July 2008
Mary Peterson, Horseheads, NY
This lovely but often overlooked cultivar has an interesting name and a delightful barely semi-double, 3” white bloom that has lip-shaped edges on the petals that are tipped with delicate pink as if the bud had been kissed by a goddess.
The bloom opens flat and has a fairly rich Damask fragrance. The matte foliage has an apple scent which reinforces the claim to Eglanteria ancestry.
'Hebe’s Lip’ is classed as an Eglanteria but some authorities consider it more like a Hybrid Damask. It was introduced by William Paul in 1912 but again, according to some rose historians, it was bred by Lee prior to 1846 which qualifies it to be exhibited in the Dowager Queen class at an ARS rose show.
The plant is manageable for a small garden reaching only about 3’-4’ at maturity. Depending on your location, the plant may be a bit sprawly, but accepts gentle direction with judicious pruning and support.
The name for this rose comes down to us from Greek mythology. Hebe was the cup bearer to the gods and in this capacity she served the gods the nectar of eternal life and youthfulness. She was the daughter of Zeus and Hera and the princess in the family. But as luck would have it, Hebe’s gown slipped while in service to the gods and she suffered a “wardrobe malfunction”. Her exposure caused the gods to censure her indecency by relieving her of her duties.
Hebe would later marry Hercules and together they had two children, Alexiares and Anicetus.
Perhaps Sir Thomas Moore said it best:
| See the glass, how it flushes, Like some young Hebe's lip, And half meets thine, and blushes That thou shouldst delay to sip. Shame, oh shame unto thee, If ever thou see'st that day, When a cup or lip shall woo thee, And turn untouch'd away! Then, quick! we have but a second, Fill round, fill round while you may, For Time, the churl, hath beckon'd, And we must away, away! |
Photo, courtesy of Paul Barden
