Tea Roses: Old Roses for Warm Gardens

Tea roses - once almost forgotten - are now being celebrated again for their elegance and beauty, and are acclaimed as superb shrubs for warm gardens. Descended from Chinese garden hybrids introduced into Europe in the early 19th century, tea roses have long been considered in a class of their own for their exquisite colors, distinctive fragrance, fine foliage, and almost constant flushes of flowers in warmer climates. They were looked upon as almost perfect roses, but the passage of time and the vagaries of fashion saw them lose favor and all but disappear. In this book, the authors have covered the history of tea roses, their rise and fall in popularity, and the nomenclature problems that arose during their revival when interest in old roses was rekindled in the later 20th century. Full details are given of tea roses currently sold in Australia. The authors bring together their own observations and knowledge of the teas they have personally cultivated. Lavishly illustrated with color photographs and historical plates, this inviting book shares the beauty and the fascinating story of the tea roses.

Lynne Chapman has worked as a freelance illustrator for 18 years and spends time outside the studio visiting schools and libraries. She lives in Sheffield, England.