Product Description
Since 1973, Storey's Country Wisdom Bulletins have offered practical, hands-on instructions designed to help readers master dozens of country living skills quickly and easily. There are now more than 170 titles in this series, and their remarkable popularity reflects the common desire of country and city dwellers alike to cultivate personal independence in everyday life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

great mini guide
This is an excellent guide for the beginner gardener or just any person wanting to plant a rose. Is clear and accurate. ... Read more

Product Description
Written by a world-renowned authority on roses, this how-to book and a field guide to English roses includes detailed descriptions for each of the 100 roses featured and provides information on background, fragrance, blooms, garden uses, and more. Color illustrations & photos.Amazon.com Review
The rose has always been a popular flower; ancient Romans,Egyptians, Greeks, and Chinese cultivated rose gardens and used theblooms in festivals and funerals. Yet the roses we grow today havegenerally been in existence for less than a century, and Englishroses--in spite of the traditional-sounding name--have all beendeveloped since the 1950s by rosarian David Austin in an effort tocombine the fragrance and beauty of old roses and the frequentblooming habit of modern hybrids. 100 English Roses for theAmerican Garden presents those English roses best suited to thediverse North American climate. As the curator of rose collections atthe Huntington Botanical Gardens, author Clair G. Martin knows hisroses. With a large section devoted to general rose care (mulching,composting, container growing, and cutting) and individual pages(each, of course, depicting a single perfect rose) detailing theavailability, stature and habit, usage, and disease susceptibility ofeach variety in various climates, this is an enjoyable and usefulintroduction to a fragrant subject. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Charming --
Very nice book -- a little out of date.I grow Austin roses, and many of the new varieties are not included, however there was good information on care and maintenance from David Austin himself, much of which I had not been familiar with before.

my first counsel
This is the book I check first when I have a question about an English Rose. The organization is great, the photography is beautiful, and the plants are described by someone who has grown them in the US. This book is therefore best for those growers who live in Southern California, but still, it's better than if it was written by an English grower. This book also describes the negative aspects of varieties, which is one of the most helpful things. One thing that would improve this book is a photo or description of the plant habit so to provide information on where to plant in the garden. E.g. is Abraham Darby staunchly upright, graceful, floppy? This book isn't all-inclusive, and of course there are new roses being released every year, but if you've got to have the latest, does it matter? Check out also 100 Old Roses for the American Garden, by the same author. Also a great book.

Nice book...
I stumbled onto this book because it was featured in the Washington Post in a column written by Adrian Higgins (Henry Mitchell's sucessor). A photograph of the Austrian Copper rose accompanied the article (the cover),and I'm a sucker for burnt-orange, so I followed up on the book. I am verypleased with it.

Although the cover is paper, it's a plasticized paperand a sturdy book. I mention this first, because I will refer to the bookoften, it feels pleasant to hold in the hand, it's easy to carry, and itcan get a little moisture on the outside and not crumble.

I'm tired ofhaving my roses eaten alive every spring, so I decided to pull out all thehybrids and fall back and regroup. This book takes me back to the old rosesthat are a little more hardy and can put up with Washington DC weatherpatterns.

The book is nicely laid out. A front section entitled,"What Makes an Old Rose" describes how old roses came to be. Thenext section is a "field guide" to help you distinguish roses atthe nursery. This is followed by 168 pages of roses and text from 'AlbaSemi-Plena' to 'Zephrine Drouhin.'

What makes this book unique as well asuseful is the layout. Each rose is covered in a two-page section. A textdescription is on the right-hand page, and a closeup photograph of aspecimin of the rose showing the bloom, buds, and leaf and branch structureis on the left-hand side. Because it's an actual photo, one can identifythe rose in question more easily.

The text is useful. Not only are youprovided a nice historical write-up on the rose, you are given the'demographics' including the uses, fragrance, and suseptibility todiseases. Many of the roses appear to be relatively disease free andfragrant--and I found all of them except the "green" rosebeautiful.

The back of the book contains a list of mail-order houses andgardens where the specimins can be viewed. Since I live in the DC area, Ihave acces to the U.S. National Arboretum and Woodlawn Plantation, butlocations for viewing old roses are located in most states.

A NEW DIRECTION FOR GARDEN INFORMATION BOOKS.
The day has finally come when an ergonomic, comfortable yet informative, easy-to-read garden information book has hit the bookshelves, and my workbench!For the first time, I don't feel like I need a botanicaldictionary or Harvard degree to get some down and dirty tips on how to makemy rose garden shine.Mr. Martin brings himself into my garden when I takethe book with me along with my gloves. I'm able to learn more than justlatin botanical names as I go through the histories and anecdotes Martinshares from his years of experience.Makes me feel like I have a littledeeper connection with the plants in my border when that happens.Hisinsight and humor make this field guide the tops for everyday use.I hadto buy a second copy just so that I wouldn't have to worry about the ripsand soil smudges on the original one.Can't wait for the next in theseries; hear it's supposed to be coming out soon.Thank you Mr. Martin!

