Discovering old-fashioned roses is often the beginning of a love affair that lasts a lifetime. These beautiful plants offer you not only fragrance and beauty, but also a fascinating link with the past. In this beautiful yet practical book, some of the most popular old-fashioned roses are described in detail and illustrated in full colour. Over 160 species and varieties have been organised into groups such as Albas, Centifolas, Hybrid perpetual and Moss roses for easy reference. There is a complete chapter on the work done by David Austin in the 1950s and 1960s to create new English roses. Topics include: History; Species roses;Gallicas; Damasks; Albas; Centifolas; Moss roses; Ramblers; China roses; Portlands; Noisettes; Bourbons; Hybrid perpetuals; Teas and early hybrid teas; Hybrid musks; Climbers; Shrub roses & ramblers; Rugosas; David Austin roses; Cultivation; Pruning; and Landscaping ideas. This book is created for Firefly Books by the renowned New Zealand packager and publisher David Bateman and it features over 130 colour photographs by Juliet Nicholas.

Reviews

For rosarians, here are two new handbooks. In Reliable Roses, Harkness, the designer of more than 20 Gold Medal exhibits at the Chelsea Flower Show in London, selects 75 rose varieties that are supposedly easy to grow and, per the title, reliable. In introductory chapters, he explains how the elements affect the lives of roses and how to choose and buy roses. Bush roses (floribunda), shrub roses, and climbing roses are then profiled in terms of flowering, plant, and foliage properties, as well as a star rating and an overall assessment rating; symbols depict height, spread, and fragrance characteristics. Strong photos illustrate planting and pruning techniques. Unfortunately, the guide falls short of its major goal-recommending low-maintenance varieties. Many featured roses are described along the lines of "not healthy enough to survive without attention and work" or "a bit fussy and [performs] much better in its ideal conditions." The author does not discuss which climates are "ideal," and since the book is written from a British perspective, many readers may be frustrated by this oversight. The price tag is also hefty for such a slim volume. A U.S. hardiness zone map and an international list of suppliers are included. An optional purchase for public libraries. [A Garden Book Club selection.] Every year more gardeners are discovering the joy of old-fashioned roses, which are not only beautiful and fragrant but also easier to grow and more disease-resistant than most modern roses. Hybridizer David Austin broke new ground when he introduced his "English" roses, which display the characteristics of old-fashioned roses but also have the ability to rebloom like modern roses. In Old-Fashioned and David Austin Roses, Taylor, author of three previous rose books, discusses the history of old and Austin roses, covering each class with a basic introduction and profiles of the most popular varieties available to gardeners. A chapter on cultivation offers practical horticultural advice for growing these roses, and a brief chapter on landscaping discusses how these roses can be used in the garden. Beautiful photographs and an attractive layout render this book appealing to beginners. A hardiness zone map and a list of suppliers are also included. Recommended for public libraries.-Phillip Oliver, Univ. of North Alabama Lib., Florence Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

A slim but highly informative and practical guide to the cultivation of rose types.--Beth Botts"Chicago Tribune" (01/23/2005)