Roses

Roses documents 1,400 varieties of roses with photography and detailed cultivation information. The book catalogs both historical and modern roses, including wild species, old garden roses, and contemporary hybrids. Phillips provides guidance on rose selection, planting techniques, pruning methods, and pest control. Each rose variety features photographs of the flowers, along with data about growth habits, fragrance, flowering periods, and optimal growing conditions. The book includes historical context for different rose classifications and breeding developments over time. Cultural notes explore the roles roses have played in gardens, art, and society across multiple centuries and civilizations. This comprehensive reference work reflects humanity's enduring relationship with roses as both practical garden plants and symbols of beauty and romance. The documentation of rose varieties traces changes in cultivation practices and aesthetic preferences across generations of gardeners.

Readers value this book as a practical guide for growing and identifying roses. Many reviewers mention referring back to its photos and descriptions for years, particularly appreciating the life-sized images that show accurate colors and details. Gardeners highlight the book's usefulness for selecting roses, with reviews noting the clear organization by rose type and detailed growing instructions. Multiple readers mentioned successfully choosing and cultivating roses based on the guidance. Common criticisms focus on the book's age (published 1988) and lack of modern rose varieties. Some readers found the text dense and technical for beginners. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (52 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (65 ratings) Sample review: "The photographs are exceptional - this is the only rose book I've found that shows exactly what the blooms look like in real size. Worth it for the visuals alone." - Amazon reviewer Another reader notes: "Good reference but dated. Many roses listed are no longer available."

The Complete Book of Roses by Gerd Krussmann This encyclopedic volume contains cultivation information and photographs for over 2,000 rose varieties, including heirloom and modern breeds.

The Graham Stuart Thomas Rose Book by Graham Stuart Thomas The text presents historical research, growing techniques, and classifications for old garden roses through modern hybrids.

Classic Roses by Peter Beales This reference work catalogs rose species and cultivars chronologically from ancient times through the twentieth century with detailed growing notes.

David Austin's English Roses by David Austin The book documents the development and characteristics of English roses with propagation methods and planting combinations for gardens.

The Quest for the Rose by Roger Phillips, Martyn Rix The work traces the history and evolution of roses through different cultures and time periods with botanical illustrations and species descriptions.

🌹 Roger Phillips pioneered the use of color photo identification guides for plants, revolutionizing how gardening books present information 🌹 The book contains over 1,400 photographs of roses, each taken in natural light against a plain background - a signature technique that Phillips developed 🌹 Phillips photographed roses from major collections worldwide, including prestigious gardens like Mottisfont Abbey and the Huntington Botanical Gardens 🌹 The author not only photographs and writes about roses but also cultivates them in his own London garden, which has been featured in numerous magazines 🌹 "Roses" includes detailed information about both wild species roses and cultivated varieties, tracing their evolution from ancient Chinese gardens to modern hybrids