Souvenir de Gilbert Nabonnand

Souvenir de Gilbert Nabonnand was created by Clément Nabonnand in 1920 which is rather late for a Tea rose. At that point the Hybrid Teas were already reigning supreme for 20 years. That's why this Tea is fairly unknown. It didn't had a period of popularity during the heyday's of the Teas (1840 - 1900).

Souvenir de Gilbert Nabonnand is a real chameleon regarding color so often is rather difficult to identify because it can look exactly like Archiduc Joseph, Général Schablikine, Monsieur Tillier and especially Clementina Carbonieri to name a few roses.

Flowers are medium sized, very full, cupped at first but turning rosette shaped with aging. Mostly they are borne solitary but they can appear in small clusters. Then the color or actually "colors": They can range from red to deep pink with a whole battery of shadings like yellow, orange, Apricot and even carmine pink at the tips of the petals. Blooms can vary in appearance from late spring to late Autumn. 

The one feature that's really consistent is their strong fragrance and many of her look-alikes don't have such strong scent 

Not a small shrub as she can get up to 3 meters or nine feet but that's only in ideal climates. Zone 6b to 10b, rain, heat and drought resistant. The only thing she really demands is a sunny, warm spot away from heavy winds. Pruning is also not her thing so try to put away those sécateurs or clippers.