Bon Silène. Introduced in France by Eugene Hardy, 1837.

Not that many years ago, when I first laid eyes on 'Bon Silène', I was less than impressed by its "ordinary" look. However, feeling that it was worthwhile to add it to my meagre Tea collection, I obtained a cutting. I'm glad I did. Although this is a far less full blossom than many other Teas, it is a lovely thing, with shapely buds of a silvery pink with deeper tones deep in the unfolding bloom. It has that special opalescent glow to its petals that only the Teas seem to possess. Hardly just another pink. It has a pleasant Tea fragrance as well, although not as strong as many others.

'Bon Silène' is a strong grower and a wide shrub at maturity. It will easily attain a width of 8 feet or more, and a height of 5 to 7 feet. (It is a somewhat horizontal grower) It is highly resistant to Blackspot under most conditions, but may suffer from mildew when the nights are cool and days are warm and dry. Of course, 'Bon Silène' is not going to be reliably Winter hardy in climates colder than USDA Zone 7, and even in Zone 7 it will suffer freeze damage most years. A very lovely rose with much grace and charm for a warm climate. (The Teas in general love heat)