Tea roses : old roses for gardens in the sun

Tea roses - once almost forgotten - are now being celebrated again for their elegance and beauty and acclaimed as superb shrubs for warm gardens.

Descended from Chinese garden hybrids introduced into Europe in the early nineteenth century, Tea roses have long been considered in a class of their own for their exquisite colours, 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 favour and all but disappear.

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 twentieth century. Readers will find many questions answered and some old mysteries unravelled.

Full details are given of Tea roses currently sold in Australia, with the authors bringing together their observations and knowledge of the Teas they grow - the descriptions are first-hand and not just a repetition of what has been said before. Lavishly illustrated with colour photographs and historical plates, this book invites you to share the beauty and the fascinating story of the Teas - but be warned - once captivated by these lovely roses there is no going back.