden roses. Vase life 10–12 days.

Frequently asked questions about Tess

Does Tess need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −17 °C (USDA zone 7). Overwintering depends on the conditions. Southern Ukraine outdoors; further north — reliable winter protection.

How many times a season does Tess flower?

Repeat flowering almost continuously (in a greenhouse — year-round; in the garden — in flushes).

How big does Tess grow?

120–130 cm tall, about 60 cm wide.

Which diseases affect Tess?

Overall resistance: 3 out of 5. In a greenhouse — good; in the open garden moderately susceptible to blackspot and mildew.

How much sun does Tess need?