Beautiful introduction to nature's classiest roses
If you ever wanted an approachable guide to English roses, this is it! Each variety includes a wonderful full page closeup photo that makes you want to order more and more Austin roses! Interesting history of eachvariety and great practical tips on how they'll perform. Handy size makesit an easy companion on shopping trips too. Good ideas on rose care butcould use a few more illustrations on pruning, for example. Overall, verywell done....and a visual treat too. ... Read more

Product Description
The authorshows how the climbing rose is the natural companion of the clematis and how, when the two are grown together, the overall effect can be dramatic. The author explains, with the aid of clear step by step illustrated instructions, the effective course of action for success in this increasingly popular area of companion.Written in plain, straightforward language, the author covers every aspect of the subject. As well as details of classification, in which the best plants for the job are discussed, the author provides important seasonal growing information including Autumn and Spring pruning techniques, planting details and invaluable advice on the use of colour. The vexed question of pests and diseases is also dealt with at length. This is an instructive title, of special value to the reader with a limited knowledge of gardening but also containing much to interest the more experienced grower. Written by an enthusiastic amateur grower, with an extensive and practical experience of his suAmazon.com Review
Author John Howells claims that the climbing rose and theclematis are natural planting companions; both have an urge to reachfor the sky and the need for the same growing requirements(good, rich soil and a fair amount of water). The rose makes a softer,more beautiful support for the clematis vine than any trellis, andclematis offers a contrast that brings out the beauty of roses. Theyshare the same kind of enemies, so a treatment program for any pestwill benefit both. They can also be grown together in pots orbeds. Finally, each comes in an array of colors that complement theother--think of a yellow rose such as Golden Showers or Casino set offby the gorgeous purple of a Victoria clematis. Howells makes his casevery convincingly with many gorgeous, full-color photographs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Covers general principles beautifully
This book provides insight into the fundamentals of combining clematis with roses by focusing on the plants blooming periods and what makes for apleasing color scheme. It's ideally suited to individuals new to theconcept, as well as those more experienced,wishing to hone in their skillson combining the two.The reader should already have basic knowledge ofhow to grow each type of plant beforehand, and be aware that the book isfrom the United Kingdom and, therefore, tends to name roses found thererather in the U.S.That aside, it is a gem.

easy to understand, lovely to look at, achievable gardening
This book treats explains rose and clematis habits in an easy to understand way.There are plenty of suggested combinations for roses and clematis - the photography is lovely.

I wish he would come round andplant up my garden for me! ... Read more

Product Description
This work, published previously by the American Rose Society (ARS), represents a listing of all officially registered rose cultivars globally.It will supersede the previous edition, Modern Roses X, published in 1993.Modern Roses XI contains descriptions for more than 25,000 roses.The book features 28 color plates and includes a CD-ROM of the entire work which makes searching easy.

Key Features
* Updates the only official registry of all rose cultivars around the workd
* Describes over 25,000 roses
* Includes a comprehensive list of roses with historical and botanical importance, including all modern international rose registrations
* Features "Old Garden Roses at Sangerhausen" together with an article on this unique rose repository
* Includes unregistered roses commonly used in commerce
* Incorporates a report on classification of roses and a report on the registration process of roses ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Book needs more pics; CD needs better search capabilities
I bought this book and CD in the hopes of being able to identify several rose plants that my husband had rescued from the city's bulldozers.It is not designed for an amateur like me who needs pictures and drawings.I am less interested in the parentage of roses than I am in what the terms "semi-double, reverse, exhibition form, cupped" mean.Some roses did not even have the color of the bloom listed.The CD is great if you know the name of the rose you wish to search for, but cumbersome if you do not.Yes, you can search based on characteristics of a rose, but it's not easy.For example, there are no drop-down menus for options on search criteria.A search for a red rose with a "strong" fragrance yielded no results; "intense" fragrance did.When the results are shown, there is no number count on how many roses fit the criteria, and when you select one rose from the results to view, you must re-perform the search to look at another one.It's extremely frustrating.There are pictures of roses on the CD, but the search result listing does not show you which ones have pictures and which do not.Help is limited to FAQ's (with only two questions listed) and an email address.There is no online method for updating the program so there is no hope of this version becoming any better....

The ultimate reference work on roses
If you love roses and if you want to know about the full range of rose varieties that you may encounter at your local nursery or in mail order catalogues, this volume is essential. The expense is justified in part by the CD-ROM, which gives you the ability to search the underlying database at will. I enjoyed the pictures (although they don't match other works like Botannica) as well as the articles on famous European rose gardens. In any work of this magnitude there are bound to be errors (e.g., Meilland's Michelangelo is yellow, not pink), but the overall accuracy is very impressive. If you are only dabbling in rose growing, this encyclopedic work is probably more than you need. But if you are crazy about roses, you will be crazy about this book.

Review of Modern Roses XI and CD-Rom
This edition of Modern Roses takes a giant step up from the last one!(MR10)By including *all* roses that could be reasonably well-documented, the usefulness of this reference has increased dramatically.In addition,the inclusion of a CD-ROM with great search capabilities is FANTASTIC.

Ofcourse... as with any book of this nature... there are still a few errorsin description, etc.However, this is very minor, compared to the volumeof information contained.

