Book  (1940)  Page(s) 247.  
 
New Roses of All the World. Description sent by originator on American Rose Society’s standard card. ‘Governor Phillip’. CHT. (Mrs. H. C. Fitzhardinge; intro. by Hazlewood Bros., 1939.) ‘Ophelia’ seedling x ‘Black Boy’. Bud large, long-pointed; flower large, very double, open, unusually lasting, intensely fragrant (old rose), ruby-red, flushed dark peony-red, sometimes almost black, on long stem. Foliage abundant, large, leathery, glossy, dark bronzy green. Vigorous, climbing; blooms October to April (in Australia).

Book  (1940)  
 
p91 John Poulsen. South Island Roses, N.Z. ‘Governor Phillip’. No sign of climbing growth so far, but it has given some good lasting blooms of fine shape and good colour. It seems to have possibilities.

p100 Harry H. Hazlewood. Rose Development. Other hybridists have helped to enhance the reputation of Australian Roses. Mrs. H. C. Fitzhardinge has contributed with ‘Governor Philip’ and....

p121 Mr. S. J. Bisdee. Tasmanian Rose Notes. ‘Governor Phillip’. Up to the present this is disappointing. The two or three blooms it gave me turned a dirty brown, and would not even open properly. After our Editor’s comment on it in the “Annual” of last year I was looking forward to something really good; perhaps I may yet get it. Growth was quite fair.

Website/Catalog  (1940)  Page(s) 22.  
 
New Roses, 1939. ‘Governor Phillip’ (Clb. HT). (Mrs. H. C. Fitzhardinge, 1939). F.6. A vigorous, healthy climber producing high class, rich ruby red exhibition blooms which are flushed dark paeony red and are sometimes almost black. An improvement on ‘George Dickson’ as it has stronger stems and healthy foliage. Rich sweet scent. Everywhere. 2/6 each.

Book  (1939)  
 
p24 Harry H. Hazlewood. The New Roses of 1939. ‘Governor Phillip’ (Mrs. Fitzhardinge, 1939) is a vigorous climber with rich crimson exhibition blooms like a refined and proud ‘George Dickson’. Unlike that variety, it holds its head firmly erect and is not prone to mildew. Mr. T. A. Stewart saw this in flower in the raiser’s garden, and was very impressed with its quality.

p105 Editor [T. A. Stewart] Roses of Australia. Governor Philip. Clb. H.T. (Mrs. H. C. Fitzhardinge, 1939). - A vigorous healthy climber producing high class, rich, ruby red exhibition blooms which are flushed dark paeony red and are sometimes almost black. This variety is a seedling from Ophelia x Blackboy, and the blooms have been described as a glorified George Dickson, without the weak neck and with robust healthy foliage and growth. The blooms are richly fragrant with the old rose sweet scent, and made a very great appeal to Mr. T. A. Stewart when he saw them in the spring of 1937.

Website/Catalog  (1939)  Page(s) 33.  
 
New Australian Roses.  Governor Phillip (Clb. HT. Mrs. H. C. Fitzhardinge 1939) A vigorous, healthy climber producing high class rich ruby red exhibition blooms which are flushed dark peony red and are sometimes almost black.  This variety is a seedling from 'Ophelia' x 'Black Boy' and the blooms have been described as a glorified ‘George Dickson’ without the weak neck and with robust healthy foliage and growth.  The blooms are richly fragrant with the old rose sweet scent, and made a very great appeal to Mr. T. A. Stewart when he saw them in the Spring of 1937.  3/6 each.

Book  (1938)  
 
p57. T. A. Stewart. A rose that appealed strongly to both Mr. Hazlewood and myself was a very rich dark red climber* which seemed to have all the attributes of a good Rose, and appeared to be quite the equal of anything in commerce at the present time. I hope that this may soon be released, as I am sure Rose lovers in Australia will welcome the opportunity of growing this.....
*Footnote: Mr. Hazlewood advises that this Rose is being propagated for 1939 and will be sent out under the name of ‘Governor Phillip’.