Magazine  (Dec 2021)  Page(s) 23. Vol 43, No. 4.  
 
Editor:  .....Ten Thousand Camellias China. (We don’t know whether this is the same as the Ten Thousand Lights.....

Article (magazine)  (2007)  
 
Rosa 'Ten Thousand Lights'

This is a new rose for Australia, and indeed anywhere else, for it does not appear to be known outside China. Dr Neil Mitchell of Canberra acquired his treasured plant as one of two which, along with a tree peony, were obtained from a traditional nursery in Dali, Yunnan, China in 1992. Dali is an ancient city, built on a grid pattern behind mediaeval walls which contained lattice-fronted shops, cobbled streets and traditional brick and tile houses with walled gardens. One of these shops was a micro-nursery that produced, by inarching (approach grafting), reticulata camellias, two cultivars of tree peonies, two rose cultivars and little else. The approach grafting was achieved by elevating potted understocks on bamboo poles. A memorable sight, said Neil.

The elderly proprietor saw Neil checking the scent of a china rose which had been trained on the garden wall – he recalls it being a creamy pink blend with a fruity scent. He was offered a plant (grown in red soil in a locally made terracotta pot, of course) and attributes the fact that he now has this beautiful rose in his garden to Bob Cherry, the proprietor of Paradise Plants. We gardeners owe Bob Cherry a great deal and can thank him for the many wild collected cultivars such as Michelia yunnanensis, Gordonia yunnanensis, Osmanthus delavayii 'Heaven Scent' and 'Pearly Gates' to name a few).

Rosa 'Ten Thousand Lights' sailed through fumigation and has never ceased to thrive in its home in Canberra. It grows slowly and dependably like a tea or China rose. It superficially resembles Rosa X odorata 'Pallida' (a.k.a. 'Old Blush') but has deeper red on the petal edges; a few more petals, a more complex, fruity perfume; rounder hips; but no less healthy.

The rose thrives in cool climates (Canberra, Bowral) and warm climates (Kulnura). Because it grew well in Yunnan, Neil believes it will grow well in southern Australia and the east coast warm temperate regions and that a climbing sport is a possibility. The rose is an ideal companion to 'Hermosa', 'Pallida', and modern descendents like 'China Doll' and 'Pinkie'. Neil advises that its strong colour will allow it to grow alongside relatives like 'Cramiosi Superior' and it would also blend well with 'Sophie's Perpetual' and any other Bourbon. It will grow slowly like a tea rose to a large, rounded bush that is larger than 'Pallida'.