HRIA rose collection at Ruston's Roses, Renmark, SA
UPDATE: This is what was grown, but many are no longer there, and the Collection is no longer suitable for visiting.
Teas, Hybrid Teas, Noisettes, Chinas and Polyanthas
In 2007, the late David Ruston OAM sold his commercial rose-growing property to his niece Anne Ruston. Around that time, flood irrigation was replaced by drip lines, and Anne offered HRIA use of the old irrigation channels, filled with soil, for planting.
Our members collected and planted almost all of the Tea, Noisette and China roses, including 'unknowns', which could be found within Australia. Later, many Hybrid Teas and Pernetianas were added, as well as small numbers of Polyanthas and Riethmuller roses, ramblers, roses used as understocks, 19th century "found" roses, and unknowns from various cemeteries. Until he became too frail to continue, David was crucial to the maintenance of the collection, with help from local HRIA members and annual working bees.
Around 2015 the property was put up for sale. Ongoing uncertainty about its future has left the collection in a precarious position, and unsuitable for visitors. Many varieties have been propagated and distributed to public and private gardens around the country.
The above lists comprise the core collection of Teas, Noisettes and Chinas, and early HTs and Pernetianas. Roses in double inverted commas indicate study names.
Information on most of these roses is available on www.helpmefind.com
Photographs of the roses and HRiA members working at the property can be found in the gallery.