Everyone who reads my blog on a regular basis knows how much I love roses. I simply can't help it they are my favorite flowers and always will be.
So when I was approached by Firefly Books offering me the opportunity to review "The English Roses, Classic Favorites & New Selections", Third Edition, by David Austin, the legendary English rose breeder, I was really excited.
I adore almost all roses, with a few exceptions, but I do have a special appreciation for roses bred by David Austin. Many of his rose creations have that extra special something that makes a rose stand out from others. I currently grow nine different varieties bred by him and have three more on order, which for my small garden is quite a high number.
The first thing that caught my eye in this book is the amazing quality of the photos of individual roses, but also pictures showing roses in garden settings. I say it right away this book is a feast for the eyes and that is exactly what I am expecting from a book written about roses. It should capture the natural beauty and grace of roses and this book delivers.
But it doesn't stop there. The content is equally fascinating and informative. The book is divided into three main parts. The first is dedicated to explaining the origins and nature of the English Roses, the second describes many older and newer varieties of English Roses in detail and provides a photo of each, and the third part addresses the future of the English Roses and gives tips about their cultivation.
I found it very interesting and educational to read in David Austin's own words how he has developed his beautiful roses to date, what his breeding goals were, and what his criteria are for a good rose that is worth releasing into commerce. For David Austin it is not only a beautiful flower that counts, but also the fragrance of the rose, the whole overall appearance of a rose bush, the disease resistance and the vigor, and the ability to re-bloom freely.
Especially the chapter about rose fragrance was fascinating to me. In modern rose breeding many breeders have not paid that much attention to fragrance and as a consequence, many modern roses have lost their fragrance at all. I really find that a pity, since smelling a rose to me is as pleasurable as seeing its beautiful blooms. Obviously, fragrance is a top priority for David Austin in his breeding program and most of the English Roses are highly fragrant, which in my eyes is a big plus.
I like that this book is very informative and you can read it from A-Z, but you can also use it as a coffee table book and simply flip through it over and over again and enjoy the beautiful photos. Since many varieties that David Austin has bred are introduced in detail it is also a good reference book and gives you the opportunity to use it as a guide if you want to choose a David Austin rose for your own garden. All in all, I have a feeling that you will love this wonderful book as much as I do! It woud also make a lovely gift. Just go and check it out for yourself!
David Austin
The English Roses
Classic Favorites & New Selections
Third Edition
ISBN-13: 978-1-77085-326-3
ISBN-10: 1-77085-326-X
Disclaimer: The book was provided to me by Firefly Books for review, but all opinions are entirely my own. This post contains affiliate links.
I have put up an Amazon affiliate link on my sidebar. When you order this book or other products from Amazon through my blog I will receive a small commission with no additional costs for you, which I will use towards caring for my own garden and running this blog. I would be very pleased if you would consider supporting me, my garden, and my blog in this way. Thank you very much!
Christina
So when I was approached by Firefly Books offering me the opportunity to review "The English Roses, Classic Favorites & New Selections", Third Edition, by David Austin, the legendary English rose breeder, I was really excited.
I adore almost all roses, with a few exceptions, but I do have a special appreciation for roses bred by David Austin. Many of his rose creations have that extra special something that makes a rose stand out from others. I currently grow nine different varieties bred by him and have three more on order, which for my small garden is quite a high number.
The first thing that caught my eye in this book is the amazing quality of the photos of individual roses, but also pictures showing roses in garden settings. I say it right away this book is a feast for the eyes and that is exactly what I am expecting from a book written about roses. It should capture the natural beauty and grace of roses and this book delivers.
But it doesn't stop there. The content is equally fascinating and informative. The book is divided into three main parts. The first is dedicated to explaining the origins and nature of the English Roses, the second describes many older and newer varieties of English Roses in detail and provides a photo of each, and the third part addresses the future of the English Roses and gives tips about their cultivation.
Especially the chapter about rose fragrance was fascinating to me. In modern rose breeding many breeders have not paid that much attention to fragrance and as a consequence, many modern roses have lost their fragrance at all. I really find that a pity, since smelling a rose to me is as pleasurable as seeing its beautiful blooms. Obviously, fragrance is a top priority for David Austin in his breeding program and most of the English Roses are highly fragrant, which in my eyes is a big plus.
David Austin
The English Roses
Classic Favorites & New Selections
Third Edition
ISBN-13: 978-1-77085-326-3
ISBN-10: 1-77085-326-X
Disclaimer: The book was provided to me by Firefly Books for review, but all opinions are entirely my own. This post contains affiliate links.
I have put up an Amazon affiliate link on my sidebar. When you order this book or other products from Amazon through my blog I will receive a small commission with no additional costs for you, which I will use towards caring for my own garden and running this blog. I would be very pleased if you would consider supporting me, my garden, and my blog in this way. Thank you very much!
Christina
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