Slater’s Crimson China, Old Blush, Rosa multiflora carnea, Rosa multiflora cathayensis, Rosa rugosa alba, Rosa banksiae lutea, Parks’ Yellow Tea-scented China, Rosa viridiflora, Mutabilis, Rosa roxburgii ‘Plena’, … They were probably all ancient Chinese (or Asian) creations. During the Han dynasty and probably before that, gardeners in China were already selecting flowers and plants for their royal gardens.
The history on roses told in “our books” is mostly told from a Western perspective. Who “discovered” this and that rose and brought it back to Europe.
Is there any Eastern publication on the history of Chinese roses, written from an Eastern perspective? With references to historical figures, gardens, …
It’s probably very hard to find references, after Mao had whole libraries destroyed in the fifties and put scholars to work as farmers (or had them killed). But maybe there is some important reference work that survived this cataclysm?
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