In Rose Gardens of Australia Susan Irvine explores over thirty of the country's finest gardens to discover which roses thrive in Australia and how rose-lovers are growing them.
Everywhere she goes, rose-growers tell her how they planned and planted; what allowances they made for the conditions of their region; how they feed and prune their roses; which roses they find most successful - and which ones they love best. Here are Rugosas and Banksia roses flourishing on the dry inland plains, 'Minnie Watson' blooming in the shade of an old colonial garden, David Austin's 'Leander' happily existing near the sea, and 'Moonlight' framing an urn in a formal city courtyard.
As Susan Irvine encounters the roses growing in the gardens of Australia, she discusses their history, breeding and uses, and suggests other roses that would suit similar gardens and climates. She provides information on over 400 roses, many of which are captured in the 220 superb photographs by Simon Griffiths, and included in her comprehensive lists of roses to grow.
Author description
Susan Irvine was born in Queensland, educated at the universities of Queensland and Heidelberg, Germany, and capped a long teaching career with her appointment in 1972 to the position of Principal of Lauriston Girls' School. In the 1980s her growing passion for roses led her to establish the well-known gardens of Bleak House and Erinvale. In 1994 she was the recipient of the Australian Rose. She has recently been made a Life Member of the Heritage Rose Society of Australia.
