I have the Comtesse, and she is on her third Summer here. This rose is lovely here, but is a very slow grower here too. Mine is from RU. Jeri reported somewhere that hers was so slow she ejected it from her garden. I tried a 2 gal of fish/kelp boost a week ago to see if that helps. I'm keeping mine, but it looks out of place with all the others so much larger. Here, the bloom is normal, just the bush growth is behind. It is probably 2.5 ft tall and all the other Teas planted at the same time are double that.

Sheila's right. It was a long time ago now, but I don't think she ever bloomed. I have a LOT of patience, but I finally gave up.

Jeri, you have a lovely photo on HMF. I cannot understand how this rose is a child of Papa Gontier and Comtesse Festetics Hamilton since those are both vigorous and large. I really don't get that.

Thanks for the replies and pictures. I don't mind at all if it remains short, but it's going to have to start blooming regularly if it wants to stay. I'm going to bump it up to a slightly bigger pot and give it some fish emulsion.

The earliest reference says the Comtesse Emmeline was very vigorous and floriferous, and the Vintage reference mentions tall basals. That doesn't sound like the Comtesse I'm growing.

Nor mine Belle. I might try another boost too.