M. S. Viru and Girija Viraraghavan are acclaimed rosarians from India. Growing up with the old European Tea roses they noticed how much harmful chemicals were needed to make them flourish in the warm and humid parts of India. Out of love for the Queen of flowers they embarked on a journey to find almost mythical, tropical, wild roses. Their goal? Creating new "old" roses which are suited for the warmer parts of the world. Their journey took them to many parts of the world, from Europe to Latin America and from China to Japan.
Now they have written a book about their lives work: "Roses in the fire of spring. Better roses for a warming world and other garden adventures" takes you on an epic rose journey and as a reader you feel as if you're experiencing it with them. Excitement, joy, disappointment and ecstasy, you feel what they feel. The journey takes us to forests, swamps and mountains and all in search for success. Success came when they found those legendary "tropical" wild rose species like R. Gigantea and R. Clinophylla and we get submerged in their efforts to create new roses with these wild species.
Roses in the fire of spring is especially important because of climate change and the search for heat and drought resistant roses is bigger than ever.
The book is extremely detailed and gives reviews of all the roses they've created so far accompanied by beautiful pictures.
"Remembering Cochet", "Naga Belle", "Faith Whittlesey" and "Aussie Sixer" are just a few of their creations and I can honestly say they are jaw dropping.
"Roses in the fire of spring" is Viru and Girija's rose testament and what a testament it is! This book will become more and more relevant the coming years and it's Viru and Girija's wish that many rosarians will continue their work. The foundation has been laid so now it's up to the next generation...
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