“I am not an armchair gardener. For the last forty years of my life I have broken my back, my fingernails and sometimes my heart in the practical pursuit of my favourite occupationâ€. - Vita Sackville West

Ann Chapman is a celebrated rosarian from New Zealand who is the author of several books on roses including "Women In My Rose Garden". About 20 years ago, she and her husband purchased Trinity Farm that they transformed into the largest organic, no spray rose gardens in New Zealand with over 1500 roses under cultivation.

Many of our best-loved heritage roses are named after women and in Ann Chapman book "The Women In My Rose Garden" she 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'Orléans, Nancy Steen and Nur Mahal? Among the 35 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. 

Purchase Women in my Rose Garden 

Ann Chapman's Website