Roses: A Celebration [Hardcover]

Wayne Winterrowd (Editor), Pamela Stagg (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 18, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0865476616 | ISBN-13: 978-0865476615 | Edition: First Edition

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

Editorial Reviews

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

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: North Point Press; First Edition edition (October 18, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865476616
• ISBN-13: 978-0865476615
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,793,895 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, October 7, 2003

By 

W. Oliver (Alabama) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Roses: A Celebration (Hardcover)

This book is a collection of 33 essays written by rosarians, writers, artists, nurserymen, etc. on their personal favorite rose. It is delightful reading and the book comes at a good time, when most gardeners are settling in for the winter months to dream about next year's gardening.

The majority of the writers here prefer the old roses although there are a few modern ones as well. Graham Stuart Thomas, the great rosarian who died in April 2003, writes about his favorite rose "Souevenir de St. Anne's," Peter Beales recalls "Great Maiden's Blush" which brings back his childhood memories and Christopher Lloyd writes about his love/hate relationship with roses in his garden at Great Dixter. Other writers included are:

Jamaica Kincaid (Alchymist)
Anne Raver (Roseraie de l'Hay)
Allen Lacy (Ginny)
Michael Pollan (Mmd. Hardy and Cuisse de Nymphe)
Lauren Springer (Mr. Lincoln and Harrison's Yellow)
David Austin (Eglantyne)
Thomas Fischer (Mrs. Oakley Fisher, Golden Wings, Darlow's Enigma)
Lloyd Brace (Astrid Lindgren)
Anthony Noel (Variegata di Bologna)
Peter Schneider (Corylus)
Rory Dusoir (Mutabilis)
David Wheeler (Graham Thomas)
Mirabel Osler (Rosa sancta)
Page Dickey (Rosa pimpinellifolia Double White)
Mac Griswold (Veilchenblau)
Thomas Cooper (Betty Prior)
Wayne Winterrowd (Comtesse du Cayla)
Julie Moir Messervy (Learning to like Roses)
Jane Garmey (New Dawn)
Rosie Atkins (Bengal Crimson)
Cynthia Woodyard (Kiftsgate)
Ken Druse (Rosa banksiae 'Lutea')
Thomas Christopher (Old Blush)
Joe Eck and Wayne Winterrowd (Rosa glauca at North Hill)
Tovah Martin (Logee's 'Rosette')
Michele Lamontagne (La Rose de la Paix)
Dan Hinkley (Rosa rugosa)
Fergus Garrett (The Turkish Rose)
Pamela Stagg (Konigin von Danemark)
Joe Eck (Rose Hips)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An impressive and informative collection of essays, November 15, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Roses: A Celebration (Hardcover)

What attraction do roses have that other flowers lack? Editor Wayne Winterrowd posed this question to over thirty eminent fellow gardeners, gathering their insights and responses in Roses: A Celebration, an impressive and informative collection of essays which tell of special roses and the horticultural decisions which went into the special enjoyment of roses over other flowers. The perfect gift for that rose enthusiast who already has all the basic gardening guides.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Celebrating Roses, March 9, 2007

By 

Rosewest (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Roses: A Celebration (Hardcover)

As a new rosarian, I have been seeking books about roses and rose gardening. This book is a series of essays accompanied by beautifully detailed colored illustrations that I am tempted to clip out and frame for my walls. The book arrived in perfect condition. The essays are thoughtful, poignant, intelligent and witty. Highly recommended.