Indispensable reference work for serious roselovers. ... Read more

Product Description
Describes approx. 560 roses in detail and contains over 160 magnificent colour photographs. It provides cultivation and pruning advice for each main grouping of roses. The book was written by a rose breeder and commercial grower of vast experience and is available in a handy pocket- sized format. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Valuable part of a Rose Book Collection
David Austin's Old Roses and English Roses is a gem; a little rough cut but still shimmering due to Austin's clear love of the subject. This book strikes one as being a little rougher still.Some of these roses he clearly loves.Others get perfunctory treatment.

The section on Hybrid Musk roses is very good - with photos of Cornelia and Buff Beauty stealing the show.The section on species roses really manages to make the point that these shrubby roses warrant a place in many naturalistic gardens.And the section on climbing roses is as good a single treatment of climbers as I've seen in one place.

The section on Hybrid Tea roses is the weakest owing to the fairly ugly photos of roses. In some cases the photograph is badly composed; a yellow rose against an orange or tan backdrop.In many cases the rose is perfectly good-looking and the photography crisp and clear.And we come away feeling like we had just eaten at a cheap buffet.Yes it's food.And we got as much as we cared to eat.Yet, one thinks there must certainly be more to good food than this.

Perhaps Austin is doing this to reinforce his point that, compared toshrubby roses hybrid teas are generally much less beautiful .If so he's made his point.In any case, quite a large portion of the hybrid tea roses he's chosen to discuss are still popular almost twenty years after the publication of this book.

Austin is not as lyrical as GS Thomas.And occasionally his narrative wanders a bit. But he has excellent taste and the photographs convey they beauty of the subject.Occasionally, he is even funny: speaking of Rambling Rector:'Rose names are not expected to amuse, but here we have an exception'

In another review I write that Botannica's Roses may be the only rose book you own, owing to its encyclopedic scope.Yet it seems to me that if one is seeking aesthetic guidance this book and its companion Old Roses and English Roses are among the best to be found. And GS Thomas Rose Book.I have considerably less confidence in the aesthetic judgements of rose writers StateSide.
... Read more

Product Description
Whether you plant in containers or in the ground, this book will prove an invaluable resource for handling roses before final planting, preparing the soil, controlling insects and diseases, trimming and pruning, and watering. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good advice for growing miniature roses
The author is a judge for the American Rose Society and is an expert on growing miniature roses. The information included here is thorough and covers the following asepcts of growing these roses -

*An entertaining history of the rose
*A botany lesson (way more than I needed to know!)
*How to select the best varieties
*Growing outdoors
*Growing indoors
*What to do about diseases and pests
*Winter Protection and Care
*Eshibiting roses
*Photographing roses
*Hybridizing roses
*Drying roses
*Arranging roses
*A plug for the American Rose Society

Not included are profiles of individual roses (there are probably way too many anyway) or anything on landscaping with miniatures. The information that is included is thorough and well written. The $17.95 retail price seems high for such a small book but this could be because it is published by a small publishing house. The information contained in it though will be very valuable and useful for gardeners seeking information on how to grow these little charmers. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
Climbing and rambling roses are sources of grace and dignity in the finest of gardens. This book is the first completely new volume in almost forty years to grapple with the histories, lineages, and special charms of these aristocrats of the garden. Charles Quest-Ritson documents virtually all climbing and rambling roses currently in cultivation, the fruit of his research in half a dozen languages and his travels to gardens from Australia to the United States and throughout Europe. Illustrated with 200 colour plates, Climbing Roses of the World presents climbers of every type, from the parent Rosa species to the Multifloras, Noisettes, and modern climbers, to name just a few. Quest-Ritson discusses the historical development of the various types of climbing roses as well as individual breeders and how fashion, political events, and even favourite holiday destinations influenced their work. He provides original horticultural names and synonyms for nearly 1600 climbing roses and describes their habit, flowers, foliage, hardiness, and vigour. Gardeners throughout the world will value the book's detailed information on blooming times, changes in flowers over the course of a season, and the adaptability of different roses to different climates.

The most comprehensive and thoroughly researched study of climbers and ramblers ever published, Climbing Roses of the World will stand as the definitive treatment for years to come. No gardener will want to be without this unique source of information. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Valuable rose reference
This book is exclusively devoted to climbing roses and is a welcome addition to rose reference works (as the author states, only two have previously been published, one by G.A. Stephens in 1933 and the other by Graham Stuart Thomas in 1965).

Over 1600 roses are covered here. They are arranged in chapters by classes (Chinese Synstylae and other species, Rosa gigantea and Rosa chinensis, Aryshire and Evergreen roses, Rosa setigera and the Boursault Roses, Noisettes and Tea roses, Rosa multiflora, Turner's Crimson Rambler Race, Wichurana hybrids, New Dawn and its descendants, Kordesii hybrids, Climbing Sports and Large Flowered Climbers). Within each of these chapters, the author divides the roses by hybridizer. A richly detailed biographical account of the breeder is usually given which is followed by a list of the roses he/she hybridized and a brief description of each rose. A final chapter, "Cultivating Climbing Roses" discusses growing roses in general. A section of 200 beautiful color plates is featured in the center of the book.

