Roses for Dummies

By Lance Walheim, The National Gardening Association, Editors of the National Garden Association

Book Overview

"American Beauty," "Dublin Bay," "Rocketeer," "Betty Boop," "High Noon," "Pearly Gates..".with a distinctive name for each of hundreds of varieties, the array of roses that could adorn your garden is both dazzling and daunting. So which ones survive hardily on their own for weeks on end, and which ones wither and die without constant attention? How do you tell a climber from a shrub, and how does each thrive? And don't even start with pruning Despite all the (ahem) thorny particulars, gardeners still love to grow these beautiful flowers that would by any other name still smell as sweet. Roses for Dummies does away with the myth that roses have to be high maintenance, instead showing how to choose a type that will blossom in your care. Inside, rosarians of all levels will find useful information on: Shopping for roses Planting Watering and mulching Fertilizing Pruning Protecting roses from weather and pests And more Roses for Dummies contains everything you need to know to get started, or, if you're more advanced, refine your knowledge of roses. Now in a new Second Edition with more than 100 new varieties described, as well as new information on insect and disease control, this helpful guide also covers: Landscaping with roses What makes a rose fragrant Roses and their partners in the garden Growing in containers Drying roses and making potpourri Rose societies and other places to see roses Ten roses to avoid if you're not an expert Whether looking for nothing more than a sweet-smelling decoration to brighten your doorstep, or looking to enter a major rose competition, discoveries about this much-loved flower await you. Full of pointers, resources, pitfalls, vocabulary, and an eye-popping full color insert, this book will help you grow the roses of your dreams.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764552023
• ISBN13: 9780764552021
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: For Dummies
• Length: 351 Pages
• Weight: 1.62 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 1.3" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

This book gave me the courage to be ruthless.

You can tell from the other reviews that this book has the strengths and weaknesses of the other Dummies Books. So, I will tell you how this helped me. Twice, this book has helped me. First, I bought a Lady Banks (Rosa banksiae) rose; I did not realize that they grew VIGOROUSLY and could spread over twenty feet. This was a small area. After reading this in the "Roses for Dummies" book, I ran outside and saw Lady Banks reaching for my cat. She (the rose) was moved to a location where she could go wild. My cat has recovered. The most important thing I learned from this book was that you have to be ruthless when it comes to pruning. Before the book, I snipped and trimmed my floribundas, as any sane person would do with their favorite hedge. Well, it got gnarled and mildewed. So, back to the book, I went to find in chapter 19 that the proper way to shear this particular type of rose was under the heading of "The sheer pleasure of pruning floribundas and polyanthus." After that, I did not even need to read the mildew section. The only dummy is the one who does not buy this book.

Excellent book

This book is excellent. I just decided to take planting roses as a hobby and this was the book I was looking for. It explains everything from choosing a rose plant, the different types of plants, how to plant them and how often to water them, how to prune them, etc. The very basics, just what a novice needs to learn.

I'm no Dummy, anymore....

I've been growing roses for a few years and my mother and grandmother are avid rose gardeners. I thought I knew a fair amount on the subject, but I learned SO MUCH from this book. Great for the beginner and experienced rose grower. And the photos are beautiful (would have liked more). This book can make anyone feel comfortable growing roses and will help ensure their success!

This book's definitely a keeper for rose growers

I have almost 40 rose books in my collection and I've read them all cover to cover, some many times. I didn't expect what I got from this book - new information that that wasn't included in weighty books for serious rose growers. This book demystifies the culture of roses, gives good advice in an easily read style. Its a great read and a painless way to learn enough to go right into rose growing - whether its just a couple of roses or major rose beds!