The opportunity to stop and smell the roses was made easy during a recent display at Harper's Mansion.
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The historic Berrima property owned by the National Trust of NSW played host to a Heritage Roses in Australia (HRiA) display.
Southern Highlands HRiA group convenor Steve Beck said the term heritage rose referred to old garden roses, including roses no longer in general cultivation and roses of historical importance which were over 75 years old.
"Our aim is to conserve the best of roses which featured in Australia's colonial gardens during the 19th century and those of 20th century Australian rose breeders such as Alister Clark, Frank Riethmuller and Mrs Olive Fitzhardinge," he said.
"Old roses come in all shapes and sizes, but almost all have a wonderful scent which has been lost in many modern roses. Their often informal, shrub-like form makes them ideal for fitting into any garden."
Among the visitors to the display were HRiA members from Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra as well as many locals who were discovering old roses for the first time.
They enjoyed the display of roses from member's gardens as well as presentations from enthusiasts who talked about the repeat flowering Bourbon roses, the favourite roses of the early 20th century and how best to integrate old roses into your garden.
The event was set in the two-acre garden at Harper's Mansion where more than 100 roses are currently flowering.
This garden can be enjoyed by the public every weekend from now until December 15.