Only one gripe - sizes of roses is given in the metric system which is annoying but at least it will help you to learn meters and centimeters!

A must for rose lovers
This is a comprehensive, world-wide study of climbing and rambling roses. The topic is a huge one, especially as the writer refuses to be constrained by the contributions of any one country. Most of the leading writers on roses have been American, English or French. The writer adds in the considerable contributions of rose growers in Australia, Germany and Italy as well as other countries.

Despite difficulties in taxonomy and in tracing the history of each rose, the writer has included some 1600 currently grown climbing and rambling roses. I was happy to see an explanation of the differences between the two. Climbers have a small number of stiff stems. Ramblers have a larger number of more pliable stems, and these often trail along the ground. To confuse the issue, some ramblers are known as semi-climbers, and some small climbers are known as "pillar roses". Let's confuse it even further - climate can make a considerable difference in growth. A rose that is a climber in one country may be a shrub in another.

The writer is Director of England's National Rose Society and he has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the topic as well as the resources to research it throughout the world. The book covers the origin and history of each of the roses and the reader learns about the people and circumstances behind each of the different varieties.

The colour photographs of the roses, taken by the author in gardens around the world, are exceptionally fine Each rose is identified, of course, but we also find out in which garden and which country the photograph was taken.

This is a book for the gardener who loves roses. It contains a vast amount of information, well organized and presented. ... Read more

Product Description
'What is this rose,' the great rosarian Graham Stuart Thomas asks, 'that enslaves gardeners?...Why, in short, does everyone love a rose, and what does it offer that other flowers lack?' Wayne Winterrowd posed this question to thirty-two eminent fellow gardeners, who join him in giving their highly original and engaging responses in this book. Michael Pollan, is 'dazzled, smitten...bowled over' by 'Maiden's Blush' (known in France as 'Cuisse de Nymphe Emue'), while Mirabel Osler honours Rosa sancta, the Holy Rose of Abyssinia, only to find that for others it may 'stink of the Fall'. Christopher Lloyd gleefully tells of rousting out him mother's extensive but troublesome collection at Great Dixter - allowing, though, a few indispensables to stay on, for, as he concedes, 'Some roses are worth struggling for, after all.' Winterrowd's contributors constitute a Who's Who of contemporary garden writers. Their highly personal essays are rich with reminiscence, with prejudice, with love remembered or recently experienced and sometimes with cantankerous personal opinion. Many offer fascinating historical information or valuable tips on culture.All of them, whether with new passion or grudging admiration, celebrate the rose, a flower that has been treasured since pre-history and is reinvented in every generation. These spellbinding accounts are magnificently complemented by Pamela Stagg's vibrant watercolours. Roses is a handsome gift for any gardener, and essential reading for anyone who loves roses. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

"A Rose Is A Rose Is A Rose"
"Why is this rose that enslaves gardeners? . . . Why, in short, does everyone love a rose, and what has it to offer that other flowers lack?" ~ Graham Stuart Thomas ~

Author Wayne Winterrowd asked thirty-two of his fellow rose aficionados and renowned contemporary garden writers the above question and came up with this wonderful book, "Roses, A Celebration" a collection of personal essays from the contributors. Winterrowd started gardening at the early age of four. He now devotes his time to gardening and writing about gardens after a long-time teaching career in English literature.

For the stunning artwork, Winterrowd collaborated with a fine artist and botanical painter, Pamela Stagg, who won the 1991 Royal Horticultural Society Gold Medal, the world's top prize for botanical painting. Stagg did an arty job in painting thirty-two varieties of roses in eye-catching and vibrant watercolors that readers would find utterly beautiful at first sight. Some of the varieties of roses to behold include "Mr. Lincoln," "The Fairy," "Variegata di Bologna," "Graham Thomas," "Bonica," "New Dawn," "Peace," "Old Blush," "Rosette" and "Richardii."

"A rose is a rose is a rose" ~ Gertrude Stein ~

Each essay is interestingly presented with a fascinating historical information and a personal account from each contributor as they celebrate their love, passion and admiration for a rose, a flower whichWinterrowd described as one that has been "treasured since prehistory and that is reinvented in every generation."

"Oh, no man knows
Through what wild centuries
Roves back the rose" ~ Walter De La Mare ~

I highly recommend this book to all passionate rosarians for all its informational contents and not to mention the charming works of art. It is a gorgeous addition to your bookshelves and also a perfect gift to someone who loves roses, who will forever be grateful to the giver.

"Roses are steeped in nostalgia and sentiment." ~ Christopher Lloyd ~

Celebrating Roses
As a new rosarian, I have been seeking books about roses and rose gardening. This book is a series of essays accompanied by beautifully detailed colored illustrations that I am tempted to clip out and frame for my walls. The book arrived in perfect condition. The essays are thoughtful, poignant, intelligent and witty. Highly recommended.

An impressive and informative collection of essays
What attraction do roses have that other flowers lack? Editor Wayne Winterrowd posed this question to over thirty eminent fellow gardeners, gathering their insights and responses in Roses: A Celebration, an impressive and informative collection of essays which tell of special roses and the horticultural decisions which went into the special enjoyment of roses over other flowers. The perfect gift for that rose enthusiast who already has all the basic gardening guides.

