Reliable Roses

A no-fuss guide to growing roses written by a rose expert.

Too often gardeners are intimidated by the many practical requirements of growing roses. This book shows how to grow a garden of roses successfully with surprisingly little effort.

Even the newest gardeners can enjoy the natural beauty, fragrance and exquisite colors of roses.

Here, the objective is enjoyment more than labor. This easy-care guide provides all the critical steps that ensure perfect roses every time:

• Planning and designing a rose garden
• Selecting the roses that are right for your garden
• Planting, the growing cycle and pruning
• Maintenance and how best to enjoy your roses

Helpful sections cover how to identify key rose-growing locations in a garden, deciding between old and modern bush or climber varieties and the best places to buy roses. Seventy-five varieties are identified from Alberic Barbier to Warm Wishes including shrub and climbing, long-flowering, versatile, fragrant and easy-to-grow roses.

Another useful section identifies the varieties of roses that give the best results with a minimum of fuss. Quick reference pictograms indicate a rose's growing zone, ease to succeed and relative performance for the space the plant will take.

Reliable Roses is the perfect handbook for gardeners of all levels who want to add the beauty of roses to their gardens.

Philip Harkness has designed and overseen the construction and display of more than 20 Gold Medal winning exhibits at the Chelsea Flower Show and is the former Chairman of the British Rose Growers Association. He is the author of The Rose.