Lance Walheim

"American Beauty," "Dublin Bay," "Rocketeer," "Betty Boop," "High Noon," "Pearly Gates"...with a distinctive name for each of hundreds of varieties, the array of roses that could adorn your garden is both dazzling and daunting. So which ones survive hardily on their own for weeks on end, and which ones wither and die without constant attention? How do you tell a climber from a shrub, and how does each thrive? And don't even start with pruning! Despite all the (ahem) thorny particulars, gardeners still love to grow these beautiful flowers that would by any other name still smell as sweet. Roses for Dummies does away with the myth that roses have to be high maintenance, instead showing how to choose a type that will blossom in your care. Inside, rosarians of all levels will find useful information on: Shopping for roses Planting Watering and mulching Fertilizing Pruning Protecting roses from weather and pests And more Roses for Dummies contains everything you need to know to get started, or, if you're more advanced, refine your knowledge of roses. Now in a new Second Edition with more than 100 new varieties described, as well as new information on insect and disease control, this helpful guide also covers: Landscaping with roses What makes a rose fragrant Roses and their partners in the garden Growing in containers Drying roses and making potpourri Rose societies and other places to see roses Ten roses to avoid if you're not an expert Whether looking for nothing more than a sweet-smelling decoration to brighten your doorstep, or looking to enter a major rose competition, discoveries about this much-loved flower await you. Full of pointers, resources, pitfalls, vocabulary, and an eye-popping full color insert, this book will help you grow the roses of your dreams.