Reliable roses

Though roses may be among the most intimidating residents of any garden, Harkness reassuringly examines the most forgiving floribunda, hybrid tea, shrub, and climbing roses for use by amateur and accomplished gardeners alike in Reliable Roses0 . --Carol Haggas Copyright 2004 Booklist

For rosarians, here are two new handbooks. In Reliable Roses, Harkness, the designer of more than 20 Gold Medal exhibits at the Chelsea Flower Show in London, selects 75 rose varieties that are supposedly easy to grow and, per the title, reliable. In introductory chapters, he explains how the elements affect the lives of roses and how to choose and buy roses. Bush roses (floribunda), shrub roses, and climbing roses are then profiled in terms of flowering, plant, and foliage properties, as well as a star rating and an overall assessment rating; symbols depict height, spread, and fragrance characteristics. Strong photos illustrate planting and pruning techniques. Unfortunately, the guide falls short of its major goal-recommending low-maintenance varieties. Many featured roses are described along the lines of "not healthy enough to survive without attention and work" or "a bit fussy and [performs] much better in its ideal conditions." The author does not discuss which climates are "ideal," and since the book is written from a British perspective, many readers may be frustrated by this oversight. The price tag is also hefty for such a slim volume. A U.S. hardiness zone map and an international list of suppliers are included. An optional purchase for public libraries. [A Garden Book Club selection.] Every year more gardeners are discovering the joy of old-fashioned roses, which are not only beautiful and fragrant but also easier to grow and more disease-resistant than most modern roses. Hybridizer David Austin broke new ground when he introduced his "English" roses, which display the characteristics of old-fashioned roses but also have the ability to rebloom like modern roses. In Old-Fashioned and David Austin Roses, Taylor, author of three previous rose books, discusses the history of old and Austin roses, covering each class with a basic introduction and profiles of the most popular varieties available to gardeners. A chapter on cultivation offers practical horticultural advice for growing these roses, and a brief chapter on landscaping discusses how these roses can be used in the garden. Beautiful photographs and an attractive layout render this book appealing to beginners. A hardiness zone map and a list of suppliers are also included. Recommended for public libraries.-Phillip Oliver, Univ. of North Alabama Lib., Florence (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.