Background:

These antique Rose prints are from the first edition of Ellen Willmott's The Genus Rosa, one of the finest of the twentieth century books on Roses. Willmott (1858-1934), one of the most respected gardeners of her time, created the gardens at Warley Place. She was particularly interested in Roses, with several named after her. The Rose prints are based on watercolors by Alfred Parsons (1847-1920), also known for his landscapes. Wilfrid Blunt, British art historian, describes Parsons Rose prints as "his best botanical illustrations".