Roses Without Chemicals

February 1, 2015

Many gardeners shy away from growing roses because they are labor intensive, requiring spraying and coddling to keep them looking their best. The Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden at the New York Botanical Garden, where Kukielski worked as a curator for eight years, was recently renovated, and the author's decision to go chemical-free implemented. Here he covers the basics, including which rose varieties are the most disease resistant, practices to help maintain a healthy garden, and how to use companion plants with roses. Kukielski also provides a list of roses that do the best in certain geographical locations throughout the United States. A highlight of the book is a directory of 150 varieties that have met the criteria of disease resistance, fragrance, and flowering capacities. Each flower is noted with a photograph, a description summary, and a rating based on the previously mentioned standards. Companion roses are also listed for each variety. VERDICT This valuable guide for gardeners wanting to try roses that are less disease-prone is recommended for public libraries and horticultural collections.--Phillip Oliver, Univ. of North Alabama Lib., Florence

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