We Southerners often have the blessing of roses blooming in our gardens during the Christmas season. When we see them blooming on balmy winter days, they seem to be begging  us to bring them inside and put them in a vase.  The rose ‘Duchesse de Brabant’ is a perfect example of such a rose. 

Many of the old garden roses are especially suited to the American South. The “Tea” roses love to put on a show during the Christmas season. The “Tea” roses as a class are true horticultural antiques. Next time you are on the prowl for something old fashioned for your garden, try a “Tea”rose.  They are perfectly suited for Texas.  Many, many of the “Teas”are good but the old fashioned ‘Duchesse de Brabant’ is one of my favorite Christmastime roses. When cut and brought indoors it will fill a room with delicious fragrance.  When I speak of “Tea” roses, be careful to note that I’m not saying “Hybrid Tea”.  The “Tea” roses were being grown in the states well before the first Hybrid Tea” ‘La France’ was developed in 1867. 

‘Duchesse de Brabant’  is famous for being one of President Theodore Roosevelt’s favorites for he often wore a blossom from Duchesse de Brabant in his lapel.  But ‘Duchesse de Brabant’ is famous in our home because of Christmas.