ROSA: THE STORY OF THE ROSE

Peter E Kukielski and Charles Phillips

The social, cultural and horticultural history of the rose is entertainingly and thoughtfully displayed in this exquisitely produced hardback title. Supported by more than 140 colour illustrations, the narrative in the nine chapters, each usefully distilled into bite-sized sections, takes a world view on the rose’s rise to fame, spanning fossil history, use in world cultures to developments in modern breeding. Yale, £16.99.