The Graham Stuart Thomas Rose Book
Graham Stuart Thomas'The Old Shrub Roseswas first published in 1955, hisShrub Roses of Todayappeared in 1962, and hisClimbing Roses Old and Newcame out in 1965. The three books have now been revised and enlarged for this new compiled edition, and new illustrations have been added along with "Notes on the Origin and Evolution of Our Garden Roses," C. C. Hurst's classic essay on the subject written in 1941. Thomas, now 85, is the author of 15 other garden books and garden adviser to Britain's National Trust. In this luxurious book, Thomas lists hundreds of roses, each with the plant's garden forms, varieties, hybrids, the name of the raiser, and the date it was introduced. He describes in detail the plant's leaves, blooms, height, and growing season. But the book is more than just a list of roses; Thomas includes an essay on the appeal of roses, one on old shrub roses, one on wild roses, one on climbers and ramblers, and another on cultivation, pruning, and fragrance. This is truly a comprehensive work on the subject, with 158 color photographs and paintings. Some of the paintings are by the author, as are 21 pencil drawings.George Cohen