From Library Journal
Long neglected, antique roses with their extravagantly blowzy flowers, quite unlike the tight-petaled blooms of their modern cousins, hybrid teas, are deservedly enjoying renewed popularity. These two titles by British rosarians are evidence of this trend. Scarman, owner of an English nursery that specializes in old-fashioned varieties, presents a beautifully illustrated directory of 150 roses as well as chapters on plant design, companion planting (with examples of innovative combinations), and basic care. Although Beales, a commercial rose grower and daughter of renowned old-rose specialist Peter Beales, intended her Rose Basics as a general guide to growing all types of roses, she features many heirloom roses worthy of cultivation. Particularly useful is the chapter on roses for difficult conditions, such as shade and poor soil; such information is often neglected in basic rose culture guides. Because both of these titles were written for a British audience, they lack specific critical advice for American gardeners, i.e., appropriate rose selection and care for the highly diverse climatic regions of the United States. For such information, readers should turn to Rayford Reddell's A Year in the Life of a Rose: A Guide to Growing Roses from Coast to Coast (LJ 11/15/96) or Judith McKeon's Encyclopedia of Roses: An Organic Guide to Growing America's Favorite Flower (LJ 9/1/95). Nevertheless, these new titles should be included in general gardening collections.ABrian Lym, City Coll. Lib. of San Francisco
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Book Description
The rose is one of the most popular and celebrated of flowers and the beautiful, old-fashioned varieties featured in this book never lose their charm. Gardening with Old Roses is an essential companion for all those gardeners who love old-fashioned roses, but who need guidance on how best to use and care for them. John Scarman helps you recreate the style and joys of rose gardens such as those planted by Gertrude Jekyll and Vita Sackville West. He gives ideas for planting roses as they used to be, with other herbaceous plants, and shows how to prune them and keep them healthy. Featuring: * Directory of Old Roses -- a beautifully illustrated catalogue describing 130 of the finest old roses and their planting uses * Designing with Old Roses -- covers all the elements of design involved in planning a rose garden and in using roses in beds, border, arches, pergolas and arbours * Companion Planting -- creative ideas for stunning plant associations with old roses, including climbers, spire-flowered plants and dramatic foliage plants to offset roses * Caring for Old Roses -- all the information you need on pruning, spraying, planting and transplanting, and soils and fertilisers Both practical and inspirational, this book is the most comprehensive available on the subject.