5 comments about 100 Old Roses For The American Garden (Smith & Hawken).

1. Saxon Holt's color photos embellish nearly every page of this gardener's guide to old rose varieties. Unlike many rose books which assume prior knowledge, this advises a range of gardeners with details on the rose's growing needs and methods accompanying the full-page color photo of its flower. Highly recommended: 'the' pick if only one or two rose books were to be included in a home gardening collection.



2. As others have previously mentioned, this is by no means the "authority" on the old roses, but what a wonderful little book it is! You don't have to work out twice a week in order to lift it and thumb through it, and it will fit in the back pocket of your overalls. The field guide is the area of the book I use most- the pictures are of a rose branch, often including buds, partly opened flowers and plenty of leaves, so you get a good idea of what the flowers, leaves and cane colors look like together, and that is not something many books offer. The pictures are taken on a clean white background and show the true form of the rose bloom. I like the author's style of writing and the fact that he often gives his opinion of the rose and the nature of it's scent, as well as the facts of it's growth habit. He also lists the roses by color in the back of the book, and that is a nice reference touch.

   This is is a great reference book to take to the nurseries or on garden expeditions because it is so portable and offers so much information on each rose. We all know how vague some of those nursery tags can be, and if you don't have a photographic memory the easily found details quickly let you know if the rose you are considering will grow 4X4 or 10X10 in your area and whether or not it *really is* the rose that you want to plant beside the steps going to the back door! (I know- it would be just lovely there, wouldn't it....)

   I have this book as well as the "100 English Roses" by the same author. They are not the books I reach for on a rainy day when I am looking for design inspiration, but they *are* the ones that I constantly reach for when I am doing the actual planning and planting and need the facts, and also the ones that my friends love to borrow. These are not expensive books, and it will be money well spent.




3. If you are interested in growing roses and want to try some that are not just your basic Hybrid Teas, this is a wonderful book to get. You will drool over the pictures and the text is excellent. The pictures take one page and are a gorgeous shots of the bloom with a long stem and leaves. On the opposite page is text which goes into great detail about the rose characteristics, growth patterns, habits, vigor, etc. It is an invaluable book when trying to decide what old garden roses to introduce to your garden.

   This format is so beautful and so useful, that I have purchased all of the gardening books in this "series" by this publisher. It is rare to get such excellent photos in combination with such useful text.

   I started growing roses about five years ago and became frustrated with Hybrid Teas because of blackspot and their generally fussy behavior and stiff, formal flowers. This book and Liz Druitt's book were instrumental in getting me to try old garden roses, and am I glad I did! I would highly recommend this to both beginning gardeners and experienced, alike.




4. Although this book isn't all-inclusive (after all, the title is 100 old roses), this is the book I reach for first. It's great when I'm trying to find out more information on a rose in a catalog, or looking for an old rose for a specific spot. First of all, I can't resist the pictures (but they may be slightly misleading as in the case of Blanc Double de Coubert which I've never seen growing with the great cutting stem as shown). Second, the text makes for amusing reading. It's oppinionated, and I like that. Third, there's the handy Index of Old Garden Roses by Color in the back. It's actually a little summary: flower style, plant type, and class e.g. Madame Isaac Pereire: cupped, tall, Bourbon. Very handy. The only thing that would make this better is if it had scratch and sniff (unfortunately not realistic)...since scent is such a subjective thing (I was so hot for Louise Odier until I smelled her and was surprised to find that I didn't like the fragrance).



5. This book is fabulous. I am a beginner and it covers each rose in depth. At the front of the book is fascinating history on roses. Especially how roses were such a commodity in the 1600-1700 & 1800's. They even stopped a ship blockade to let the roses in.

3 comments about Roses for Michigan.

1. If you live in any zone 5 or colder state and you're interested in growing roses this should be on your book shelf. Toss most guides which concentrate on tender Hybrid Teas and floribundas. This book will give you good information for growing roses in our weather, from selecting varieties to planting, to care.
   
   The book includes a huge section of rose variety information including a photograph of each rose, hardiness information, disease resistance, etc.
   
   The title says Michigan but really anyone living in zone 5 or colder will get great advice from this book.



2. "Roses for Michigan" was a real eye-opener for me. The only kinds of roses I'd previously had any luck with were war horses like Bonica and Blaze. Now I'm emboldened by this book to try some of my catalogue favorites: the lilac floribunda "Blueberry Hill," the beautiful red climber "Dublin Bay," and the hybrid tea rose "Dainty Bess" with her strong scent of cloves and unusual burgundy stamens.
   
