Book Reviews

'A Life with Roses'

by David Ruston, with Sue Zwar
Rosenberg Publishing Pty Ltd, 2011. ISBN 9781921719097. Hardback with dust jacket, 232 pages. $50 from Rosenberg Press, or (signed) from David.

A Life with Roses is a delightful tale, a piece of history and a meandering wander of rose gardens and exquisite floral arrangements.

It seems that David was destined to share his passion for roses. ‘Ruston’ is a derivation of ‘Rosethorn’. He was interested in roses at a very early age. His father grew 300 rose bushes in his garden, where David and his twin brother ate all the rosebuds within reach.
David had his own garden by the time he was eight, and started helping with the rose garden soon after that. After attending High School in Adelaide and an Art Course at University for a year, he came back to Renmark to work on the fruit property and started planting more roses there in 1950. Eventually, the garden was extended to 50,000 rose plantings and eleven hectares, the largest private collection of roses in the southern hemisphere. It is officially recognised as the National Collection of Roses in Australia.

We flow from early years to ‘Flower Arranging Through the Ages’ which takes us on an inspiring floral journey through history - the inspiration for many of David’s floral arrangements, ‘Special Events’ which includes the Queen’s visit to Carrick Hill, and the World of Conferences. I loved reading an account of the Belfast Conference in 1991 where Dr Charles Nelson talked about ‘The History of the Rose in Ireland’, ending with Thomas Moore’s ‘last rose of summer’, which was reputed to be ‘Old Blush’.

On to 1986 and the first Heritage Rose Conference in Australia, which was held in Adelaide. I had very fond memories reading this. My husband and I served on that committee with Trevor Nottle (who founded Heritage Roses in Australia in 1979), David, Deane and Maureen Ross and many others. So many inspiring speakers attended that Conference, including Barbara Cannon, Gwen Fagan, Susan Irvine and Peter Beales. David gives his fond account of Peter Beales’ visit to Renmark later in the book.

Many beautiful gardens and Conference experiences are described - here are a few magical moments - an outstanding talk on Pernetiana roses in Lyon in 1999, with an evening soirée in a floodlit garden on a hilltop, revealing hundreds of old roses and climbers on pergolas; Wichurana ramblers trained up tall larch poles in the Sangerhausen Rosarium; and the roses of ‘Ninfa’ set in the ruins of a 13th Century village near Rome. The contemplative quality of ‘Ninfa’ is defined by many as an earthly paradise. There are many interesting articles from the past: garden sculptures; arrangements with flowers, fruit and vegetables; and the art of picking and conditioning flowers for arrangements.

David has had many honours bestowed upon him thus far, including the prestigious Dean Hole Medal in 1994, but I think of him as a dear man who really lives his passion fully.

Bron Duncan Bridgewater, SA

'Mystery Roses Around the World'

Editor Virginia Keane.
A special edition of Rosa Mundi. Heritage Rose Foundation, Richardson, Texas 2011. ISBN 978-0-9833851-0-3 Paperback, 122pp. US $39 including postage (or US $50 for a year's subscription which includes the book; $40 students & seniors).
www.heritagerosefoundation.org

“We share a common love of old roses. It is a link that joins us in friendship and in a mutual curiosity about the past. How these roses – living works of art – came to life, how they travelled around the globe, how they gave solace to the pioneers who stumbled into strange lands, how they marked the stones of unforgotten souls, and how they survived to puzzle us with their silent beauty – these enigmas draw us together … to tell stories we will not forget.”

It was five years ago that these words by Gregg Lowery were printed in our Journal (28:4,3) and his words would make a very apt prelude to Mystery Roses Around the World, for Mystery Roses is an inspiring collection of stories about the love, curiosity, quests and puzzles of old roses.

This book takes the reader on a journey around the globe from China to India, Africa, Europe, Bermuda, America and Australia, with remarkable stories of rose hunting and collecting, conserving and sharing. Along the way we are treated to a glimpse of the passion of ‘rose sleuths’ and their special interests, their discoveries and accomplishments.

The varied writings from an impressive gallery of contributors have been brought together by Editor, Virginia Kean, with many deft and delightful transitions between ideas, people and places and the rose sleuths and those who influence and inspire them; but it is always the enigmatic roses that are at the heart of this book, linking all together. It is beautifully illustrated with photographs, line drawings and old colour plates, printed on acid-free paper and has an excellent index.
In her acknowledgments, Virgina Kean wrote, “May this book inspire others to go in search of heritage roses, so that they may be more widely known and grown” and I feel certain her hopes will be realised. Mystery Roses is a fascinating and important book.

Billy West, Perth

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Old cemeteries are the repositories of some of the best heirloom roses in the world. Along the West Coast there are hidden treasures that have been rescued by volunteers, and by family members of those who were buried with rose bushes atop the graves.It was a strong tradition in the 1800s to plant the favorite rose on the departed’s grave.

This is especially true of those pioneers who took cuttings and plants with them when they made the journey west.

Over time the names of the roses were lost. So the bushes were given study names, frequently based on the tombstones. Later those who cared for them often found the original names through research.For example, in Sacramento the Old City Cemetery has one of the best collections anywhere, because of a group of caretakers who have laboured long and hard to make the garden attractive and healthy. An annual celebration is given every spring for anyone who wants to visit. The area is open Friday through Tuesday and entry is free.
I have visited cemeteries in Europe, with few offering old roses, but there is nothing to compare with Germany’s Sangerhausen Rosarium, which has thousands of plants. My trips to Australia always include visits to such places as Rookwood in Sydney, where many have been buried with roses.

This beautiful book should make the general public aware of these “mysterious” roses. Many have been re-introduced into commerce even with the temporary names. The preservation of these precious roses is recorded with photos and texts.

