Women in My Rose Garden: The History, Romance and Adventure of Old Roses

A sumptuously illustrated celebration of 34 remarkable women and the beautiful heritage roses that are named after themMany of our best-loved heritage roses are named after women and in this charming book, Ann Chapman explores the lives and stories behind the evocative names. We may be familiar with Mary Queen of Scots, Amy Robsart, and Jeanne d'Arc, but who were Adelaide d'Orleans, Nancy Steen, and Nur Mahal? Among the more than 30 women described here are serene queens, duchesses, and aristocrats, courageous heroines and pioneers, as well as the passionate gardeners who contributed much to the cultivation and preservation of the roses named for each one. Each biography is beautifully illustrated with a portrait of the woman and a sumptuous photograph of her rose by the acclaimed French naturalist photographer Paul Starosta. "Women in my Rose Garden" will make a perfect gift, not only for rosarians and gardeners, but for all those with a love of history, romance, and adventure.

Ann Chapman and her husband established Trinity Farm Living Rose Museum in New Zealand more than 20 years ago. The museum displays more than 1,500 old roses in three acres of garden. Finding and growing old roses has become an obsession and the collection is now of international status. Ann has for some time wondered about the people behind the roses and this book is the culmination of many years of research.