The rose - a quintessential part of an English garden. Discovered more than 2000 years ago, it has been highly prized ever since for its floral beauty and scent. No longer are gardeners tied to the old hybrid teas and floribundas once so frequently found growing in isolated beds. Today's modern breeding offers ground covers, patio roses, weeping standards and the new repeat-flowering English roses. Disease resistance too is increasingly common, banishing the days of fortnightly spraying against black spot and rust. From the rampant 'Kiftsgate' to the diminutive miniatures, there are roses for every situation and garden plot. Mixed in herbaceous borders, covering arches, growing in pots on the patio, the rose has yet to lose its position in the popularity stakes. Written by renowned rose breeder Mark Mattock, "Roses for the Smaller Garden" highlights these new developments taking place in the rose industry to accommodate today's limited gardening spaces and gardener's busy lifestyles. Beautifully photographed portraits of 80 specific varieties by Linda Burgess give a clue as to why people fall in love with this flower and regularly vote it Britain's favourite plant. This is a refreshing look at one of civilizations oldest flowering plants, giving a modern slant to their myriad uses. Detailed instructions on buying, planting, pruning and aftercare are given in an easy-to-follow form to enable even those previously daunted by the apparent complexities of a rose's care to understand. From designing with roses to their care and propagation, a clear picture is given in this attractive work aimed at beginners and experienced gardeners alike. Hopefully it will inspire those unfamiliar with this centuries-old favourite to give them a place in their gardens.
