New South Wales, Australia

I have a keen interest in plants, with a leaning towards subtropicals particularly orchids, nepenthes, aroids and curiously in the same league, roses (especially teas). This childhood fancy was perpetuated by a visit to London at the height of rose season, with the old garden and David Austin's roses making an especially profound impression. I veer towards roses with old-fashioned bloom form and fragrance, muddled centers or peony like being particular favourites, a reaction possibly against florist hybrid teas (though I still love some of the intensely scented/less plastic ones!).

My greatest love(s) are the teas, noisettes and chinas, a godsend for our humid and frost-free Sydney! My good friend/rose buddy Luckyluke and I are keen 'rose hunters', with a deep interest in heritage and found varieties, especially for their cultural connection to the past. The exceptional Australian tea rose book "Tea Roses: Old Roses for Warm Gardens" has been a very influential read, in the process firing our interest to collect as many of the varieties as possible. Any information/sources for teas/noisettes/chinas and foundlings are greatly welcome!

We're currently on a journey finding and striking cuttings of old rose bushes/early hybrid teas in the Inner West Sydney region, with a plan to visit Rookwood cemetery in the near future.

Experienced (30 years)

Last visit: More than a year ago