No comments about Victorian Roses: More Embroidery and Pastimes for the 21st Century/With Print and Pattern.

No comments about Rosas: Manual de cultivo y conservacion (Expert series).

4 comments about Random House Book of Roses (Random House Book of ... (Garden Plants)).

1. If you are looking for a book which will allow you to see many different kinds of roses, this is it. This book is packed with pictures of roses. An added bonus is that these pictures are not "perfect" pictures of roses - the roses are pictured as they would appear in your garden. Many are shown in all stages of bloom, from bud to full blown rose. There is a very interesting section on the history of roses, and many wild roses are shown growing in their countries of origin. The only thing I didn't care for about this book is that the roses are not arranged alphabetically within their divisions. However, use of the index makes it easy to look up any rose you might have in mind. This is a great book to dream over during the winter!



2. Learning about roses from what's available in your local garden centers or through the major rose suppliers' catalogues doesn't even HINT at the incredible diversity of types of roses. This is a book to fire the imagination and open the eyes to extraordinary possibilities. The 1400 rose photographs are wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. The book uses a seldom seen and tremendously useful technique, in some cases, to show you roses of a certain category all laid out in a single perfect photograph. If you want, for example, a yellow rose, then its so useful to see them all together to compare and contrast their blooms. If appearance is a strong criteria in your rose selection and you'd like something besides the frequently average roses the commercial rose people are pushing, take a look at this book!



3. Excellent illustrations, but not in alphabetical order within groups. The index will direct you if you are looking for a particular rose. Not as informative or comprehensive as the Ultimate Rose Book, which is my preference. But it would be a nice addition to your library.



4. When I first got this book I wasn't impressed with its layout. However, after using it and other reference books for 9 months I find it has the BEST photography for clarity when identifying a rose and it has roses listed that are not in other reference books. I've been able to identify some "mystery roses" because of the excellent and very natural appearance of the roses photographed. It's been an excellent reference source and I highly recommend it.

No comments about Rosas/roses.

3 comments about Taylor's Guide to Roses (Taylor's Gardening Guides).

1. This book is great if you're trying to determine which roses will work best for your zone. However, be aware that if you're looking at this book as a resource/color guide for cut flowers, garden flowers and the roses you buy from a florist are different! These are garden favorites(with a few hybrids).

   Best to buy this selection to help you decide on what's right for your zone/region. And hey, its $5 cheaper than it is at Garden.com!




2. All of the Taylor books seem to be written for non-western gardens. I have 4 of their books and yet whenever I want to look up a plant I've seen in a nursery I rarely find it in these books. This is not the book you want if you are hoping for a good resource for roses. This is a guide book, when you want to look up a rose you saw at a nursery to find out a little more about it. The book divides the roses by class so if you are like most people and looking to buy a hybrid tea this book has fewer than 100. There are thousands and thousands of roses on the market, the odds that you will find it in this book is nil unless you are looking for Peace or the most common. This is a small book, you could spend your money better elsewhere. I recommend Botanica's Encyclopedia of Roses.



3. The Taylor's Guide to Roses is, like its companion volumes, handy to have around as a supplement to other books on roses. In itself it is neither complete nor entirely reliable; however, its many attractive photos are useful, especially for people who are not familiar with the various classifications of roses. I particularly appreciate that it gives equal space to old roses, shrub roses, and species, as the round of hybrid teas grows tiresome to the eye and these plants deserve far more garden space than they receive.

   Overall, best used as a visual aid for form--color, as in any book, is subject to the vagaries of nature and photography.

1 comments about The Rose: An Illustrated History.

1. This large coffee-table book features beautiful rose illustations, many never seen before, from the archives of the Royal Horticultural Society. The artists include John Lindley, Alfred Parsons, Mary Lawrence and of course probably the most famous rose artist of all time, Pierre Joseph Redoute. The author also includes an introduction to the history of rose cultivation, from 5000 years ago in China when species roses were grown and he discusses how these roses were used by present day hybridizers to create our modern-day roses. Many of these roses' history have been unknown but recent DNA analysis has helped solve the mysteries of their heritage. Highly informative or just beautiful to look at, this is a beautiful book.

5 comments about Classic Roses.

1. Publishers, please bring "Classic Roses" by Peter Beales back into print! I bought a copy for a friend and now I can't bear to give it up. It has everything for the rosarian: thousands of enticing color photographs and descriptions (the author's own collection of roses numbers well over 2,000 species and varieties); extensive chapters on using roses in the landscape (even if your 'landscape' happens to be an apartment terrace), the care and cultivation of roses, the history of roses; and at the back of the encyclopediac text, there are extensive appendixes, indices, a glossary of terms, and suggestions for further reading.

