THE TEGGE ROSE

A hundred and fifty years ago, a Prussian woman and her family left their home in search of a better life in America. Restricted from bringing non-essentials, she tucked a slip of her garden's rose into an apron pocket – a piece of home to keep forever. The cutting and the family settled in Texas, where their descendants still live to tell the story of the rose they all still grow and know as "Tegge", after the settler's family name.

The great, great, granddaughter of the Prussian gardener told us her mother's description of Tegge's growth habits:

."The rose doesn't grow tall, or climb. It just stays around 3-4 feet tall, but does root sprout in all directions (suckers). The pink blooms are about 3 inches across and have a wonderful smell. They only stay bloomed out just one day, then shed. They produce buds along the top of the bush."

The bush pictured at the bottom of page is pruned annually and produces blooms at various heights.  Also, Tegge flowers only once a year, in the spring.

Is this a well known old rose or a lost face refound in the world of rosedom?  I am fascinated by the story and proud to have been given a start of "Tegge", so as to post her watermarked image for others to view.

If you care to venture Tegge's possible identity, or believe it may be a here-to-for unknown, please click on the link below to go to our Heirloom Plants discussion board.