Wonderful!
This book is a collection of 33 essays written by rosarians,writers, artists, nurserymen, etc. on their personal favorite rose. It is delightful reading and the book comes at a good time, when most gardeners are settling in for the winter months to dream about next year's gardening.

The majority of the writers here prefer the old roses although there are a few modern ones as well. Graham Stuart Thomas, the great rosarian who died in April 2003, writes about his favorite rose "Souevenir de St. Anne's," Peter Beales recalls "Great Maiden's Blush" which brings back his childhood memories and Christopher Lloyd writes about his love/hate relationship with roses in his garden at Great Dixter. Other writers included are:

Jamaica Kincaid (Alchymist)
Anne Raver (Roseraie de l'Hay)
Allen Lacy (Ginny)
Michael Pollan (Mmd. Hardy and Cuisse de Nymphe)
Lauren Springer (Mr. Lincoln and Harrison's Yellow)
David Austin (Eglantyne)
Thomas Fischer (Mrs. Oakley Fisher, Golden Wings, Darlow's Enigma)
Lloyd Brace (Astrid Lindgren)
Anthony Noel (Variegata di Bologna)
Peter Schneider (Corylus)
Rory Dusoir (Mutabilis)
David Wheeler (Graham Thomas)
Mirabel Osler (Rosa sancta)
Page Dickey (Rosa pimpinellifolia Double White)
Mac Griswold (Veilchenblau)
Thomas Cooper (Betty Prior)
Wayne Winterrowd (Comtesse du Cayla)
Julie Moir Messervy (Learning to like Roses)
Jane Garmey (New Dawn)
Rosie Atkins (Bengal Crimson)
Cynthia Woodyard (Kiftsgate)
Ken Druse (Rosa banksiae 'Lutea')
Thomas Christopher (Old Blush)
Joe Eck and Wayne Winterrowd (Rosa glauca at North Hill)
Tovah Martin (Logee's 'Rosette')
Michele Lamontagne (La Rose de la Paix)
Dan Hinkley (Rosa rugosa)
Fergus Garrett (The Turkish Rose)
Pamela Stagg (Konigin von Danemark)
Joe Eck (Rose Hips) ... Read more

Product Description
The charm and simplicity of old-English roses have been interpreted into designs for cushions, bed-linen, scented sachets, curtain tie-backs, and other decorative items for the home. The book includes something for stitchers of all abilities, from straightforward cross-stitch and needlepoint to the more complex projects using shadow-work, applique and mixed techniques. Charts, trace-off patterns, step-by-step instructions and tips are included. ... Read more

Product Description
No other flower rivals the rose in allure or popularity.The Rose is an exquisitely illustrated celebration of this most beloved of flowers. Originally published at $50; over 30 thousand copies sold.

"This book takes the meaning of lavish production to new heights – it is what coffee tables are made for.Every serious rose grower will want to at least look at if not purchase, this true wonder of book making art. We are not likely to see a masterpiece such as this among gardening books any time soon." HortIdeas. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Rose Book
This is the MOST BEAUTIFUL book of ROSE photos I have ever seen.
The color reproductions are excellent.Full page photos allow you to see every detail.WORTH EVERY PENNY AND MORE!!!!!

A must for all lovers of Shabby Chic!
This is a gorgeous and huge color photography book of roses in all colors and blooms. It is so pretty to look at have as a coffee table book. I have the hardcover edition and it is just beautifull! I definately recommend!

A truly gorgeous book for flower lovers everywhere
Enhanced with an informative introduction by Anne Halpin, The Rose is a superb coffee table book celebrating in prose, poetry and photography showcasing one of the most beloved blossoms of human history and imagination. Each two-page spread features a short poem or famous excerpt referring to a rose on the left, and a breathtaking full-color, full-page photograph of a type of rose on the right. A few rapturous photographs spread across two-pages. Roses of every color, shape, and size are memorably celebrated in this truly gorgeous book for flower lovers everywhere. ... Read more

Product Description
Provides the comprehensive information needed to grow roses simply and safely, the organic way. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Somewhat disappointed...
There were positives and negatives here, but the bottom line is the book turns out to be not terribly helpful. It was really good to know that a book on organic rose gardening was finally on the market. I have always gardened organically, and so, although the idea of growing heirloom roses organically was not a new concept for me when the book came out, I wanted to pick up some tips and support the author. I was happy to welcome it as a much-needed addition to the rose-growing literature.

While Druitt is knowledgeable and well-meaning, it turned out that I never used the book. I think it was the offhand writing style and the very dark & amateur-looking photos that ruined the book for me. I'm a person who requires equal parts inspiration and education in the realm of gardening books. It was lacking esthetically, so I turned to other sources for info, and mostly to trial and error. It's not that big a stretch to figure out what organic soil supplements roses crave.That's all I do for roses: amend the soil. And the results are spectacular, particularly because I go to to some effort to research the easiest and most rewarding roses and buy them. Choosing healthy, easy roses and amending the soil organically is the whole deal for my garden.

If a garden book is going to really get my attention, it will have to be beautiful, entertaining or inspiring -- on top of having good info. Druitt's book wasn't.

