From Publishers Weekly
Roses are a varied, prickly bunch; so are the 33 prominent gardener-writers represented here. Combine the two and you have a colorful collection of essays that are wise, witty, informative and impassioned. Except for David Austin's paean to his own commercial line of roses, this "celebration" is not a pious homage. To Christopher Lloyd, who scandalized rose worshippers by removing the rose garden from his famous Great Dixter estate, "this ridiculously idolized shrub" represents "an infinite vista of pain and frustration." Yet he, along with a surprising number of like-minded fellow contributors, admits that "some roses are worth struggling for, after all." The late Henry Mitchell, happily present here as the subject of Allen Lacy's narrative, observed that "the average rosebush is nearly as ugly as anything in the floral kingdom." Still, he grew and hybridized them, naming one-now in Lacy's care-for his wife. The modern hybrid teas are included among only one writer's favorites and receive generally bad marks. A notable exception is Michele Lamontagne's moving account of the remarkable history of Peace. For the most part it is the Chinas, Damasks, Rugosas and Bourbons that win these gardeners' hearts, and there is enough balanced, practical information to inspire readers to try them. Readers can be especially thankful for the presence of the renowned rosarian Graham Stuart Thomas, who managed to complete his contribution before his death last April. Pamela Stagg's original watercolors add a beautiful note. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Daisies may be delightful and carnations as charming as they come, but it's hard to imagine either of them inspiring volumes of rhapsodic prose extolling their virtues. This, it seems, is the exclusive purview of the rose, at least as far as Winterrowd is concerned, and he's brought together 32 distinguished gardeners and garden writers to honor their favorite rose in a captivating collection of essays, exquisitely complemented by Pamela Stagg's sumptuous paintings. From Lauren Springer's lyrical tribute to the "Yellow Rose of Texas" to Allen Lacy's fond memorial to Henry Mitchell and the rose he named "Ginny," the essays are as regal as the queen of the garden herself. Heartfelt and humorous, intimate and illuminating, they reveal as much about the personality of the writer as they do about the particulars of the flower. Though much practical information is to be found, the anthology shines as an illustrious paean to the history and lore, the romance and grace, that have earned the rose these writers' affection and esteem. Carol Haggas
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Book Description
Thirty-three eminent gardeners on their favorite rose
Among the plant kingdom, Rosa is a relatively small genus, comprising only about one hundred species around the globe. But as these species intercross, they have given rise to as many as thirty thousand cultivars, making the rose perhaps the most various of all plants grown in gardens-and one of the most treasured.
This one-of-a-kind collection gathers together thirty-three eminent gardeners and rosarians, including Graham Stuart Thomas, Christopher Lloyd, Thomas C. Cooper, Joe Eck, Michael Pollan, Anne Raver, Page Dickey, Thomas Christopher, David Austin, Peter Beales, Dan Hinkley, and Jamaica Kincaid. Each writes about a favored rose--Rosarie de l'Ha
About the Author
Wayne Winterrowd is the author of three previous books on gardening, and a contributing editor of The Gardener. He also writes frequently for Horticulture magazine. He and his partner, Joe Eck, are cofounders of the garden design firm North Hill.
Roses: A Celebration: Thirty-Two Eminent Gardeners on Their Favorite Rose FROM THE PUBLISHER
Among the plant kingdom, Rosa is a relatively small genus, comprising only about one hundred species around the globe. But as these species intercross, they have given rise to as many as thirty thousand cultivars, making the rose perhaps the most various of all plants grown in gardens-and one of the most treasured.
This one-of-a-kind collection gathers together thirty-three eminent gardeners and rosarians, including Graham Stuart Thomas, Christopher Lloyd, Thomas C. Cooper, Joe Eck, Michael Pollan, Anne Raver, Page Dickey, Thomas Christopher, David Austin, Peter Beales, Dan Hinkley, and Jamaica Kincaid. Each writes about a favored rose--Rosarie de l'Ha
FROM THE CRITICS
The Washington Post
Focusing on a few of the more than 100 species of the genus Rosa, this is a picture-and-word book for flower aficionados, the kind of gift that would be welcome in lieu of flowers, and one for which any garden lover on your list would happily write a thank-you note.
— Evelyn Small
Publishers Weekly
Roses are a varied, prickly bunch; so are the 33 prominent gardener-writers represented here. Combine the two and you have a colorful collection of essays that are wise, witty, informative and impassioned. Except for David Austin's paean to his own commercial line of roses, this "celebration" is not a pious homage. To Christopher Lloyd, who scandalized rose worshippers by removing the rose garden from his famous Great Dixter estate, "this ridiculously idolized shrub" represents "an infinite vista of pain and frustration." Yet he, along with a surprising number of like-minded fellow contributors, admits that "some roses are worth struggling for, after all." The late Henry Mitchell, happily present here as the subject of Allen Lacy's narrative, observed that "the average rosebush is nearly as ugly as anything in the floral kingdom." Still, he grew and hybridized them, naming one-now in Lacy's care-for his wife. The modern hybrid teas are included among only one writer's favorites and receive generally bad marks. A notable exception is Michele Lamontagne's moving account of the remarkable history of Peace. For the most part it is the Chinas, Damasks, Rugosas and Bourbons that win these gardeners' hearts, and there is enough balanced, practical information to inspire readers to try them. Readers can be especially thankful for the presence of the renowned rosarian Graham Stuart Thomas, who managed to complete his contribution before his death last April. Pamela Stagg's original watercolors add a beautiful note. (Oct.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Library Journal
In this unique book, 33 notable gardeners and rosarians write essays about their favorite roses. Choosing a favorite rose among the thousands of varieties available today is of course a formidable task, but the writers each manage to select one that has special significance for them. Some write about roses that evoke childhood memories (Peter Beales on Maiden's Blush and Lauren Springer on Mister Lincoln), while others choose a rose based on its durability (Thomas Cooper on Betty Prior and Thomas Christopher on Old Blush). Others find certain roses special because the rose is simply not meant for their climates, like Ken Druse on growing Rosa banksiae Lutea in his Brooklyn garden and Jamaica Kinkaid on growing Alchymist in her Vermont garden. The book is dedicated to perhaps the most eminent rosarian of the 20th century, the recently deceased Graham Stuart Thomas, who here writes eloquently about his favorite rose, Souvenir de St. Anne's. Each essay is beautifully illustrated with a painting of the chosen rose by Pamela Stagg. This fascinating work is recommended for all collections.-Phillip Oliver, Univ. of North Alabama Lib., Florence Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Art & Photography
Book Info
