"Tea Roses, Old Roses for Warm Gardens" caused quite a stir when it was released in USA August 2008.
Reviews describe it as "exciting" and as giving excellent information on the identification and cultivation of these wonderful historic roses.
The authors attended our 2008 Conference when Lynne Chapman was one of our Keynote Speakers .
Book Review
Book Review by Sophie Adamson, 'The Perfumed Garden'
"Tea Roses, Old Roses for Warm Gardens"
By Lynne Chapman, Noelene Drage, Di Durston,
Jenny Jones, Hillary Merrifield, Billy West
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
Book Review
William A Grant
"Tea Roses for Warm Gardens", 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.