Patrick Grant (rosarian) facts for kids
Patrick Grant (born 1860 – died 28 September 1945) was a talented rose breeder from Australia. He was born in Scotland. Even though he wasn't from a rich family, he became famous for creating beautiful roses. Two of his roses were known around the world when he passed away.
Patrick Grant's Life
Patrick Grant was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1860. His father was a stonemason, and Patrick trained to be a wheelwright. A wheelwright makes and repairs wheels. In 1885, he moved to New South Wales, Australia. For 20 years, he worked as a building contractor. This means he managed construction projects.
Later, he became a dairy farmer in Macksville, New South Wales. He started his farm on land that had never been used before. He became known for his excellent herd of Ayrshire cows. Patrick and his wife, Beatrice, had eight children. Six of their children worked on their large 400-acre farm. This shows he was a successful farmer, different from other famous rose breeders who came from very wealthy families.
Patrick Grant was also involved in his community. Around the late 1800s, he was part of the North Sydney council. From 1904 to 1934, he was the president of the Primary Producers Union. This group helped farmers and producers. He also led the National Rose Society of NSW from 1929 to 1931. He stayed on their committee until 1943. Today, the Society's top award for a rose display is called the Patrick Grant Cup.
From 1927, he also had a home in Chatswood, Sydney. He likely grew roses there. Another famous rose breeder, Alister Clark, visited his garden in 1928. Patrick Grant was 61 years old when his first rose was released. It's possible he bred all three of his famous roses after he retired in Chatswood.
Grant's Famous Roses
Patrick Grant created some very popular roses. In 1937, a survey by the Melbourne Argus newspaper showed that his rose, 'Golden Dawn', was one of the ten most popular garden roses. When he died in 1945, the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper said he was one of Australia's top two rose breeders. They especially praised 'Golden Dawn' as possibly the best yellow rose ever. They also said his 'Salmon Spray' was a world-class "cluster rose."
In 1969, A.S. Thomas wrote a book called Better Roses. It listed the 80 best roses bred in Australia or New Zealand. Both 'Golden Dawn' and 'Salmon Spray' were on that important list.
- Golden Dawn (released 1929) is a pale yellow hybrid tea rose. It is still sold today in Australia, Europe, and North America. It is similar to another famous rose called 'Peace'.
- Salmon Spray (released 1923) is a salmon pink floribunda rose. It seems to be mostly available in North America now.
- Midnight Sun (released 1921) is a red-black hybrid tea rose. You can see this beautiful rose in the Nieuwesteeg Heritage Rose Garden at Bacchus Marsh in Victoria.
