Synopses & Reviews
Gertrude Stein famously wrote, "A rose is a rose, is a rose." In the rose world, that would mean that all roses are the same: they all grow, smell, and perform the same. Nothing could be further from the truth.
In Roses Without Chemicals, Peter Kukielski, the former curator of the New York Botanical Garden's Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden, highlights 150 rose varieties that are different in the most important way--they excel in gardens without the use of chemicals. Many gardeners have tried to grow roses, only to give up once they realize how dependent on pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers they are. Roses Without Chemicals eliminates this problem by featuring plant profiles for roses that have been hybridized to be disease resistant. The book includes a primer on care, with information on planting, pruning, and pests. Plant profiles feature a color photo, along with information on color, growth habit, and fragrance. The book also features lists of roses, arranged by color, growing habit, and region.
With this guide in hand, you can finally choose the right rose from the start and successfully grow them in an organic and sustainable way.
Review
“Peter’s ratings for fragrance, flowers, and disease resistance make it easy to choose the right rose for your garden. I wish I had this when I planted my rose garden twenty-five years ago. I am now about to plant another garden, full of wonderful rose varieties and I intend to follow Peter's advice wholeheartedly." Martha Stewart
Review
“A valuable guide for gardeners wanting to try roses that are less disease-prone.” Library Journal
Review
“Don’t ever shop for roses without this book in hand.” Pacific Northwest Magazine
Review
“An enormously valuable book.” American Gardener
Review
"This authoritative book about growing roses sustainably is a timely addition to the gardener’s bookshelf. It discusses pests and predators, lists suitable insect-friendly companions and goes into basics, such as pruning. It also defines each rose group, and recommends the healthiest choices. An ideal reference book for those new to the subject.”
Gardens Illustrated
Synopsis
I wish I had this when I planted my rose garden twenty-five years ago. I am now about to plant another garden, full of wonderful rose varieties and I intend to follow Peter's advice wholeheartedly. Martha Stewart
Have you tried to grow roses, only to give up once you realized how dependent on pesticides they are? In this lush guide rose expert Peter Kukielski highlights 150 rose varieties that excel in gardens without the use of chemicals. Roses Without Chemicals features information on planting, pruning, and pests; plant profiles that include a color photo and details on color, growth habit, and fragrance; and helpful lists of roses organized by color, growing habit, and region.
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Synopsis
Spray no more! Roses have a reputation for being finicky garden plants that require chemicals and fertilizers to stay healthy and disease free. Fortunately, recent breeding efforts have produced disease-resistant varieties that perform beautifully in all kinds of conditions. Peter E. Kukielski, former curator of the award-winning rose garden at the New York Botanical Garden, highlights 150 of these tough, new varieties, rating them for disease resistance, flowering, and fragrance. He also tells which perform best in each region and teaches simple cultivation techniques that will result in gorgeous, easy-care gardens filled with healthy roses.
About the Author
Peter E. Kukielski is the former curator of Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden New York Botanical Garden. He implemented a 2007 renovation project of the Rose Garden with a new mission based on disease resistance and sustainability. Under Peter’s leadership, the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden received the Great Rosarians of the World Rose Garden Hall of Fame Award for 2010 and was voted “America’s Best Public Rose Garden Display’ by the All American Rose Selections (AARS) committee. Peter came to New York from Atlanta, Georgia, where for over 10 years he owned and operated a Rose Garden Business called The Rose Petaler, Inc. Peter was the primary consultant on the new Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Rose Garden in Richmond, Virginia, which was featured on the cover of American Rose magazine. Peter is contributor and co-editor of The Sustainable Rose Garden – A Reader in Rose Culture.