For someone who is transitioning to organic rose gardening for the first time, I recommend the book as a good introduction. But for those of us who are experienced organic gardeners -- it will not be as useful.

A book to suit Australia too
This is the best rose guide book that I have seen and suits Australian conditions well. I often recommend it, in fact I bought a little stockpile so I could give it to rosie friends. Liz Druitt has a charming writing style and has obviously amassed a great deal of experience growing these roses. I found the references to how healthy particular roses are especially useful as it is an area often ignored in other books. The only disappointing aspect of this book is the photography which is uninspiring to say the least. Never mind, there are plenty of books with fabulous photos, but good down to earth advice is much harder to come by.

great resource book-not just for organic folks
The extensive photos with full description of roses makes this book worth the price alone. I also really liked the pages devoted to the "Quick Reference Chart" that gives each roses' qualities (size, fragrance, color, repeat bloom, etc).

(minor point: Crepescule, a wonderful heirloom rose seems to be missing).

This book is a MUST for every heirloom rose gardener south of the Mason-Dixon line including California of course :-)

Best for a limited audience
The paperback edition of this book may differ in format from the hardback edition. In the paperback edition, the color pictures are small and of poor quality. Photos intended to illustrate particular techniques (weaving a climbing rose on a pillar, for instance) are simply too small to provide any visual information at all. Not all roses are pictured, which is a drawback in a book that leans heavily on older roses.

There's a good index, which is helpful, because one ends up having to consult it often to pull together information about specific roses. Rather than include all data about zones, shade tolerance, size and more in each alphabetized annotation, there is a cumbersome table cross-referenced by class. Within the annotations, the author includes such observations as "more than worth the wait" and "I think this rose is really cute". Not everyone will find such informality off-putting, of course.

The book is not a useful survey for gardeners in places cooler than Zone 6. Given the constraints of the author's experiences and apparent research, perhaps the book would be of greatest interest and use to those in the author's home state of Texas.

A charming chapter on rose recipes, which really should be contemplated only by organic rose gardeners, concludes the book.

Pragmatic with a dash of humor....
You might want to read THE ORGANIC ROSE GARDEN by Liz Druitt even if you aren't planning on growing roses. Druitt has a wonderful sense of humor. For example, she says the rugosa rose must require a great deal of nitrogen since it has thorns designed to extract human blood. Each of the entries for her list of 100 is written in a friendly, helpful, and folksy way, helpful and not hokey.

Druitt's book contains a handy "Quick Reference Chart for Garden Form" with information organized by height: name; color; fragrance (***); size;repeat bloom; hips; shade tolerance; and Best in zones (4-9). The entries for roses in alpha order follow this chart.

Since ROSES was written for organic gardening, the reader is advised on organic methods.In a section entitled "Getting and Planting Roses" she describes the preliminary tasks the gardener must undertake to ensure she starts with good stock. She covers purchasing, layering, planting in containers and climbing roses. In "Maintaining the Roses" the reader learns about weeding, watering, fertilizing, pruning and seasonal care. In "Trouble Shooting" the author deals with pests. Because this is an organic book we learn about beneficial insects, nectary and shelter plants, and hedgerow barriers (to keep out the deer). Pests include the neighbor's dog (get a fence), fire ants (get the hormone 'Logic'); and other bugs--plant dill, garlic, or get out the hose.

All in all, this book is solid gold for the new or the old rose gardener and I recommend it. ... Read more

Product Description
This book gives readers the basics of growing roses and shows them how to choose a species or cultivar that is appropriate for the site and how to incorporate roses into the existing garden plan. Fifteen plans offer useful ready-made garden designs and include a diverse selection of theme gardens. 150 color photos and illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Care-free Roses for Antiquarians
I wanted to look at Tony Lord's book on designing with roses before buying it on amazon.So I borrowed it on interlibrary loan and somehow received the McKeon book instead.There was that sudden rush of disappointment when I went to pick up the book.However, I consider myself fortunate to have made the error.

The first section of the McKeon book does a good job of explaining, in laymen's terms, how roses are categorized and what the specific characteristics of each rose class are.In the second section, There is a straight forward description of planting, pruning and caring for roses.The pruning section gives a description for each category of rose. McKeon also does a good, brief job of describing how to propagate roses by layering and by taking cuttings.

The second half of the book focuses on design for specific types of garden (the cottage garden, container garden, the city garden garden, etc.)Each of these sections gives a diagram and plant list for the garden style discussed and shows how the roses discussed at the beginning of the book actually work in gardens. I will be using the plan for the butterfly garden in a local project.

The limitations of the book include the fact that this book uses plants appropriate to the UK, although most of the plants in the butterfly garden design are perfectly suited to the upper Midwest of the U.S.The USDA hardiness zone is given for most roses discussed.This author has definite preferences for roses she considers the best in terms of beauty and being care-free and her recommendations for modern roses are quite limited; she almost completely dismisses hybrid teas as suitable for the care-free garden and her discussion of Austin roses is too brief.An additional limitation is that some of the wider angle photos showing how roses are used in gardens do not identify the rose that is the focal point of the shot.Also, some of the roses mentioned briefly in the text are not included in the index.

