4 comments about A History of the Fragrant Rose.

1. There have been so many rose books on the market that one might wonder at the need for yet another - with no color photos, no less - but A History of the Fragrant Rose isn't about glossy photos. It's a survey of the rose's history and blends color artistic illustrations with a survey of the medicinal, culinary, and celebratory properties of roses from ancient to modern times. Engravings, paintings, and more embellish the story of how the rose flourished over the centuries to become the favored flower it is today.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



2. This book is extremely boring and really dry. I could not make it through 10 pages without deciding it needs to go back.



3. Except for a couple of brief mentions, everything stopped for this author in the 80s. Also the title is misleading, as there is little about fragrance. IT's a history of rose gardening with some interesting tangents but a great deal about specific gardens, mostly in England and a few on the continent.



4. There is no particular rhyme or reason to this book, it reads like some ancient Renaissance gentleman's idiosyncratic treatise on a pet subject. Lots of interesting tid bits to be found, but more or less of a muddle. Most of the color plates [at least the ones in the hardcover version] seem to have been chosen at random, they are not usually referenced in the text and tend to be only vaguely related to the textual content.
   
   I really wouldn't reccomend this to anyone other than a collector of books on roses or horticultural history.

5 comments about A Year of Roses.

1. Good book for those who have been rose gardening or want to start...



2. Wonderful,very informative. I could hardly put this book down. I will continue to use Stephen's information each month as a reference for my rose garden. I would highly recommend this book to advanced as well as beginner rose enthusiast.



3. A month by month look at tasks and related information important to growing and enjoying roses. Scanniello, a prolific writer on the subject, includes some esoteric and often charming advice. Recommended reading for anyone wishing to add to their expertise, whatever their current level...



4. 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.



5. 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.

No comments about Language of Roses.

2 comments about The Rose.

1. 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.



2. 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!

No comments about Roses Amazing Tips, Tricks & Tonics!.

5 comments about Smith & Hawken: 100 English Roses for the American Garden (Smith & Hawken).

1. This book gives you general information on popular English roses. Many books of this kind are too specific on growing the plant and unattractive for a non-enthusiast,but well-balanced descriptions in this book are fun to read for everybody. The author gave a short explanation on the name of each rose, and you will not be bothered to try to remember a Shakespearean character whom the rose was named after. The reason I did not give 5 stars is that the visual info on the bloom is not enough. Most of the photos show only the plant in full bloom and does not help you to imagine how they appear in the process of blooming.



2. 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 each variety and great practical tips on how they'll perform. Handy size makes it an easy companion on shopping trips too. Good ideas on rose care but could use a few more illustrations on pruning, for example. Overall, very well done....and a visual treat too.



3. 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 botanical dictionary or Harvard degree to get some down and dirty tips on how to make my rose garden shine. Mr. Martin brings himself into my garden when I take the book with me along with my gloves. I'm able to learn more than just latin botanical names as I go through the histories and anecdotes Martin shares from his years of experience. Makes me feel like I have a little deeper connection with the plants in my border when that happens. His insight and humor make this field guide the tops for everyday use. I had to buy a second copy just so that I wouldn't have to worry about the rips and soil smudges on the original one. Can't wait for the next in the series; hear it's supposed to be coming out soon. Thank you Mr. Martin!



4. 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 very pleased with it.

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

   I'm tired of having my roses eaten alive every spring, so I decided to pull out all the hybrids and fall back and regroup. This book takes me back to the old roses that are a little more hardy and can put up with Washington DC weather patterns.

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

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

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

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




5. 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.

5 comments about R is for Rose.

1. Carolyn Parker's book is like a friendly chat over a cup of tea, and at the same time it makes her extensive knowledge of roses accessible to a non-gardener. Her magnificent photographs and her care-full description have given me a heightened awareness of plants and flowers I might once have passed by or taken for granted. The stories Carolyn Parker tells are charming and so appreciateve of her fellow human beings, be they rose experts she traveled the world to meet or a friend she grew up with. In addition, she honors and celebrates her own inner growth as she writes. I think this book is actually a self-help book of the highest kind.



2. R is For Rose is a feast for the senses, nourishment for the soul and a roadmap for the passionate rose lover. As readers, we are invited and ushered along on Ms. Parkers wonderous and journey of rose gardens. This remarkable quest of an intimate exploration of roses, leaves the reader satiated with an abundance of knowledge and a wealth of new possibilities. The photography of this volume is sumptuously beautiful. Images combined with clarity of language and inspiration of voice, embrace the reader, while adoring the perfectly formed petals scattered throughout the pages of this book.



3. R is for Rose is Carolyn Parker's unique tribute to her passion for the rose. It is a lovely book with wonderful photography, heartfelt prose and a wealth of information about rose varieties. Rosarians will love the book and those with milder affections will savor the views of gardens and species roses. Her photography is fantastic and her design aesthetic is sharp, inventive and compelling--the floral arrangements and set shots are gorgeous. My favorite element is the rose alphabet--what a fantastic idea and what a clever play on the physical qualities of each species.



4. It's a beautiful book of photos on roses with lots of ideas on how to use them.



5. I thought I would post this bit of an email from my sister. It is a lovely tribute to the power of the rose and how well it is caputred in Carolyn Parker's book.
   
   > Aunt Ruth's move to the Nursing and Rehab Center has been very
   > difficult for her. She is having a hard time adjusting, and she cries
   > a lot.
   >
   > So, earlier this week, I took in R is for Rose to show her the
   > pictures. She stopped her crying, and for more than a few minutes,
   > she enjoyed the beauty of the photos.

No comments about Reader's Digest Gardener's Guide to Growing Roses: All the Techniques Needed for Successful Rose-Growing, Plus a Gardener's Directory of Key Varieties.

2 comments about Rose and the Clematis.

1. 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 and plant up my garden for me!




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

2 comments about Beautiful American Rose Gardens.

1. I was drawn to this book by the stunning pictures of roses and rose gardens. However, it is the wealth of valuable information on EVERY aspect of roses that make this one of my all-time favorite gardening books.

   This book would make an excellent present for the neophyte and expert gardener alike. The author's passion is contagious. A great read and highly recommended




2. Beautiful American Rose Gardens is a good but not a great book because too many of the rose gardens discussed in this book are too large (acres and acres). The pictures are wonderful and descriptions are well written and I recommend that rose lovers read this book. However, the book doesn't give enough detail into how a reader can create their own rose gardens, especially if they are not professional rosarians or wealthy enough to afford professional gardners. Most of the gardens in this book are owned by rose retailers or rich or famous people like Bob Hope.