While they say that you’re not to judge a book by its cover, it’s hard to pass up one that’s bright, bedecked in roses, a renowned rosarians name as author and the title Roses for Northern California. The book literally flew off the bookstore table into my hands. This is a brand new book, subtitled, “144 Roses for Northern California” was just published (2007), and written by Muriel Humenick and Laura Peters. You may have heard Muriel’s name – she has been a very active member in our district, as well as being the owner of Rose Acres, her garden and nursery up in the Gold Country.

Interestingly, while the book focuses on Northern California, the authors are quick to point out the vast differences in climate within our area due to the diverse topography and influence of the Pacific Ocean – twelve USDA temperature zones! As such, their choices of roses includes those that can flourish anywhere from the prolonged dry heat of summer in the Sacramento area to the foggy belt along the coast. Having grown more than two thirds of the roses highlighted in the book, I think they’ve made good choices.

This compact guide runs 272 pages, the first third or so being devoted to rose basics – history, anatomy and terminology, uses, buying and planting, caring information, propagation and managing pests and diseases. The remainder of the book focuses on the recommended roses for our area organized into nine groups – species, old garden, modern shrub, groundcover, climbers and ramblers, hybrid teas, floribundas, grandifloras and miniatures. A full page is devoted to each rose, with physical dimensions (height, spread), flower size, color and hardiness and a narrative on the particular attributes of the rose.

If you are looking for a good book on rose basics, and particularly which roses may do best in our climate, this vinyl clad, washable covered (great if you’re taking it out in the garden) book may be for you.

This is a completely remodeled Ortho guide that is endorsed by the American Rose Society. Its 256 pages are filled with information – topics include selecting the right rose, using roses in the landscape, care, pruning, planting and protecting roses, creating and multiplying them, and a gallery of excellent rose photographs and descriptions that include many very new varieties. There is also a handy detailed rose care calendar by month.

BEST ROSE GUIDE - A COMPREHENSIVE SELECTION,
by Roger Phillips and Martin Rix

The premier book of probably of all the hundred plus rose books I have is the latest by Roger Phillips and Martin Rix entitled Best Rose Guide – A Comprehensive Selection. This is not just another coffee table book. It has exquisite photos on glossy paper that make the more than 280 pages a hefty read. But it is an absolutely incredible book. Building on their prior rose guide successes, they include photos and detailed descriptions of roses from around the world, with plenty from our area included – The San Jose Heritage Rose Garden, Berkley Rose Garden, Roses Acres and more. The book includes some general descriptions of each class of book, but it is first and foremost a guide to individual roses.

R is for ROSE - Reflections from a Passionate Rose Lover,
by Carolyn Parker

We all know that spring is right around the corner – soon we’ll be able to romp in our gardens among the boisterous blooms. Looking out the window right now, it’s kind of hard to believe, with the rain and cool temperatures. Rather than belabor the fact that it’s still winter, you can have nearly as good a romp through the wonderful new rose book, R is for Rose. I’ve got more than a hundred books devoted to roses, and this one by far, is the most SCRUMPTOUS book of all. The truly voluptuous photos alone are just about good enough to eat!

R is for Rose, Reflections from a Passionate Rose Lover, was published in the U.S. in 2005. Author Carolyn Parker, a New York fashion designer and stylist turned passionate gardener and floral photographer, created both the words and pictures in this incredible book. First published in England and Australia, she in fact has her garden in Lafayette, California, so you’ll find her information very applicable to our Marin gardens.

This is no ordinary coffee table book. While the 200 plus glossy pages will make you want to have it out to immerse yourself often in the images and prose, it’s both informational and inspirational. Carolyn, in fact, goes through roses A to Z, focusing on a different rose for each letter of the alphabet. (She even writes out each letter imaginatively in roses.) The descriptions of the rose are included, but each of the chapters provides more than that – guidance on rose care or floral design, possibly some wonderful descriptive story or recollection regarding the particular rose. You’ll find old garden roses like Rosa foetida, David Austin roses, modern roses, and lots of others. There are enticing and creative arrangements of roses – ways to present roses you’ve never seen before.

In the opening chapter entitled “The Gift of Roses”, she writes,

“Roses offer many gifts: beauty, color, fragrance, presence, variety, diversity…. They inspire joy, internal communion, creativity, art, poetry, pastime, celebration, life change transformation……

When I finally had the opportunity to grow roses, I found the blooms, no matter how small, gave me more than I gave them. Each new discovery seemed profound and miraculous. While gardening, an internal dialogue opened that prompted wishes to share my story and the wonder of roses.”