I love all different kinds of roses. But if they can't take my garden/soil/climate/conditions, and being grown organically, out they go! Fortunately, I've found that roses are tough workhorses. Sure, there are some that are wimps, but there are many that are as tough as nails.
Still, even I have the occasional problem with my roses. But since I am adverse to spraying chemicals in my garden, when I have problems, I look at the solutions presented in
The Organic Rose Garden
by Liz Druitt
Not only are there solutions in this book, but it is full of great information for anyone wanting to grow roses organically.
What I love most about this book is the way Liz Druitt writes. She writes as if she were talking to another gardener. Of course, there's lots to love about this book. She starts at the beginning: soil basics, and design thoughts. Then she goes on to the acquiring and planting of roses, maintenance of the garden beds, and problems you may encounter.
That is enough for one book, but she doesn't stop there! She lists all the different rose classes, has a quick reference chart by size, color, and class, and almost half the book is a list of roses that thrive in organic gardens (like Red Cascade, pictured above, which is still blooming in my garden!). I was actually surprised to find how many roses she recommends that I have growing in my own garden. And now I have a great reference when I want to add more roses to my garden! What I especially liked is this list covers all classes of roses.
She finishes the book with a discussion of roses as food, and I am dying to try her Rose Petal Pound Cake! It would be luscious with her Rose Petal Jam!
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Now it's your turn! This will be the final Garden Book Review meme I will host, and my last post for the year. So, I want to wish everyone a very, very Merry Christmas and a rosy New Year!
