Gardener's Monthly and Horticulturist - Volumes 4-5 - Page 200 (1862)
Limited Duration of Certain Varieties of Plants
By. C. G. Page, Esq., Washington, D.C.

The fate of the new Tea Rose, General Washington, affords a striking illustration of the theory originally put forth by Mr. Knight, of England, that every variety of plant had its period of existence. Many of us can remember with the celebrated St. Michael’s pear began to fail all over the world, and have witnessed the simultaneous disappearance or decline of other varieties in like manner. The General Washington rose was a beautiful and promising tea rose. It was sent out at a high price, five dollars, and I fear that its purchasers, fortunately few, will be disappointed. This Winter and Spring every plant of it here, large and small, cuttings and buds, in doors and out, “took sick” and died. The original bush is still alive, in the open ground where first reared, but is perishing slowly and certainly. This universal fatality gives evidence of an inherent constitutional defect, and illustrates the precocity of certain organizations, for, up to the time of the appearance of decline, it was apparently healthy and full of promise.

If those who received the rose will report its loss to me, I will see that they are furnished with a new variety gratis, (except the cost of transportation), of a superb Tea, with Noisette habit of growth after the manner of the Gloire de Dijon and America, the flower being very similar to that of Duc de Magenta.

The Magazine of Horticulture, 27: 222 (May 1861)
General Washington Rose.—This is the name given to a new, superb and distinct hybrid rose, raised by our correspondent, Prof. C. G. Page of Washington, D. C, who produced the Cinderella and America. The General Washington is a true Tea, of the highest order, and combines all the excellences of the best roses of this class. It is perfectly and generally of the color of its female parent, the old Tea *Mansais*, though variable from this and livelier, with pink shades among the outer petals, and cream color towards the centre. Its great charm, however, is in the bud when half expanded. In this state, which is retained for two days or more, it presents a perfect bell form, which is very distinct and uncommon in roses. When open it is entirely full and very large, and has never thus far shown a green centre, which is so apt to occur in the first class Tea roses. It is a very free bloomer, a vigorous grower, has a hardy habit, and the foliage is clear and handsome, being well fringed with the dark mahogany color, always indicative of healthful exuberance in the rose.