Overall, for a beginning rose gardener, I would consider this a good find or good gift.It is straightforward, does not overburden the gardener with too much technical information, gives useful information about old roses, and has wonderful rose photos; for these reasons I rate it a 4 instead of a 3.Having read this book, I will be able to better appreciate the next bed of antique-appearing roses I encounter. ... Read more

Product Description
Rediscover California's rich horticultural history & how its cultures have embraced & cherished plants for centuries -- from the redwoods that astonished early explorers to the roses that graced rustic cabin gardens or mission verandas. This book combines garden & natural history, California history, special plant profiles, design ideas to recreate a period look, gorgeous vintage & color photos, & much more. It explores the special relationship California's diverse peoples have shared with nature & the unique gardens & landscapes they have created over the years to nurture & enhance these bonds. You'll even discover how to recreate period looks in your own garden. ... Read more

Product Description
Often called the “king of roses,” Peter Beales is the world’s most acclaimed professional rose grower, and this book is the distillation of his 50 years of experience and knowledge into one essential volume. Within these handsomely illustrated pages is Beales’s unequalled advice on landscaping with roses as well as care and cultivation―all based upon his decades of experience breeding and selling the world’s finest roses.
There is a rose for every budget and every garden style, and this is the ideal book to use in selecting the perfect rose. Roses come in every size from miniatures just right for containers to the expansive climbing roses.The first part of the book explains the six different major groups of roses and profiles the best cultivars in each category.Peter Beales describes the best landscape uses for each rose, details their pros and cons, and describes their care.Interwoven throughout are his charming yet fascinating personal observations and reminiscences recalling experiences with roses, notable gardeners, and important breeders.
The last section of the book isan encyclopedic directory of roses that includes full color close-up pictures of each rose in full bloom, detailed descriptions, planting suggestions, hardiness factors, and information on care, cultivation, pests, and diseases.This sumptuously illustrated volume by Peter Beales will be the definitive guide to gardening with roses for years to come. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Oh WOW, (Sigh)
This book contains some of the most breathtaking photographs of gardens I've ever seen.You can practically smell the scent and hear the bees!

Travelling around the world, Mr. Beales toured a variety of gardens that feature roses and in this book shares the pictures, descriptions and chats with the gardeners.From tightly manicured English gardens to wildly exuberant Pacific Northwest gardens, the rose shows her versatility and adaptability.The pictures of gardens containing four hundred roses of a single variety, as well as hundreds of other varieties and other flowers makes one want to jump through the page!There truly is a rose for every garden, and Mr. Beales proves it.This is a book for inspiration and armchair travel indeed!

Beales' Beauty
What a feast this book has been. I have saved it to savour it in fragments at the end of busy days, when the glorious pictures soothe my soul and renew a sense of peace and harmony. These combine with the interesting narrative to keep me in touch with the nature I adore while outside the dark and cold rule. Each page offers a vicarious journey into a world of wonderful beauty. Even if there were no text at all, I would treasure this book just for the glorious pictures. As it is, however, the text is informative, and has resulted in my drawing up yet another long list of roses that I feel I really must have. It is wonderful to benefit from the experience and ideas of such a knowledgeable rosarian as Beales.

Passion for Roses

Needing some specific advice on what roses to buy for my garden, I sent for the book'Passion for Roses' I found it gave me all the information I required,a very detailed discription of the roses, the expected height the rose bush, the scent or no scent, as the case may be, their tolarance to rain and sun and other useful information. A beautifully illistrated book showing the colour of the Roses, this book is a real pleasure to have.
It did take longer than stated to arrive, but I did receive an e-mailadvising me of the re scheduled date, keeping the customer informed.
I would recommemnd the book to any one.

Excellent Condition
This book is a present for my Girlfriend. She will have to let me know how it is and I'll do a more comprehensive review.

A love affair with roses
Peter Beales is one of the most recognized names in the rose world and his previous book "Classic Roses" is still one of the best reference books for roses on the market. His latest, "Passion for Roses" is not a reference book but a good introduction to roses. In the first chapter, Beales writes about how his love affair with roses began and how it has progressed since he first discovered them as a teenager working in a nursery. He has traveled the world photographing roses and many of them are included here. He also remembers some of the most memorable gardens he has visted.

Subsequent chapters describe the different types of roses (species, old roses, modern roses, climbing roses, ramblers and scramblers, etc.) The last section of the book is an encyclopedic directory of roses mentioned in the book. The photographs are lovely and this is a beautiful book to browse through. However, if you are just looking for reference information about individual roses, then you would want to buy his "Classic Roses" instead. ... Read more

Product Description

Author Stephen Scanniello has earned an international reputation as a rose scholar. A Year of Roses encompasses his advice and recommendations on how to care for roses throughout the year.It is unique because of Scanniello's expertise on the subject and his approachable style.

Includes month-by-month recommendations to properly care for roses. Written for anyone interested in learning the best practices for maintaining beautiful roses, and includes all rose categories.

The American Hort. Society named it one of the seven books of 1997 to receive the 1998 American Hort. Society Annual Book Award. This society described the book as: "...special because of its approachability. Scanniello is one of the country's rising rosarians-thoroughly grounded, yet new enough to the game to calm the fears of beginners..."

