The English Roses

by Austin, David

• ISBN13: 9781554074457
• ISBN10: 1554074452
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-01-01
• Publisher: Firefly Books Ltd

Summary

Exquisite photographs of classic favorites and new selections of David Austin's collection of beloved blooms grace every page of this book. Austin revolutionized rose gardening by restoring the viability and popularity of the old roses, and in The English Roses he describes in detail 40 recently developed varieties in addition to 40 of his best-loved and time-tested favorites.He presents his entirely new classification and recounts how he set out to create the English roses. In eloquent prose he clearly reveals his passion for these roses and his lifelong dedication to their improvement. The authoritative text describes:The distinctive qualities and fragrances of English roses The original old rose hybrids Musk hybrids, alba hybrids, the "Leander group" Climbing roses, cut-flower roses Growth habits, flower form, foliage and name origin Valuable cultivation tips Austin's favorite garden designs How to cut and arrange roses.

Table of Contents

Preface

The Origins and Nature of an English Rose

The Rose

The Idea of the English Rose

The Ancestors of the English Rose

The Qualities of the English Rose

The Art of Fragrance

The First English Roses

A Gallery of English Roses

The Old Rose Hybrids

The Leander Group

The English Musk Roses

The English Alba Hybrids

The Climbing English Roses

The English Cut-Flower Roses

Some Earlier English Roses

English Roses in the Garden

The English Rose as a Garden Plant

English Climbers in the Garden

Rose Gardens

English Roses in the House

The Future of English Roses

Growing English Roses

Index

Trade mark rights of English Roses

Acknowledgements and credits

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

Preface English roses have developed considerably since I wrote my previous book in 1993. Many new varieties have been introduced while others -- now considered to be inferior -- have been dropped. As a result, the beauty of English Roses, both in flower and in growth, has been greatly enhanced. Health and vigour has also been improved. Not only have English Roses developed in beauty; they have also broadened widely in the range of their beauty, so that as we walk around a garden of English Roses we can always come across something different. As a result of all this, it has become necessary to divide them into six sub-groups, each with its own particular character, so that gardeners may better understand them and enjoy them more completely. These six groups are described for the first time in this book. The new Climbing English Roses are among the most interesting. With all these developments, it is only natural that we have had new insights into the way in which English Roses can be used in the garden. The greater range opens up further possibilities, all of which are discussed in Part III. Creating a book of this kind is inevitably a team effort and I would like to take this opportunity of thanking all those who have made a contribution: Andrew Lawson, Howard Rice, Ron Dakin and others, for their magnificent photographs; Erica Hunningher, not only for editing the book, but for providing so much wise advice; Ken Wilson for his elegant design; and not least, Diane Ratcliff for her work, patience and skill in typing the manuscript and helping me generally in my task. Finally, I would like to thank my son David J. Austin, without whom English Roses, as we know them today, would not have been possible.