@Moses, Bumping this thread, though it's not that old. I have two own-root Stiletto younglings (quarter-pot starter size) recently planted at the start of June. In just three weeks time, I already had a few blooms and they were exquisite. (I wish I would have taken photos, but I will next time, which will probably be soon - given new bud formation again). Although it is certainly much too early to make any solid statements about the overall performance of this rose in my scorching-hot and humidity-soaked zone 8A central Mississippi summer climate, I can in the meantime decisively confirm at least one particular quality that has surprised me: Stiletto blooms appear to last a few weeks! The petals do not fall off as the rose ages (unlike a number of roses which unremarkably "shatter" within a few day's time of unfirling). I've not noticed a SINGLE petal coming loose with Stiletto, even in full sun and after being inundated with the heavy downpour of a severe thunderstorm. Instead, the petals slowly harden off, gracefully drying out (not unlike some dried rose arrangements), and finally the entire flower head shrivels up, inevitably browns, then falls off at the node-neck break ("self cleans"). Throughout this transition, in full summer heat and scolding Sun, the rose color shifts as it ages; first, opening in a voluptuous plum-red (mostly red with hints of a violet cast, reminiscent of Santa Rosa plum skin color), then turning a more decidedly bold magenta, and ending with a provacative yet aggreeable purple at the onset of its drying out as it approaches browning. Hence, at the very least, it can be said that Stiletto demonstrates EXCEPTIONALLY stable blooms. I've not seen a rose hold on as tenaciously yet gracefully as this one [in recent memory], based upon over three dozen rose varieties currently in my collection to make that comparative assertion. Stay tuned for additional assessments to come, and some planned posted images.

Thanks Birds. Augusta Luise is not all like a typical hybrid tea. I don't know how large she'll get in SoCal, but she's a big girl here. (I live in zone 7, SW semi arid desert Idaho with hot, dry summers). My roses tend to be large. AL has a lovely, wide growth habit, is very healthy and an excellent bloomer with large fluffy blooms and a nice scent. She is near perfect, I think. Her color varies from light pink to apricots and a little darker, particularly in fall. We don't have fungal rose diseases here--too dry, so roses tend to be very healthy. She's not susceptible to any disease, but none of my roses are. I've grown her since 2013-14. She's grafted on multiflora, was bred by Evers in Germany for Tantau. I purchased her from Hortico, but that was the last year they sold her. She's hard to get. Palatine now sells her, but I think they're sold out. I hope you're able to grow her. Diane

Two other tea roses are red. I'm very in love with the larger one next to my porch steps. The new growth was flaming scarlet. It stands more upright where Peace wants to make a big wide U. The scent seems "perfect" rose to me, so damask. I can smell this rose when I open the door. Super wicked thorns. The other is in very poor condition, I got it to bloom last fall once but not yet this spring. It is very similar to this but not exactly the same. I may let it go (it has died back to the point that there is one cane a foot tall). My guess is they are Chrysler Imperial and Mr Lincoln. This is the healthy one of course.

what a sweet photo! little choo choo was certainly in the right place at the right time. wishing you much joy and love! the circumstances remind me of the little great dane puppy found running through traffic in st. louis. he was scooped up by a passerby and taken to the dane rescue there. it was always a mystery where he came from as no one claimed him. he was SO tiny, it was a wonder he wasn't smooshed! he was beyond adorable, they named him "dodger" for obvious reasons and he was adopted by a friend of mine. lived to the ripe old age of 12 years.