'Mystery Roses Around the World'
July 2011
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