Bill Grant, USA

'Overlooked and Over the Fence' - Traditional Plants in Queensland's Gardening Heritage

by Kyleigh and Michael Simpson

This is a book for those who love hardy heritage plants that keep growing and flowering in Queensland. “Overlooked and Over the Fence” is a title that suggests that there are traditional garden treasures to be found in older gardens when you look carefully.

The book travels through older bayside Brisbane suburbs and to Montville, includes plant inventories and many full colour photographs and drawings celebrating Queensland’s domestic gardening heritage.

This beautiful, large book of over 220 pages is full of beautiful photographs of warm climate garden plants and practical comments on the hundreds of species and cultivars which have been collected and grown by the authors, including many heritage roses.

The last section of this book has story’s plans and photographs of remembered family gardens .

This book is a celebration of Kyleigh and Michael’s enjoyment of gardening and their desire to share their enthusiasm for traditional plant varieties which are not just part of Queensland’s Gardening Heritage but offer so much for the future.

'Tea Roses' - Old Roses for Warm Gardens

by Lynne Chapman, Noelene Drage, Di Durston, Jenny Jones, Hillary Merrifield, Billy West, Rosenberg Publishing, Australia, 2008, 240 pp, hardcover

Can you imagine the excitement this book has caused in California, if not other parts of the United States? As we can grow the Teas where I live, now we have a definitive history as well as information on cultivation. And the lists of roses with the glorious photos!

The importance of this new book cannot be emphasized enough, as it fills a gap in rose history and cultivation that has existed ever since the Tea rose was introduced into Europe from China in the 19th century. Only one book, in German, by Rudolf Geschwind, was devoted to the subject. The title tells the story. Warm climates. Although they were praised in Victorian England, they were usually grown in greenhouses. So many general books on roses spend little time on them.

These are not Hybrid Teas, the popular, modern roses. They are re-blooming, colourful, scented shrubs for the most part, though there are some fascinating climbing Teas. Many people cannot smell the “tea” fragrance – although it is perfectly obvious to me and others. Delicate beauty is one of the outstanding features of these blooms.

What distinguishes them, as well, is their wide range of colors, which has inspired many famous painters to use them as subjects. Most of them in my garden do not really go dormant as most other roses do. They are rarely plagued with the usual diseases and pests. So why haven’t they been more popular? They are low maintenance plants, rarely offered by the big nurseries.

The largest part of the book is devoted to individual roses, from ‘Adam’ (1838) to ‘William R. Smith’ (1908), many of which are still available. Only two hybridizers in the world today are producing new Teas, though this book might change things.

Identification of Teas has been especially difficult, as there are problems with their bloodlines, many look-alikes, and nurseries careless with their labelling in the past. Old cemeteries have large collections of Teas, planted as memorials, and left there by families over the years. Cuttings taken in such places have helped to save them from extinction. The Old Pioneer Cemetery in Sacramento, California, has a celebration each spring attended by hundreds to view the flowering heirlooms. I was there a month ago, and the Teas gave evidence of longevity and beauty.

Australian rose lovers owe a great debt of gratitude to the six “Tea Ladies” who spent ten years compiling the information. I hope the national government has an award for such service! The photos are excellent, and the details of each rose are exhaustive. An excellent bibliography and one of the best indexes for a rose book fill out the beautifully printed volume. It has been an honor to know the authors.

From the moment this book came into my hands, the stunning cover drove me to explore the contents. Firstly, I wanted to know who had taken the photograph – for there was one of my favourites, Duchesse de Brabant, with unmistakable nodding, sumptuous, soft pink blooms – only to find that it was in fact a photograph of Comtesse de Labarthe by Jocelen Janon. Disbelievingly, I turned looked for the detailed description of this rose and realized, of course, that the two names are synonymous.

That was the first of many discoveries, for this is indeed a book which, while it can be judged by its cover, offers much more. Photographs are used effectively on most of the two hundred pages. The length of the Picture Credits to individuals and institutions, gives some indication of the work involved in tracing and presenting this comprehensive collection. The text is consistently enhanced by the illustrations so that readers wanting detailed information and cross reference can make comparisons, while the more casual reader finds the book just more attractive and easy to enjoy.

Even longer and perhaps more astounding than the Pictorial Credits, is the Bibliography which extends over six pages. The research this indicates, along with the practical knowledge of the six authors, is evidenced in the writing and layout of the book as a whole. It is impressive in its detail and interest, structured in such a way that it easily be read in selected parts – as I did initially- or from cover to cover. Whichever way it is read at the outset, it is a book well worth returning to.

The Introduction and Part One form a general description of the Tea Rose Group, outline its place in gardening history and offer thoughts for its future. Then, can there ever be too much advice on growing Tea Roses? I don't think so. And what follows in this advice is the combined wealth of experience and research of the six authors. Finally in this section, is the sometime controversial matter of rose names.

The second section (forming the largest section of the book) details each Tea Rose in Australia, from A- Z, and includes a very useful ”how-to” page as a preface. I was as keen to compare each description with what I know from my own experience, as to learn more about those that I am not familiar with and look forward to having.

Easy, useful reference can be made to the glossary and various appendices of the final pages.

I have not come across another book such as this, entirely devoted to Tea Roses, which appeals to those with a general interest as well as readers wanting a more scholarly approach. The final fascination for me is how it all came about; perhaps there is another book to be written on 'the writing of the Tea Rose book' , with all six authors presenting an individual perspective. Or would that be telling?

In the meantime, this book gives great rewards, and those fortunate enough to be attending the National Rose Conference in November can look forward to hearing more from the authors in person. I certainly am.

For purchase and more information on this book "Tea Roses, Old Roses for Warm Gardens" please contact www.rosenbergpub.com.au