   Peter Beales is also a pleasure to read--very British; very knowledgeable; and it is very obvious that he loves his subject. I have only two minor suggestions for "Classic Roses" if it is once again revised: include U.S.A. climate zones for the roses; include photographs of all (not most) of the roses (I'll bet the author wanted to do this and the publishers wouldn't let him).

   As fond as I am of my friend, "Classic Roses" and I are never going to part company.




2. This is not a coffee table book. Though the pages are high-quality paper, the photos excellent and plentiful, and the binding high-quality, the book is essentially a meaty reference. If there were a college course on roses, this might serve as a texbook.

   Beales starts as most authors do by talking about rose history, culture and using roses in the garden. It is clear that Beales is not so interested in roses as show-bench trophy fodder but as vital elements of a user-friendly and colorful garden. This sentiment shows in his selection of cultivars.

   The bulk of the book is descriptions of roses. Beales has developed the most complete shorthand available for expressing all the things you wish to about a rose: how well it does in the shade, which diseases it gets, when it blooms, how big and bushy the plant is. This means that his text entries can focus on the facets of the rose that make it unique in the garden. In other words, he manages to convey the same amount of information as would a book twice the heft of this very hefty tome.

   The book does a commendable job covering all old rose classes, climbing roses, shrub roses, species, and near-species cultivars. It is the over-fat classes of Hybrid Perpetuals and Hybrid Teas, that have pricipally recieved the editorial hatchet. And since Beales considers only 2000 or so cultivars, this book is good for culling out the considerable amount of dross among roses - especially among hybrid teas.

   If you know you will never use roses for any purpose than cutting or showing on a bench, this book will be of only peripheral use. But if you yearn to understand how roses can work in a garden setting, this is one of the best buys around.




3. I purchased this beauty along with Botanica's Roses, from Amazon. WOW was I delighted! Between the 2 I have almost every rose info I could imagine. It is well worth the money and a must have for every rosarian. I have 40 roses so far and found the info very useful in my continued purchases. (ex: I live in the NW and have wet weather...many roses dislike wet and don't open properly. The books reveal which are poor choices for my such climate. Now that is USEFUL information!)

   Of course it goes without saying that the author knows his roses and the pictures are, well, drop-dead gorgeous (as are in the Botanica's Roses book.)

   A 100% must have, along with Botanica's.




4. As its name implies, Classic Roses emphasizes older garden roses and species roses. Its organization by subgenus and section (e.g., "Synstylae") is useful to botanists, but more idiosyncratic for gardeners, especially as most modern roses have ancestors from many species. The book does cover Hybrid Teas and more recent introductions, even including over 50 of David Austin's "New English Roses" up to and including `Scepter'd Isle' (1996). It is not as easy (i.e., a 2-step process via the index) to find specific cultivars as in the similar-sized and also excellent American Rose Society Encyclopedia of Roses, but this book has slightly more cultural information on most varieties, as well as longer - and excellent - chapters on rose history, "Roses in the Landscape" and "The Cultivation of Roses." This book also has a very useful appendix of cultivars by height and narrowly defined (e.g., 4 different yellows) colors. To actually come up with my personal "Rose List" (a 1-page Excel sheet I bring to nurseries) I have primarily used the much smaller (200 page) but in its own way very useful Peter Schneider on Roses - which is limited to that rosarian 's favorite varieties - but of course one also has to have a reference tome or two.



5. As its name implies, Classic Roses emphasizes older garden roses and species roses. Its organization by subgenus and section (e.g., "Synstylae") is useful to botanists, but more idiosyncratic for gardeners, especially as most modern roses have ancestors from many species. The book does cover Hybrid Teas and more recent introductions, even including over 50 of David Austin's "New English Roses." It is not as easy (i.e., a 2-step process via the index) to find specific cultivars as in the similar-sized and also excellent "American Rose Society Encyclopedia of Roses," but this book has slightly more cultural information on most varieties, as well as longer - and excellent - chapters on rose history, "Roses in the Landscape" and "The Cultivation of Roses." This book also has a very useful appendix of cultivars by height and narrowly defined (e.g., 4 different yellows) colors. To actually come up with my personal "Rose List" (a 1-page Excel sheet I bring to nurseries) I have primarily used the much smaller (200 page) but in its own way very useful "Peter Schneider on Roses" - which is limited to that rosarian 's favorite varieties - but of course one also has to have a reference tome or two.

5 comments about Ortho's All About Roses (Ortho's All About Gardening).

1. Although this is primarily a beginner's book, it is also a useful book for more experienced rose growers, in that it's a good review of general growing techniques. It is well illustrated with pictures of how to plant, prune, and care for roses, as well as having many color photographs of rose varieties. A rose grower must always keep in mind the area where he lives and especially the climate. Many roses grow well in some climates or some areas and not in others. Keeping that in mind, the list and photos of rose varieties are highly useful. Most of the "How To" information applies to all areas. This book is a great asset when combined with talking to local people and noticing roses that grow well in one's own area.