   I live out in the boonies, so I order my roses through catalogues and the web. The authors of "Roses for Michigan" admonish me to be cautious when ordering from southern and western rose growers, as their roses "may be grafted onto Dr. Huey rootstock, which is not well-suited, in the long term, to Michigan."
   
   Maybe that's been my problem all along with grafted roses, because "Bonica" and "Blaze" are own-root.
   
   I checked out my favorite California catalogue, and they do not specify their root stock. I also wonder whether local nurseries get their roses from California.
   
   At any rate, the authors recommend buying grafted roses on "Rosa Multiflora" rootstock for Michigan gardens, or better yet, buy own-root plants.
   
   As with all of the Lone Pine garden books for Michigan, all aspects of buying and caring for roses are discussed, including a very useful chapter on planting roses. As I read through this chapter I began to realize why most of my attempts at introducing new roses were failures. Did you know that the recommended depth for the bud graft to be buried in colder areas (such as our state) is three to four inches?
   
   At the back of this book is a list of resources for Michigan rosarians: gardens to visit; rose societies and clubs; garden centers and suppliers; websites; and books.
   
   I just wish there could have been more advice in "Roses for Michigan" on how to prevent critters like deer, ground hogs, and rabbits from nibbling on my roses.



3. "Roses for Michigan" has everything in it that you need to know, to grow fantastic roses in colder climates. I can't say enough about this great book...other than if you don't have it....you better get it!!
   
   Thanks for the great book!!

5 comments about The Ultimate Rose Book: New Expanded Edition.

1. I love this book. I have been wanting to buy it for 2 years now and finally found it on amazon.com for much cheaper. At some stores this book goes for $100!

   I love it because it is HISTORIC and GOOD FOR GARDENERS! I like how the author talks about the rose in a mythical and realistic point of view. He gives history and information for scientists.

   I have never loved a book as much as I love this one. I treasure it. I am never going to let go of it. I especially love the front cover. The roses are all huddled together in different colors, and they almost appear as if they are people. The photography is magic!

   Simply said, if you love romantic style books with also some useful information about gardening this the one for you.




2. This is the first Rose Book in my collection; it is responsible for my interest in roses. It is the biggest book of my rose book collection; in height, thickness or weight. Its production qualities are high and more than a decade after purchasing it, it is a book I still hold dear.
   
   Over 1500 roses are presented, and for each there is a photo. The writing is clear and concise. And more than any other reference, we hear the writer's voice. When Macoboy particularly likes a rose, we know it. If he were writing a scientific reference, this may not be quite appropriate, but this personal voice brings us a step closer to viewing the roses as he does. And this draws us in.
   
   A few bits of crucial information are listed in tabular form, the rose's breeder, its class, and how fragrant the rose is. Entries are listed alphabetically in three main sections: Species Roses, Miniature Roses, All other roses.
   
   The book was published just after the commercial success of Austin's first remontant English roses and a handful of these roses are included.
   
   But almost twenty years after its first release (the edition I write about was printed in the late 1980's), the book is beginning to look and feel dated. There has been a huge amount of work in the area of minis and this section seems quite dated. A significant portion of the Hybrid Tea roses and floribundas are not in commerce - not even at specialty nurseries. And many of the most popular of these classes do not appear. To make matters worse, a noticable portion of the roses Macoboy treasures were distributed only in Australia, so European and American gardeners never would have had a crack at them.
   
   The photos are a mixed bag. On one hand almost every rose about which he writes is photographed. This is a monumental achievement. Few rose books come so close to complete photographic coverage as this one, and any that acheive full photographic coverage are less encyclopedic in scope and/ or present smaller photos. This may be the most photographically generous rose book in print.
   
   Most of the rose photos are pretty good. Many are excellent. And some of the excellent ones fill a whole large page. The layout is large and the feeling it creates is lush and luxurious. But a few of the photos are seriously flawed. One photo, for instance, is of a rose that is waving back and forth madly in the wind and all we can see about the rose is that the flower is reddish - the whole photo is a big smudge. And there are a few cases in which we have serious questions about color reproduction.
   
   So who should buy such a book? Well, if you are a rose-lover and wish to draw someone else into the field, this may be the best book to do it. The lavish illustration and infectious writing will do the trick better than just about any other book. And if you are a rose-lover and you want a coffee table book on roses, this may be the best choice. Or, if you know someone who is a little interested in gardening but knows nothing of roses and is afraid to take the plunge, this would be a good introductory gift.
   
   If you just want a reference, get Botanica's Roses it is more up-to-date and it presents more roses. And visit RoseFile.com for other info on roses and to get help finding more books about roses at Amazon.com.



