Few flowers in the world have captured human imagination and affection as profoundly as the rose. In her exquisite book, Roses in the Garden, acclaimed photographer and author Ngoc Minh Ngo invites readers on an enchanting journey through some of the world’s most beautiful gardens, each showcasing the rose in all its diversity and splendor. Published by Rizzoli, this volume is much more than a collection of floral portraits, it is a poetic exploration of a flower whose history and symbolism transcend cultures and centuries.

The rose has been cultivated for over three thousand years, evolving into countless varieties with forms and colors that seem to defy limitation. Its fragrance, subtle yet intoxicating, has inspired poets, artists, and gardeners alike. Roses in the Garden honors this timeless allure through stunning photography and thoughtful prose, offering readers not only a visual feast but also insight into the cultural and horticultural significance of this extraordinary flower.

Ngo’s journey spans eleven magnificent gardens across England, France, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Japan, and the United States. Each destination has been carefully chosen for its distinctive atmosphere and its intimate relationship with roses. Whether it is the wild romanticism of Ninfa near Rome—often described as the most romantic garden in the world—or the elegant precision of the Rose Garden in Sakura, Japan, each place tells a story of how humans and roses have shaped each other’s worlds.

In England and France, the rose is a symbol of tradition and refinement, cultivated in manicured beds and ancient estates that echo centuries of history. Italian gardens, like Ninfa, present a dreamlike tableau where roses climb over ruins and mingle freely with other plants, blurring the line between cultivation and nature. In Morocco, the rose finds a different voice altogether, thriving in arid climates and adding bursts of color and scent to serene courtyards. Japan, meanwhile, approaches roses with the same deep respect and aesthetic sensibility that characterises its relationship with cherry blossoms and other blooms, creating spaces of quiet contemplation and seasonal wonder.

What sets Ngo’s work apart is her ability to convey not just the beauty of each rose, but also the spirit of the place where it grows. Her photographs capture the interplay of light and shadow, the delicate unfolding of petals, and the timeless romance that roses bring to gardens both grand and humble. The accompanying text deepens this visual narrative, offering anecdotes and reflections that connect readers to the living histories behind these floral havens.

Roses in the Garden is an invitation to slow down and savor the fleeting magic of a rose in bloom. It is equally a celebration of gardening as an art form, one that requires patience, vision, and a deep understanding of nature’s rhythms. For gardeners, flower enthusiasts, and lovers of beautiful books, Ngo’s latest work is a treasure to return to season after season.

Through her lens and words, Ngoc Minh Ngo reminds us that the rose, despite its ancient pedigree, remains forever fresh, a symbol of love, beauty, and the enduring human desire to cultivate paradise on earth.