2. This book is excellent for beginners; it covers all aspects of growing roses, from selection and planting to pruning and disease control. It doesn't assume the reader has any prior knowledge, so it doesn't use obscure phrases or terms, and it explains things in a clear, east-to-understand way. The best "basics" book on roses I've seen.



3. I received this book a couple of days ago from Amazon, and while the information and photographs are helpful, the pages are falling out. It's a paperback and it just seems to be pretty shoddily put together. Kind of a hassle to have to return it especially since I live in Europe.



4. This book is like the Bible for Roses. It is full of tons of useful information. A must have. Your Roses will thank you :)



5. I got this from the library and had to add it to my gardening collection. It's compact, but has lots of useful information, from rose care to good ideas on how to select and use particular rose varieties and a big photo section showing favorite roses. I've had a lot of fun looking at it again and again. If you only want one rose book, I don't think you could go wrong with this one. If you already have lots, like me, you'll still find this useful and enjoyable!

4 comments about Growing Roses Organically: Your Guide to Creating an Easy-Care Garden Full of Fragrance and Beauty (Rodale Organic Gardening Book).

1. Growing Roses Organically: Your Guide To Creating An Easy-Care Garden Full Of Fragrance And Beauty by garden designer and horticulturalist expert Barbara Wilde is a fabulous, full-color guide to creating a beautiful organic garden tailored to the rose-lover's tastes. Direct, simple instructions and details on a wide variety of roses enhance this superb reference which is ideal for gardeners of all skill levels. From the basics of getting started; through issues such as watering, fertilizing, pruning, disease and insect infestation; to the details of designing rose gardens (included the Mixed Border; Wild Gardens, Hedging, and Wildlife Gardens), Barbara Wilde writes with an accessibility that is as informative as it is easy-to-apply. Of special note is chapter ten, "A Gallery of Roses". If you aspiring to growing a garden of roses, begin your preparations by giving Barbara Wilde's Growing Roses Organically a careful reading!



2. This is a practical, pretty, and highly useful book for anyone who wants to smell the roses, especially in climates less temperate than the west coast.

   The number of roses included is far from encyclopaedic, but for the roses Ms Wilde does include, she reports thoroughly on on their disease susceptibility, growth habit, hardiness, fragrance, and more. In nearly all cases, a gorgeous color photo accompanies. In fact, stripped of its useful information, this book would still be a fine buy for its large color photos. Before the gallery of roses, you'll find clear and helpful instructions about how to prepare for planting and how to accomplish the actual planting. Although the emphasis obviously centers on organic methods, this is a fine general reference on growing roses.

   The book itself seems reasonably well put together. I haven't spent months poring over it yet, but I do not have the early feeling of dread when a poorly glued book seems ready to fall apart in my hands. Probably part of the reason is that the book is large enough to be helpful, but not so large that its very size works to break it apart. The format, in other words, allows for some large and luscious eye candy, but it is not as big as many modern illustrated gardening books which should really come with their own stands.

   Photographs, clear drawings, and lucid instructions and descriptions make this book a pleasure to own and and treasure to use.




3. This book is an outstanding resource not only for rose gardeners, but also for gardeners in general. I learned all sorts of useful facts about growing plants organically. The book is beautifully written and easy to understand. The illustrations are excellent.
   This book is attractive enough to be given as a gift.
   Wilde has given us a treasure:
   her vast experience and great love of gardening.



4. I am a big fan of organic gardening, but I just can't agree with the other posters here who've raved about this book. I'm glad it's not the first one I've read on organic gardening or on roses. If it had been, I think I would have given up! Wilde makes it sound entirely too complicated, especially for the typical home gardener. Also, not that many roses are featured, and information on them (fragrance,etc differs from what I've read elsewhere and/or experienced in my own garden. An OK book, but be sure you read others and go to the excellent site help me find dot com to get some perspective. Visit local gardens to see what does well. And don't be afraid to experiment in your own garden, keeping it simple as much as possible. If you 1.) choose roses known to do well in your area, 2.) plant them properly making sure they have plenty of sun, food and water, and 3.) cultivate them cleanly, keeping their bases free of fallen leaves and debris - the job is mostly done. ENJOY YOUR ROSES!

1 comments about Roses (Rodale's Organic Gardening Basics).

1. This is a handly little book with lots of useful information for the beginning rose gardener. I like how it outlines the differences between floribundas, grandifloras, and hybrid tea roses. It also explains how to fertilize and the types of organic fertilizers available. But the most useful chapter of the book describes how to control pests and diseases organically. It also comes with a handy little calendar. I just wish the book was a little bit longer than 98 pages.