3. This is an excellent book for those gardeners wanting information on many of the older hybrid teas and floribundas plus climbers that are carried by only specialized rose nurseries. This book also tells it like it is and so you get the negative aspects of some roses. Yes the book is VERY large but perfect to raise a small child to the table.



4. We all know that most women love to receive flowers - especially on Valentine's Day. This year I decided to do something different and give my wife, who loves roses and grows them, the "Ultimate Rose Book" instead of a bouquet that would only last a week. She abasolutely loved it! She has poured over it again and again, and will for years to come. The photography is gorgeous and information very helpful. We highly recommend it to any serious "Rose" person.



5. Beautiful book--makes me want to run out to the garden & see what roses I can plant.

5 comments about The English Roses: Classic Favorites and New Selections.

1. I love growing David Austin roses, reading about them and deciding which ones to add to my garden. I was disappointed with the quality of the paper and the printing has declined since the previous edition. I found it difficult to really see what a rose would look like in the garden when the backgrounds of the photos are all stark white.
   After having this book out on my coffee table for three months and making notes to decide which roses to buy I noticed that the binding is starting to tear. I feel that stardardizing this edition took away the charm and beauty of the previous edition. ams



2. With all this talk (by David Austin) of breeding a more attractive flower on a more attractive shrub, why didn't he include a picture of a mature shrub of each rose he was talking about?
   The book does have beautiful closeups of many, many, (I think 71) of his roses. And... there are pictures in the other sections of some of the rose bushes... but it could have been much more helpful if there were also a picture of each shrub, not just the close-up of the flower.
   But not to be forgotton, other than the beautiful flowers and the missing shrubs, David Austin's history of the English roses, etc, makes for interesting and educational reading.



3. a beautiful book with full explanatory notes on the roses. just a "gorgeous" book to hold and read. a real treasure by a master grower and developer of english roses.



4. My wife picked this book up when she got on a rose kick earlier this year. Although I'm more into jazz than flowers, I have to say this is a very impressive, beautiful book. For the most part, this book is pretty much a catalog of Mr. Austin's roses, but the layout of the book is especially user-friendly and approachable. Most of it has text on the left hand page and a full page picture on the right hand page accompanying the text. You always know what you're looking at and what the author is talking about. The nuggets about caring for roses and laying out a garden are embedded in the text; there's no comprehensive "how to" section for the beginner, which might be a negative point for some. And although the book is a little pricey, it really is pleasant to look at. This book will be revisited often not only throughout the rose growing season, but especially in anticipation of spring, when your eyes want to dwell on flowers and there's nothing but stems in the garden.



5. I love this book! It is almost as if I can smell the roses. There are beautiful pictures and suggestions how to apply roses in your own garden.
   
   I went on a holiday to the UK last year and visited the David Austin nursery. This book brings me back there. I love it!

5 comments about Roses.

1. I carry it with me to the nursery to make my selections. I'm a novice antique rose fancier with some particular geographic/climate needs, and this book makes it easy to determine what will thrive in my yard. There is a picture and detailed description of every rose in the book. The charts also make it easy to search for the right plant by color, flowering frequency, light needs, size, etc. I never shop for roses without carrying along this book.



2. Along with Ortho's "All About Roses", and HP Books' Roses, How To Select, Grow and Enjoy", this is the backbone of the easy way to learn about roses. As an introduction to some or the "mysteries" about growing roses, this book and the other two mentioned have no equals. The illustrations are great and there are a lot of color photos of rose varieties, making a good picture book as well as a good "How To" book. I think everyone who has an interest in roses will enjoy this book and also the other two mentioned.



3. After carefully comparing other books that provided comprehensive information on roses, I chose the Sunset Roses book and have not regretted it one bit. When I purchased the book, I had 4-5 roses in my garden, and now I have 52 (at the time of this writing ;-). I still refer to this book as a reference for pruning techniques, disease, planting and placement, and just as a wonderful review of the next rose I must have!
   
   The roses covered are certainly the most popular and easy to grow, and there is a section in the back that lists specific roses that are favorites of regional rosarians. So, for instance, if you are in zone 5-6 in Ohio, you can find best roses for the midwest/great lakes area, and so on. This is really valuable because a rose that will be a star for one gardener (such as Mr. Lincoln), might not perform well in another garden in a different part of the country.



4. I must say, this book was well worth the money. The information provided was very descriptive and the up-to-date pictures and reviews on the most current quality roses out there were beautiful! I highly recommend this book for any new rose growers out there and for the more hardened, the gallery of roses is a must!