Customer Reviews (11)

Rose information and typos
As a mainly vegetable grower I slowly became interested in roses after attending a lecture by Mr Scanniello. As I listened to him and later read his book I learned of the amount of hard work involved in maintenance, the battles with numerous bugs and diseases, the rose growers' obsessions to achieve a decent rose, and I was almost put off.
So for the time being I have decided to renovate the sad looking roses I already have before buying any new ones. I found the book especially useful as the information is categorized by the month.If I am successful it will be due mainly to Mr Scanniello.
The only one annoyance I have with my edition is that it is full of typos. I hope future edition will have removed them, as they are a poor reflection on this remarkable book.

A must have
I originally borrowed this book from my public library. It is usually my practice to make a few notes in a garden notebook that I keep from the various books on roses that I come across. When I borrowed this one, I began with the November chapter (since it's the month we're currently in). Within a few pages, I knew there was far too much information to even consider giving the thing back to the library. And they seem to frown at taking a highlighter to their books. Sooo... I bought my own. I have several "beginner" rose books, including "Roses for Dummies", Ortho's rose book, and Jackson and Perkins book on rose gardening, and am a member of the American Rose Society. I've checked out every book on rose gardening that my library has. Though it doesn't have the pretty glossy photographs that other rose books have, "A Year of Roses"has more hard core information per page than any other rose book I've seen. If you're ready to get past the beginner stage, or really just want to start off right, I would reccommend this book as a must have, along with an ARS membership ([...] Their magazine is awesome - part of the membership benefits). My great appreciation to Stephen Scanniello!

Excellent Advice
Mr. Scanniello does an excellent job of outlining rose care. Month by month he instructs rudimentary and advanced rose gardening. You learn from a master. An excellent learning guide, organized in an interesting fashion.A must have for any rose gardener!

Invaluable Rose care book
Well written guide to caring for roses - how to prune; graft; fertilize; steal cuttings.Written by the Brooklyn Botanical garden director.He has published some excellent guides to roses (maybe other plants too, don't remember).
Worth having - I borrowed from library about 4 times before I bought my own well used copy.

A Year of Roses
I am half way through this book.It is a delightful, helpful read about the planting and maintenance of roses throughout the year.The book has many helpful tips and fresh information that gives me confidence in having roses.In addition, each chapter includes, at the end, helpful links and suggested rose-related organizations to join and/or support.My only disappointment is that the author did not include a comprehensive list of recommended roses. ... Read more

Product Description
Your Guide to Creating an Easy-Care Garden Full of Fragrance and Color

Have you always wanted to plant roses but are afraid they are too difficult to grow? Fear no more. Growing Beautiful Roses takes the intimidation (and the chemicals) out of growing the world's most legendary flower.

This gorgeous and rich instructional guide offers a holistic approach to growing these perennial favorites. Author Barbara Wilde presents tips and advice for choosing healthy roses, preparing the soil, and recognizing and preventing disease; plus, she takes the mystery out of pruning. Perhaps even more valuable, Wilde includes a gallery of more than 100 remarkable roses that are the most hardy and the most disease and pest resistant, making them the best roses for organic gardening. In addition, she takes you beyond the rigidity of a formal rose garden by showing you how to combine roses with other plants, including grasses, herbs, wildflowers, vines, shrubs, perennials, and annuals.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Description of book contents are misleading
If you are interested in old roses (that I would have no idea where to find) and gardening totally organic this is the book for you.As for me, I was looking for information on growing and the different kinds of today's roses, i.e. hybrid teas, flouribundas, grandiflouras, etc.Not what I was looking for.

Very Helpful
Growing Beautiful Roses: Your Guide to Creating an Easy-Care Garden Full of Fragrance and ColorThis is an easy to follow book with good suggestions about taking care of your roses.Liked its easy to follow style ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
A must have for any rose lover, this gorgeous chunky little book is simply jam packed with everything you ever wanted to know about your favorite blossoms. Practical information about growing, planting, and caring for different species is interspersed with the celebrated voices of poets, literary greats, and lyricists. Full of entertaining and fascinating information about roses, it includes myths, legends, fun facts, recipes, crafts, and ideas the world's greatest gardens.
Illustrated throughout with beautiful and delicate turn-of-the century art, The Little Big Book of Roses is the perfect compendium of rose facts, tips, literature, and lore, making it the perfect addition to any gardening library. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Beautiful Rose Book
Absolutely great book. I loved it. This is Terry's wife. Terry grows the roses and I read about them. Thanks again. Terry and Darlene

Excellent Book of Roses
This little big book is a true delight to read. Many wonderful stories about roses and rose lore. Many wonderful poems as well. The artwork throughout the book is top notch as well. If you love roses, this book belongs in your library.

LOVELY
What a gorgeous little book.All the rose lovers I know are getting one for Christmas this year.I first discovered it at an exclusive gift shop in a high-end mall, but resisted the urge to purchase, assuming it would cost far less at Amazon.I was right.Almost everyone who sits on my couch instinctively picks up the book and looks through it.Quick hits of all things rose (poems, lyrics, stories). ... Read more