One of two old roses found by Natalee Kuser at the Blackwood Inn (est. 1864), Mullalyup in Western Australia. It was propagated by Patricia Routley and named "Blackwood Inn West" to distinguish it from the second old rose (possibly 'Safrano') which was given the temporary study name "Blackwood Inn East". It is not known how long the roses had been there although they were growing in the shade of poplars and have since been moved to elsewhere on the property. "Blackwood Inn West" is similar to 'Catherine Mermet' but seems to be a far more vigorous clone than that normally grown in Australia. "Blackwood Inn West" sets many hips.
The Blackwood Inn was a short distance from the old Hawters Nursery and it seems likely the rose came from there. Roses from the Hawters 1909 catalogue that sound vaguely similar are:
1832 ‘Mrs. Bosanquet’. Thorns, wide stipule, glandular pedicel, and new foliage with red edges seem the same as the U.S. foundling “Cottonwood….” which is said to be ‘Mrs. Bosanquet’.
1892 ‘Lady Henry Grosvenor.’ HT. Flesh. Probably not, was globular.
1895 ‘Sylph’ Tea. Ivory with pink
1896 ‘ Mademoiselle Lucie Jolicoeur’ Tea. After the style of ‘Catherine Mermet but had a carmine centre. ’
1897 'Mme. Augustine Hamont’ HT. Varying pink to flesh
1898 ‘Muriel Graham’ Tea Sport Catherine Mermet. Cream pink Probably not as no cream seen in the foundling.
1898 ‘Mrs. Robert Garrett’ . HT. Varying pink. Probably not as the colour sounds a deeper pink.
1901 ’William Askew’ HT. Bright icy pink. Probably not as it had paler edges.
1907 ‘Col. R. S. Williamson’ . HT. White, center blush.
Botanical Details of "Blackwood Inn West" recorded at Heritage Roses in Australia Rose Repository at Rustons Roses, Renmark, Autumn 2015.
INFLORESCENCE (including pedicel): Solitary and small clusters of 2 or 3 at this time, larger clusters photographed in spring; pedicels glandular with stalked and sessile glands and small prickles; upright when young, nodding as the flower opens
BUD: Medium to large; tapering to a point from the base; buff apricot, streaked red, opening to soft apricot-yellow.
SEPALS: Moderately foliaceous, glandular; fully reflexed in open bloom; apple-green with red streaks (may be seasonal). Characteristic 'starfish' of outward pointing sepals that is most conspicuous after the petals have fallen.
FLOWER SIZE & SHAPE: Medium - large (3-4 inches); 47 - 50 petals - not a great difference in size between largest and smallest petals; Open cup with over-lapping roll-edged petals; circular outline, petals roll back, some reflex to a soft point, some blooms have quilling.
COLOUR: Muted; Face of petals pinkish-cream with pale buff and apricot tones; reverse of petals slightly darker, paling towards petal edges; contrast between face and reverse gives beautiful soft shades and contrast where petals roll back. Yellow nubs.
PETAL SHAPE & TEXTURE: Outer: broad or rounded wedge - concave; inner: narrower, some with scalloped or notched tips; medium to firm.
STAMENS & PISTILS: Many stamens. Stamens: filaments bright yellow, anthers, gold; Carpels: style yellowish-green, stigma tinged red.
RECEPTACLE & HIP: Receptacle: small cup, slightly flared. Hip: moderate size, orange, shrivelling and reddish with age; seeds present. Characteristic 'starfish' of outward pointing sepals that is most conspicuous after the petals have fallen.
FRAGRANCE: Moderately strong, warm, sweet Tea.
LEAVES: 5-7 leaflets, obovate, broadening with age until they are almost oval; Short but definite point; new leaves dark purple-red, ageing dark green, the dark red edges persist on new growth for some time; shiny when young, ageing matt and leathery; relatively coarse serrations at top of leaflets.
BUSH: Large, tall, upright, strong branching habit, well-armed. Prickles numerous, long, narrow, straight, outward-facing to descending; reddish, ageing tan then silvery grey.
COMMENT: Bloom colour is like that of 'Safrano'. Appears to be a Hybrid Tea.