5. This book was so well put together, pictures and illistrations were wonderful. would recomend to all.

1 comments about The Roses: The Complete Plates (Taschen 25th Anniversary).

1. THIS BOOK IS STUNNING!! WHEN I RECEIVED THE FIRST BOOK I IMMEDIATELY ORDERED A 2ND ONE. THE PICTURES ARE BEAUTIFUL FOR FRAMING. I LOVE REDOUTE'S WORK. THE ATTENTION TO DETAIL IS EXQUISITE. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE WHO LOVES ROSES, ESPECIALLY BOTANICAL PRINTS. I FRAMED SOME OF THE PRINTS AND THEY LOOK REALLY EXPENSIVE. ALL WHO SEE THEM THINK I SPENT A FORTUNE.

1 comments about Pink Ladies & Crimson Gents: Portraits and Legends of 50 Roses.

1. This little book is a delight and a treasure! I have read and re-read it several times, not to mention gifting it to several rose friends.
   
   The writing is informative, yet entertaining. The photographs are gorgeous and guaranteed to set a rose-lover off on a search for plants of their own. I recommend this one for your own collection, the night table in the guest room and to give to friends.

3 comments about Foolproof Guide to Growing Roses.

1. What first attracted me to this book was it's gallery of roses, the extensive chapter that describes numerous roses. After reading it, I realized that rose growing is more accessible than I thought, and I am ready to plant. Five stars!



2. My friends and family all know I'm crazy about growing roses and collecting rose books. I'm often asked for just one book that a beginner could use easily, yet still not outgrow as his experience and interest expand. I know a number of books that fill part of this need, but not all. Finally I have found one I can recommend without reservation. This book covers the range from modern roses to antiques, why to choose own root or grafted roses, how to handle diseases and pests, and how to prepare the soil. The general orientation is for organic methods, but he presents the information without being judgmental. You won't feel guilty if you spray your roses, but he'll tell you how to avoid it most of the time by choosing easy-care varieties well suited to your own climate. All this, and I haven't yet mentioned the beautiful photographs and helpful instructional drawings.



3. As someone who's just getting into gardening, I was pleasantly surprised to see that this book includes sections on topics like soil evaluation and composting in addition to the expected chapters on choosing, planting, and pruning roses. Another nice aspect is that the fertilization and pest control sections emphasize organic methods, but also list others if you need them. The layout is also attractive and makes the book a pleasure to read.

5 comments about Complete Guide to Roses.

1. I've just started collecting books on rose growing and gardening. This is a great addition to the collection. Good advice on gardening basics and great pictures. I highly recommend.



2. Whether you have roses and are having problems with them or wish to plan out a rose garden, Complete Guide to Roses is the item of choice, pairing color photos of roses and gardens with tips on transplanting, using fertilizers, and choosing the best roses for the climate. From how to prune to insights on and from the American Rose Society, COMPLETE GUIDE TO ROSES is more than a garden how-to book: it covers virtually everything having to do with roses.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



3. I purchased this book, along with several rose bushes, for my Mother for Mother's Day. She has always wanted to build a rose garden and said that this book would definitely help her get there.



4. This book contains both beautiful pictures and detailed information about growing roses. I purchased a new copy to replace the original one that I left out in the rain! I have referred to this book many times over the last few years in tending to over 100 roses in my garden...



5. Plenty of pictures and drawings. I got this to try to diagnose what was wrong with my roses. What I thought was a virus appears to be a lack of iron in the ground. Very helpful, more information than I need in regards to other rose types, but overall a very practical book.

5 comments about Roses for Dummies.

1. Book was actually better condition than described. Shippemnt and devilery were very prompt.



2. Very informative on a broad range of all things roses, but mainly on the surface-level; a good book for dummies, but not beyond.
   The color picture section was over-saturated, obviously not life-like colors.
   A good beginning and a quick read, but now I need to find a new book to continue learning about roses.



3. It doesn't cover all the roses that are available out there but there is a brief description of the roses that are easily available at most garden centers. I always check the book for any disease prone ones before I buy a rose.



4. If you want to know alot about Roses and taking care of them, this is the book too get! This book has alot of information! Highley recomended !!



5. I love roses, only I thought that they were hard to grow. Not with this book! I have two rose bushes that came with the house I bought last year, and they looked like they were dead. After learning about pruning, and various other aspects of rose growing, they are blooming like crazy!!
   
   This book has a great deal of information and will get you started in the right direction. I am so happy that I am going to plant a few a year in various places in my yard. As a person who needs detailed instructions on doing things, this book is 5 stars for my money!!