12 OF ELIZABETH’S FAVOURITE ROSE BOOKS

The Makers of Heavenly Roses

by Jack Harkness (1985) Interesting biographies of many of the great rosarians of recent years. I found this book so readable; Jack Harkness brought the amazing characters to life for me.

The Rose

by Jennifer Potter (2010) My book for the desert island. An extremely comprehensive book about roses covering everything other than rose cultivation – art, literature, history, medicine, fragrance – it has it all in tremendous detail.

Roses and Rose Gardens

by Walter P Wright ( 1911) A comprehensive book about roses and rose growing. I particularly like this book and have included it here because of the beautiful prints of paintings by Beatrice Parsons that have been glued inside.

Methuen Handbook of Roses

by Eigel Kaier ( 1965) Wide ranging in its information, including cultivation, history, art, rose gardens. It may not have the depth of information of some books but it does have the most amazing illustrations by Verner Hancke.

The Complete Book of Roses

by Gerd Krussman ( 1981) This detailed and erudite book by the German author Gerd Krussman was recommended to me by the Royal National Rose Society and has proved invaluable when researching many aspects of rose growing.