The Old Rose Advisor, Vol. 2

Herein the reader will find a unique, authoritative, and gorgeous guide to the reblooming "old" roses, those wonderful plants developed primarily before 1920, many of which are still available to lend distinction and grace to today's gardens. The author has exhaustively examined original material from France, the United Kingdom, and North America to obtain not only the fullest descriptions and cultural directions ever compiled for these delightful roses, but also the complete history of the development of each group--including, in many cases, remarks by the original breeders themselves. Extensive appendices are provided to assist in the identification, selection, and understanding of cultivars, 2332 of which have entries in this monumental work. Stunning color plates by artists of the era meticulously illustrate these lush blossoms. For those who love roses, this book is truly a rare treasure, celebrating not only their history. From those cultivars favored by visual beauty, but also their fascinating Spain's Moorish conquerors to the favorites of French royalty and Dutch burghers, the author weaves the complex tapestry of rose history for our enjoyment. While writing with the home gardener in mind, Brent Dickerson has also paid very special attention to the needs of the rose researcher and horticultural historian. In short, The Old Rose Advisor will appeal equally to those who want to know--as well as those who want to grow--these very special cultivars of a plant which has been a favorite since the earliest days of history.

Library Journal

Dickerson combines his interests in horticulture, history, and belles lettres in this new work on ``old'' roses, plants that were introduced primarily before 1920. The author himself quotes the aphorism that ``owing to the indispensable nature of this work, it makes no positive claim to the character of an original composition, in the strict acceptation of that term.'' And with few exceptions, the work is comprised of quotes and advice from rose writings published between 1790 and 1920. A key to the text (and original authors) is found in the first of three extensive bibliographies. More than 2300 old rose cultivars are listed, accompanied by 282 color plates reproduced from a copy of the 1877-1914 Journal des Roses . The appendixes include information on how to identify a rose, and lists of roses by year of introduction, breeder or introducer, and color. Libraries with horticultural history or comprehensive rose collections may want to acquire this heavily historical treatment of old roses. For a beginning book on cultivation, consider Liz Druitt and G. Michael Shoup's Landscaping with Antique Roses ( LJ 2/1/92).-- Virginia A. Henrichs, Chicago Botanic Garden Lib., Glencoe, Ill.