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EXCELLENT.
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Roses is a comprehensive guide to over 1100 roses from earliest times to the present with more than 1000 photographs in full color. It is of value to experienced rosarians and beginners alike.
There is a general discussion on the care and cultivation of the various rose classes, offering advice on every aspect of growing roses. This is followed by the roses themselves, arranged alphabetically by class. The classes are listed chronologically. The most ancient roses, the wild roses, are first. Presented in this way, the reader can appreciate how the more modern classes gradually emerged, and gain some understanding of the lineage. If you are looking for a particular rose but are not certain of its class, there is an extensive index which cross references both botanical and common names.
Each variety contains information abuot parentage, origin, common names, flowering times, plus a complete description of the rose itself and its cultivation requirements. Most of the roses are illustrated with photographs.
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Roses is useful not only for selecting and caring for roses but for identifying "mystery" or "found" roses as well. It is an invaluable, as well as a beautiful and fascinating, reference tool and a worthy addition to any rosarian's library.
