ROSA CHINENSIS 'TEN THOUSAND LIGHTS' by Neil Mitchell
This is a new rose for Australia, and indeed does not appear to be known outside China.

I acquired my plant from a traditional nursery in Dali, Yunnan, China in 1992 as one of a pair along with a tree peony. Dali is an ancient walled city, with lattice fronted shops, cobbled streets and traditional brick and tile houses with walled gardens. One such building contained a micro-nursery that produced, by inarching (approach grafting) reticulata camellias, two cultivars of tree peonies, two rose cultivars and little else. The approach grafting was achieved by elevating potted understocks on bamboo poles - a memorable sight.

The elderly proprietor saw me smelling his china rose that had been trained on the garden wall - it was, as I remember, a creamy pinkblend with a fruity scent. I was offered a plant (grown in red soil in a locally-made terracotta pot, of course).

I can thank Bob Cherry for this rose as he arranged its importation for me. As the proprietor of Paradise Plants, we gardeners owe him much as he has been responsible for the importation of many wild collected cultivars (Michelia yunnanensis, Gordonia yunnanensis, Osmanthus delavayii 'Heaven Scent' and o. delavayii 'Pearly Gates' to name a few). 'Ten Thousand Lights' sailed through fumigation and has never ceased to thrive.

It grows slowly and dependably like a tea or China rose. It superficially resembles Rosa X odorata 'Pallida' (a.k.a. 'Old Blush') but has deeper red on the petal edges; a few more petals, a more complex, fruity perfume; rounder hips; but is no less healthy. The rose thrives in cool climates (Canberra, Bowral) and warm climates (Kulnura).

Because it grew well in Yunnan, I expect it will do well in southern Australia and the east coast warm temperate regions. The rose is an ideal companion to 'Hermosa', 'Pallida', and modern descendants like 'China Doll' and 'Pinkie'. It is strongly coloured enough to survive planting with relatives like 'Cramiosi Superior' and would also blend well with 'Sophie's Perpetual' and any other Bourbon. It will grow slowly like a tea rose into a large, rounded bush, larger than 'Pallida'.

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