The Old Rose Advisor [Hardcover]

Brent C. Dickerson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1992

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.

Editorial Reviews

From 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.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Book Description

A unique & authoritative guide to the reblooming "old" roses, those developed primarily before 1920 that still lend distinction to today's gardens. More than 2,300 cultivars are listed, with reproductions of rare botanical illustrations of these glorious damask, china, tea, & bourbon roses.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Timber Press, Incorporated (July 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881922161
• ISBN-13: 978-0881922165
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.8 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,442,715 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Important Work, December 8, 2000

By 

A. Flores (Albion, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Old Rose Advisor (Hardcover)

This monumental piece of research establishes Brent Dickerson as one of the most important rose historians of our time. Dickerson has painstakingly unearthed, translated, and indexed the information from countless antique nursery catalogs, archival notes by hybridizers, and garden journal articles to offer anecdotal, contemporary commentary on thousands of old rose cultivars. It is fascinating to read what the growers of past centuries had to say about the roses which were entering commerce and being introduced to gardens and public collections during their times. Often a rose which, in our own time, proves to be difficult due to some predilection for disease will have that tendency confirmed in the comments of a rose grower (sometimes the hybridizer himself) who was growing the variety as a "new" introduction decades ago. The contemporary descriptions of roses which have vanished from nurseries and the show tables can be invaluable in helping modern rosarians in their quest to identify the plants that "rose rustlers" find in old cemeteries and ruined gardens from the past. Together with Dickerson's more recent book, The Old Rose Adventurer, the entire array of rose varieties introduced prior to 1920 is covered in great depth. These books are a "must" for the serious student of the genus Rosa.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From the Author . . ., April 4, 2001

By 

Brent C. Dickerson "BCD" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Old Rose Advisor (Volume 2, 2nd Edition) (Paperback)

This is volume two of the new enlarged, updated, improved edition of *The Old Rose Advisor*, the breakthrough work which brought a new level of interest and accuracy to the study of old roses, those fragrant, opulent varieties bred before 1920, many of which are still available to grace the choicest gardens of today. Readers of the globally-acclaimed first edition will know that the book is built on actual statements by those who lived in the times in which these roses were new and the object of intense scrutiny; indeed, many of the descriptions are those supplied by the breeders themselves! This new edition has many additional entries, and has been re-formatted to increase ease of use by the reader. Additionally, new material has been tapped to augment many of the old entries, and continuing research has yielded new information, included here, updating names, attributions, dates, parentages, descriptions, and indeed rose history. Volume Two includes chapters on Noisettes and Climbers, old Polyanthas, and old Hybrid Teas--in each case, the fullest treatment in modern times of each group; this volume also includes the updated extraordinarily detailed and helpful ten appendices to both volumes, appendices which help the reader to select and identify old roses. The reader will be interested as well in Volume One, also in release now. Come, join in the elegance and richness of another exciting world of Rosedom!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From the Author . . ., April 4, 2001

By 

Brent C. Dickerson "BCD" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Old Rose Advisor (Volume 1, 2nd Edition) (Paperback)

This is volume one of the new enlarged, updated, improved edition of *The Old Rose Advisor*, the breakthrough work which brought a new level of interest and accuracy to the study of old roses, those fragrant, opulent varieties bred before 1920, many of which are still available to grace the choicest gardens of today. Readers of the globally-acclaimed first edition will know that the book is built on actual statements by those who lived in the times in which these roses were new and the object of intense scrutiny; indeed, many of the descriptions are those supplied by the breeders themselves! This new edition has many additional entries, and has been re-formatted to increase ease of use by the reader. Additionally, new material has been tapped to augment many of the old entries, and continuing research has yielded new information, included here, updating names, attributions, dates, parentages, descriptions, and indeed rose history. Volume One includes chapters on Damask Perpetuals, Chinas, Teas, Bourbons, Hybrid Bourbons, Hybrid Chinas, Hybrid Noisettes, and Hybrid Perpetuals--in each case, the fullest treatment in modern times of each group. The reader will be interested as well in Volume Two, also in release now. Come, join in the elegance and richness of another exciting world of Rosedom!