'Botanica's Roses' a useful reference for all rosarians

MARGARET C. CROOKS, GANNETT NEWS SERVICE

"Botanica's Roses" by William A. Grant. (Laurel Glen, $19.95 paperback)

"What luck to have a rose book you can read in bed ..." William A. Grant says in his foreword. But he doesn't tell you that the book weighs more than 3 pounds.

Some of the world's leading hybridizers and rosarians were consultants to this book for rose lovers of the world. More than 2,000 roses are listed, most with color photos. Hardiness maps of the world are included.

Rose classifications are given for the American Rose Society, World Federation of Rose Societies and the British Association representing breeders. Each is different. For instance, if you are lucky enough to get to the Chelsea or Hampton Court flower shows in England, the roses will be classified totally different from an American rose show.

This is an exceptional reference, valuable to beginning rose growers or those who have grown them for 50 years. Basics of culture are touched upon. Each rose is described in detail -- how it can be expected to behave in the garden, how it should be pruned, etc., from the wild roses to the newest hybrids.

Margaret C. Crooks is a horticulturist and writer. Only questions of general interest will be answered. Readers can e-mail her at pcrooks@greenvillenc.com. She is past president of Garden Writers of America. Readers can send garden problems to her in care of the Asbury Park Press, 3601 Highway 66, Neptune, Box 1550, NJ 07754-1551.

The Olympian Copyright 2001

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